About this episode

Dr. Sasha Hakman explains the complexities of IVF medication protocols and their impact on treatment outcomes.

IVF medication protocols can be one of the most confusing parts of fertility treatment. In this solo episode, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Sasha Hakman explains how IVF medications actually work, why different patients may need different stimulation protocols, and how factors like AMH, ovarian reserve, age, previous IVF response, and risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) influence treatment decisions. In this episode, we cover: How the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis controls the menstrual cycle, including the roles of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone How IVF medications recruit multiple follicles and why AMH, antral follicle count, and ovarian reserve influence your stimulation protocol and medication dose The main IVF stimulation medications, including recombinant FSH, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG/Menopur), GnRH agonists, GnRH antagonists, and hCG How IVF trigger shots work, including Lupron vs. hCG, dual or co-triggers, double Lupron triggers, final egg maturation, and meiosis The antagonist IVF protocol, how Ganirelix and Cetrotide help prevent…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Sasha Hakman

Topics covered

• IVF medication protocols
• fertility treatment
• reproductive endocrinology
• ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
• stimulation protocols
• hormonal regulation

Keywords

• IVF
• fertility
• medication protocols
• ovarian reserve
• hormones
• stimulation medications
• OHSS
• GnRH
• AMH
• egg maturation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IVF, OHSS, VEGF

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• Dr. Mamina Turegano on Hormonal Acne, Hair Loss & Skincare That Works · August 12, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Secondary Infertility Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment: Everything You Need to Know · August 5, 2026 · 48 min
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