Femera for Infertility

Your physician may prescribe Femera for infertility treatments to address ovulation problems or unexplained infertility. It’s most common use is to treat certain cases of breast cancer.

How does it work?

Femera (also callled Letrozole) works by blocking aromatase, which is an enzyme that is necessary for the body to produce estrogen. Estrogen’s role in the fertility cycle is to prepare the uterus for implanation of the embryo. By reducing the production of estrogen, the pituitary gland increases production of follicle stimulation hormone and luteinizing hormone, which causes ovulation in women who do not regulatory ovulate or increases the number of eggs in the ovaries of women who do regularly ovulate. Femera can be of particular benefit to women who have taken Clomid and who have not been able to ovulate or conceive or or experienced adverse side effects. In contrast to Femera, Clomid stimulates ovulation by blocking estrogen receptors.

Risks and Side Effects

While there were some Canadian reports in 2005 that Letrozole was associated with birth defects when taken during pregnancy, there have not been any reports of birth defects when given prior to pregnancy. The drug is metabolized quickly by the body and is not thought to remain in the body or the tissues for prolonged periods. The normal course of treatment is for 5 days during the early phase of the menstrual cycle – it is thought that the drug is cleared from the body before the egg is fertilized, which minimizes any potential risk of birth defects.

Side effects are reported to include hot flashes, headaches, and breast tenderness.

It is important to note that Letrozole is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a fertility treatment. Instead, physicians who prescribe it for infertility are using it “off-label”, which is not inappropriate if it is used in a safe and effective manner. For those fertility specialists who use it, patients should be advised of the concerns about the potential for an increased risk of birth defects as well as the side effects.

Success Rates

The chances of getting pregnant through the use of Femera for infertility problems is reported to be about equal to the use of Clomid, although sperm quality, maternal age, and the patency of the fallopian tubes are determining factors.

There is a higher success rate in women who do not ovulate on their own (i.e., a 15 percent chance per month) if they adequately respond to Letrozole through ovulation, they have no other fertility problems, and they are under age 35.

For women who regularly ovulate without stimulation and have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, their chances of success are lower.

While Fermera is a viable fertility treatment option, it is important to remember to use it as prescribed by your physician. It should never be purchased from an unauthorized distributor or taken in a manner inconsistent with its instructions.

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