What You Should Know About Menopur Side Effects

Menopur is a powerful fertility medication, and like all gonadotropins, it comes with side effects. Some are mild and expected. Others are serious and require immediate medical attention. Knowing the difference helps you feel more prepared and stay safe during treatment.

This guide covers the most common and serious side effects of Menopur, who's at higher risk, and when to call your doctor.

What Is Menopur?

Menopur (Menotropins) is an injectable fertility medication that contains both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). It's used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs during IVF and ovulation induction cycles. It's manufactured by Ferring Pharmaceuticals and is given as a daily subcutaneous injection.

Because Menopur directly stimulates the ovaries, side effects are closely tied to how your body responds to that stimulation.

Common Side Effects

Most women taking Menopur experience at least some of these. They're usually mild and go away after treatment ends:

• Injection site reactions — Bruising, redness, pain, or mild swelling where you inject. This is the most common side effect and usually improves as you get more comfortable with the injections.
• Abdominal bloating and discomfort — As your ovaries grow follicles, you'll feel fuller and possibly crampy. This is normal and expected.
• Headache — A frequent side effect during stimulation, often manageable with acetaminophen (check with your doctor first).
• Nausea — Mild nausea can occur, especially in the later days of stimulation when estrogen levels are higher.
• Breast tenderness — Hormonal changes during stimulation can cause breast soreness similar to PMS.
• Fatigue — The combination of hormone changes, daily injections, and frequent clinic visits can leave you feeling drained.
• Hot flashes — Some women experience occasional hot flashes during their stimulation cycle.

Serious Side Effects

These are less common but important to know about. Some require emergency medical care.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

OHSS is the most significant risk of Menopur treatment. It occurred in about 7.2% of patients in IVF clinical trials. OHSS happens when the ovaries over-respond to stimulation, causing fluid to leak into the abdomen and sometimes the lungs.

Mild OHSS symptoms:

• Abdominal bloating and mild pain
• Nausea and mild weight gain
• Waist measurement increasing

Severe OHSS symptoms (call your doctor immediately):

• Severe abdominal pain
• Rapid weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day)
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Decreased urination
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness or fainting

Blood Clots (Thromboembolism)

In rare cases, Menopur treatment can increase the risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. Women with risk factors like obesity, family history of clotting disorders, or thrombophilia should discuss this with their doctor before starting treatment.

Ovarian Torsion

When the ovaries become enlarged from stimulation, they can twist on their blood supply. This causes sudden, severe pelvic pain and is a medical emergency requiring surgery.

Multiple Pregnancies

Menopur increases the chance of conceiving multiples. In IVF clinical trials, the multiple pregnancy rate was 35.3%. While not a "side effect" in the traditional sense, carrying multiples increases health risks for both mother and babies.

Allergic Reactions

Severe allergic reactions to Menopur are rare but possible. Seek emergency help if you experience hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.

Who May Be at Higher Risk?

Certain factors can increase your risk of side effects:

• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) — Women with PCOS are at higher risk for OHSS because they tend to have more follicles that respond to stimulation.
• Young age and low body weight — Younger women and those with lower BMI sometimes have a stronger ovarian response.
• High AMH levels — Elevated anti-Müllerian hormone suggests a high ovarian reserve, which can mean more follicles and higher OHSS risk.
• History of OHSS — If you've had OHSS before, you're more likely to experience it again.
• Clotting risk factors — Obesity, smoking, thrombophilia, and family history of blood clots increase the risk of thromboembolic events.

How to Manage Side Effects

Here are practical tips for dealing with the most common Menopur side effects:

• Rotate injection sites — Alternate sides of your abdomen to reduce bruising and soreness.
• Ice the area — Applying ice before and after injection can numb the skin and reduce swelling.
• Stay hydrated — Drink plenty of water, especially if you're feeling bloated. This can also help reduce OHSS risk.
• Eat small, frequent meals — This can help with nausea and bloating.
• Rest when needed — Listen to your body. Avoid intense exercise during stimulation, as enlarged ovaries increase the risk of torsion.
• Track your symptoms — Keep a daily log of how you feel. This helps your doctor adjust your dose if needed.

Your fertility clinic will monitor you with regular ultrasounds and blood tests during your cycle. If your doctor sees signs of over-response, they may lower your Menopur dose or adjust your protocol. Learn more about how Menopur works in your body.

Final Thoughts

Most Menopur side effects are manageable and temporary. The key is knowing what's normal and what's not. If you experience sudden weight gain, severe pain, difficulty breathing, or any symptom that worries you — call your doctor. Don't wait.

If you're starting Menopur and need help finding it at a good price, check Medfinder for pharmacy availability and savings programs that can help lower your costs.