Egg retrieval day is the day everyone looks forward to, as they should! But there are many questions about the entire fertility treatment cycle leading up to it that can be overwhelming and confusing. The pharmacists at Hann’s Pharmacy get asked multiple questions from partners who are picking up medication. Here are some of the most common questions we get.
As the partner in this situation, how do I know what times I need to help her administer her medications?
Usually your doctor will give a specific protocol with the days and times for each medication to be taken. However, the pharmacists at Hann’s can sit down with you in our private consult room or discuss over the phone all the medications that have been prescribed and go through the timing that each one is used.
Sometimes it is easiest to see them all laid out and put in order to visualize the sequence, with specific mixing and injection instructions of each one. We welcome both the patient and their supporting partners, friends or family to be part of this consultation. It is always beneficial for two sets of ears to hear and two minds to recall the information! This will alleviate some of the stress of the process. The Hann’s Pharmacy team enjoys supporting our patients through their fertility journey.
Will my partner be in pain? What will they need?
There can be side effects with the medications and procedures that can sometimes be alleviated with helpful tips. A warm compress, either by heating pad or by adhesive over the counter patches for cramping is often preferred by our fertility patients.
The Hann’s Pharmacy team can also instruct ways to decrease injection site discomfort,with a progesterone in oil administration. By using a heating pad after injection and massaging the site, the oil can thin and distribute into the muscle so that there are fewer “pockets” of oil deposits that can sometimes cause knots and pain.
Should I review the medication they are receiving?
Yes, with egg retrieval procedures, medications to help with pain can be prescribed. It is important to know that sometimes these combination medications can include acetaminophen. The patient should not take any over the counter Tylenol or acetaminophen on top of this prescription medication as this will add to the total amount of recommended acetaminophen of 3 grams per day that may otherwise be exceeded.
Will my partner feel sick during fertility treatment?
In some patients, pain medications can cause nausea and dizziness. To help reduce these side effects, we advise patients to drink plenty of water to flush out the metabolites (compounds that the medication breaks down into as it gets processed) that actually cause this. They should always take the medication with food.
While some of the stimulation medications may make your partner feel nauseous or not quite themselves. They should never be feeling so poorly that they aren’t getting proper nutrition. If this is happening it should be addressed with their physician or coordinator immediately. A good rule of thumb is if the medications are affecting their quality of life and don’t allow their usual daily functions to continue, their doctor should be contacted.
How can I help her reduce stress?
We know it is hard on the partner to watch someone they care about go through pain or side effects from medications or treatments. The best advice is to have a pharmacist at Hann’s go over each medication with the possible side effects and to learn certain tips to make the process the easiest it can be. Going to the internet for these answers will many times cause added stress to find ALL the listed possible things that can happen, which sometimes is not even accurate information.
With knowledge and certainty of instructions, we can assure you that stress will be reduced, and sometimes that alone makes the patient tolerate the medications better all around.
In addition, we can help with non-medication stress reducers such as the use of essential oils. It is shown that such practices as diffusing essential oils that are pleasing to the patient can actually reduce anxiety, give better sleep, and increase overall well-being. We have an ample list of essential oil recipes that benefit specific goals and needs.
Fairfax Fertility Pharmacy
Hann’s Pharmacy is here to support you throughout your fertility journey. Our pharmacists have the knowledge, skillset, and compassion to assist you with any and all fertility questions. Please send us an email at info@hannspharmacy.com, or call/secure text us at 703-495-3350 if you have any questions.