Well I was diagnosed with polysistic ovarian syndrome. My doctor put me on femara along with some other things. This is new to me too but I am glad to know others have gotten pregnant from using it. Anyhow, this what I have found out about Femara:
The drug letrozole, (brand name, Femara) is an aromatase inhibitor, meaning it blocks estrogen production. Although originally introduced to treat postmenopausal breast cancer, letrozole has many possible uses in reproductive medicine. It may be beneficial in the treatment of endometriosis and uterine fibroids, as well as for ovulation induction.
Letrozole is an oral medication. When used to treat infertility it is usually given from day-five to day-nine of a cycle, and acts by decreasing estrogen production in the ovaries and other tissues. When the body does not produce estrogen it triggers the brain to release more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which and in turn, stimulates the ovary to produce eggs.
Letrozole and other aromatase inhibitors have been studied as a replacement for clomiphene citrate (CC), a drug commonly used to induce ovulation, and as co-treatment with gonadotropins (injectible fertility drugs) to achieve controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
Letrozole offers distinct advantages for ovulation induction as compared to CC. Letrozole does not thin the uterine lining as CC may in some women; a good uterine lining is important for an embryo to implant. CC may have a negative effect on uterine blood flow, embryo development, and pregnancy rates. These effects have not been reported with letrozole use. Side effects such as visual disturbances, headache, and hot flashes, common to CC therapy, are less frequent with letrozole.
Letrozole may be used in anovulatory patients (women who do not ovulate), patients with unexplained infertility, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination, and for women undergoing IVF who have had a poor response to gonadotropins.
I hope this helps. Good luck to you!
