Letrozole is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat certain types of breast cancer in women post-menopause. They are classic estrogen inhibitors that slow down or prevent the growth and recurrence of cancers. A decade-long discovery of Letrozole is its ovulation-inducing and controlled hyperstimulation agent, as its estrogen inhibiting activity has been quite effective.
Letrozole 2.5mg is an addition to the armamentarium of infertility treatments. Unlike the most preferred Ovulation Induction Medication, Clomiphene citrate, Letrozole is a class of aromatase inhibitors, suppresses estrogen production, and enhances the release of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). The side effects compared to other ovulation-inducing drugs are milder. This has helped Letrozole create its own set of fertility enhancement benefits.
This article talks more about the working and effectiveness of Letrozole 2.5 mg and the milder side effects it carries.
Also Read: Metformin for PCOS and PCOD: Uses, Health Benefits, and Side Effects
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How does Letrozole 2.5mg for fertility work?
During infertility treatment, the ovaries need to produce more follicles and mature eggs. For this, the pituitary glands will need to make more hormones to stimulate the ovaries for follicular growth and production. Women with ovulatory problems have ovaries that do not ovulate or ovulate irregularly. In such cases, the doctors prescribe medications to induce ovulation.
Letrozole is a class of aromatase inhibitors, works fundamentally by inhibiting/suppressing the enzyme aromatase responsible for estrogen production. It indirectly suppresses the production of estrogens and promotes the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is essential for follicle development and growth.
The sequential action of Letrozole is represented below.
| LETROZOLE 2.5mg |
↓
Suppresses enzyme Aromatase
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Estrogen synthesis inhibitions
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Enhances FSH, and LH production
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Promotes growth and development of more ovarian follicles
Letrozole 2.5mg for fertility: Benefits
Letrozole 2.5mg is an easy metabolizing drug recommended to treat ovulatory dysfunction. It is available in the trade name Femara and can be an alternative drug for Clomiphene and Tamoxifen. It is administered orally on day 3 of your menstrual cycle and is limited to a 5-day course, i.e., till day 7 of the menstrual cycle. Typically, on day 12 of the menstrual cycle, an ultrasound can confirm the growth and size of the ovarian follicles. For conception, intercourse or Intrauterine insemination is advised after day 12, as ovulation is likely to occur by day 14-19 of the Letrozole period cycle.
Here are some of the clinical benefits of Letrozole 2.5mg
- Effective in women having oligoovulation (irregular ovulation) or anovulation (no ovulation)
- Helps a controlled stimulation of ovaries with mild side effects
- Induces ovulation and is likely to increase pregnancy chances
- It is known to support endometrial thickening.
- Exhibits high ovulation rates with more mature follicle production
- It has given promising outcomes of ovulation induction in women with PCOS and obesity, where the pregnancy and live birth rates are comparatively high.
- Clinical studies on Letrozole have shown lower miscarriage rates.
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Letrozole 2.5mg for fertility: Side Effects
It is a fact that every drug works by making changes in the molecular mechanisms, and so, it does carry a small iota of risk or side effects. A few of the less noticed side effects of Letrozole 2.5mg are listed below.
- Hot Flushes
- Headaches
- Tenderness of the breasts
- Fatigue and weakness
- Back pain
- Stomach upset like bloating, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The likelihood of conceiving multiples (twins or triplets), formations of ovarian cysts, causing pain and pressure during intercourse are some of the associated risks of Letrozole.
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Frequently Asked Questions
References:
Overview | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10815-020-01892-6
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2011/242864/
This content has been reviewed by Srujana Mohanty who is working in scientific & medical writing and editing since 2018. She is also associated with the quality assurance team of scientific journal editing.
Very useful content