If you’re starting your In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) journey, the first stage is exciting, if not a little daunting – after all, there's so much to take in. As you start to find out what's involved in your fertility journey, understanding the medications involved is crucial.
IVF involves a carefully designed series of medications to regulate a woman's menstrual cycle, stimulate egg production, and support embryo implantation.
Here's a quick guide to what these drugs are, what they do and how they are administered.
Down regulation regime
(Prostap or Buserelin)
There are two types of stimulation regime, the consultant will discuss what is suitable for you. Occasionally, we down regulate your cycle prior to stimulation. Down regulation is done to help supress your own natural ovarian function. We do this using a medication that 'switches off' natural ovulation and hormones.
These medications can be administered daily or a one off dose given subcutaneously.
Follicle Stimulating Hormones/Gonadotrophins
(Gonal-F, Meriofert, and Ovaleap)
Now we can stimulate follicle growth using medications which contain follicle-stimulating hormones.
The dose of this medication is tailored specifically to each patient These are also taken as subcutaneous or under-the-skin injections. During this time, we’ll perform ultrasound scans to monitor follicullar development
GnRH antagonists
(Ganirelix or Ovamex)
In the short IVF protocol, we need to suppress ovulation during stimulation to grow the follicles to the optimum size before triggering the eggs ready for fertilisation.
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
(Zivafert, Ovitrelle)
When scans and tests show your follicles are the right size, it's time for medication that will trigger your eggs to go into a final stage of maturation, so they're ready for fertilisation through IVF.
This injection is sometimes referred to as a 'trigger injection.'
Progesterone
(Cyclogest)
After egg collection, we use progesterone medication, which helps your womb lining to grow ready for embryo implantation and pregnancy.
Progesterone medication, in conjunction with oestrogen, is also used if you're having a frozen embryo transfer or using donor eggs to conceive.
Supporting you through treatment
The series of IVF medications can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry our experienced nurses will go through everything you need to know. At the start of your IVF cycle, they’ll teach you how to use the injections and will provide instructional videos available on our patient app, Amelya.
Our nursing team will ensure you feel confident administering your medication at home, and will guide you to help you achieve the best possible outcome. You can also reach out for help and advice anytime through our dedicated app, which many of our patients find invaluable:
“The app is a great help to keep up to date with appointments and medication, and can be used to message the different teams.”
“The app makes everything, including contacting the various teams, very easy and it even reminds you when to take medication!”
Get started
If you’re feeling more prepared to begin your IVF journey, book your free 1-2-1 Discovery Appointment with one of our New Patient Coordinators.
Last updated: 5th November 2025
