There are a numbers of reasons for decreased fertility in women. Injuries due to accident and hormone imbalances are the main causes of infertility. Medical science has provided many different ways to combat the problem of infertility. One of these methods is the estrogen patch, known by the trade name of Vivelle.
Estrogen Patch Defined
Vivelle, or the estrogen patch, is a hormone replacement therapy that is used to treat women in menopause and those suffering from fertility problems caused by decreased levels of estrogen. Women suffering from fertility problems caused by low hormone levels will be prescribed a small patch that will be placed on their abdomen daily.
What the Estrogen Patch Program Entails
Your doctor may have you using a patch 100% of the time or just during certain phases of your ovulation cycle. This is a program that is usually used for women that will be undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures. Also, other hormone therapies, such as LH and FSH, may be prescribed to assist with egg production and ovulation. Late in the egg production cycle, Lupron may be used to restrict ovulation prior to egg harvesting. The more eggs that are able to be harvested, the greater the probability of pregnancy. Once the embryo has begun its growth cycle, estrogen patches may be used to help maintain a healthy embryo and keep the lining of the uterus stable during the pregnancy.
Most women that undergo estrogen patch assisted fertility treatments have become pregnant and have been able to carry a baby to full term. Success rates of this treatment regimen are very high.
