What are the Side effects and drawbacks of fertility drugs?

• These fertility drugs increase your odds of having twins or more.
• Clomiphene can cause hot flashes, mood swings, pelvic pain, breast tenderness, ovarian cysts, nausea, thick and dry cervical mucus, headaches, mild depression, and visual symptoms.
• Gonadotropins can cause rash or swelling at the injection site, mood swings, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, and headaches. About 10 to 20 percent of women who take gonadotropins develop a mild form of OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), which causes enlarged ovaries and fluid build-up in the abdomen.

Success rates
About 80 percent of women who take clomiphene ovulate in the first three months of treatment. Of them, 30 to 40 percent conceive by their third treatment cycle.

The pregnancy rate for gonadotropins with timed intercourse is 15 percent per cycle.

Cost
Clomiphene pills cost maximum Rs 500/- a month, depending on the dosage and whether you choose brand name or generic. Additional costs: doctor visits, ultrasounds of your ovaries, and procedures such as IUI (intrauterine insemination).

Gonadotropin injections cost about ……………… a month, depending on the dosage and how long you need to take the shots. Additional costs: doctor visits, blood tests, and ultrasounds.