Fertility Medications: A Primer for the Pharmacy Setting

Course overview

Within the United States (US), an estimated 1 in 5 women will experience infertility. Infertility is a disease with health implications and important economic and social ramifications. Management of infertility is highly patient-specific, and factors including the underlying cause, patient age, comorbidities, and cost determine the treatment plan. A diagnosis of infertility can be devastating, and attempting to understand related procedures and medications can be overwhelming for patients. It is important for patients to be educated on the causes and risk factors associated with infertility, counseled on nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic medications, and offered resources to decrease the financial burden associated with infertility treatments. This course will provide an overview of the causes and processes involved in diagnosing infertility and discuss available infertility treatment options. Mechanisms of action, side effects profiles, benefits, and success rates will be discussed for various fertility medications.