Fertility Medications: A Primer for Pharmacists

Course overview

Within the United States, 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. Pharmacists are accessible healthcare providers who can educate patients on the causes and risk factors associated with infertility, counsel them on nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic medications, and offer resources to decrease the financial burden associated with infertility treatments. This course will provide an overview of the causes and process of 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.