Medications used in assisted reproduction

Normal fertility has been defined as achieving a pregnancy within two years by regular unprotected intercourse. However, many regard infertility as the failure to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Approximately 10% of couples experience difficulty conceiving a child. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is now a widely accepted treatment for unexplained infertility; the live-birth rate per treatment cycle ranges from 13% to 28%.1 It has been 30 years since the first child conceived after IVF was born in the United Kingdom in 1978.1 The first birth following IVF treatment in Australia occurred in 1980. Currently more than 45,000 IVF treatment cycles take place each year in this country.' In 2006, there were 10.5 assisted reproduction technology (ART) cycles per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15 to 44 years). which resulted in over 8,400 live births.' In most developed countries, ART represents 1% or more births. In Australia ART represents almost 3% of total births." Most costs associated with IVF are reimbursed via Medicare (including up to 80% of out of pocket expenses). The number of attempts at IVF is unlimited, and treatment is open to women over the age of 40 years, for whom IVF is likely to be less effective than for younger women. This article will briefly discuss the medications used in assisted reproduction.