Growth hormones

What is Growth hormones?

• Growth hormone is a hormone that is produced naturally in the body. It plays an important role in the growth of bones and metabolism.
• It is also thought to help eggs in the ovaries develop and mature. It does not create new eggs, but it helps to mature the eggs that already exist.
• Growth hormone is manufactured for medical use. The most common growth hormone drug used in Australia is somatropin (shorter acting drug) or somatrogon (longer acting drug).
• Growth hormone is used to treat medical conditions in people who don’t produce enough growth hormone, such as children with growth hormone deficiency.

Why might growth hormones improve IVF outcomes?

• During an IVF cycle, ovarian stimulation medication is used to help the ovaries produce multiple eggs. Usually the aim is to get between 5-15 eggs.
• When less than 5 eggs are retrieved it may be called a ‘poor response’ to the stimulation medication. This is more likely in older women (e.g. over 38) or people with a low ovarian reserve, such as a low anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and/or low antral follicle count (AFC).
• Growth hormone is known to help eggs mature naturally in the body. Therefore, it has been suggested that adding growth hormone prior to an IVF cycle may help to improve the number and quality of eggs retrieved during an IVF cycle.

Why might growth hormones not improve IVF outcomes?

• Growth hormone is already produced naturally in the body. Adding extra growth hormone medication may not offer any benefit.
• Growth hormone helps eggs to mature during the early stages of their maturation – about 2-3 months before they will be mature and ready for possible ovulation. Giving growth hormone during an IVF cycle may be too late to impact on the development of eggs.
• For people with a poor response to IVF stimulation medication, the main issue is often egg quality. As women get older, their eggs are more likely to have problems with their chromosomes. Growth hormone cannot overcome these sorts of problems.
• Growth hormone may only help existing eggs to mature. It cannot create more eggs.

Who might consider growth hormones?

People who have experienced issues with:

• Poor responses to ovarian stimulation (e.g. less than 3 or 5 eggs retrieved during IVF)
• Women of advanced age (e.g. over 38 years old)
• Women with low ovarian reserve (low AMH or AFC)

Learn more about common IVF issues and challenges

Do growth hormones for IVF work? What the evidence says

It is unclear whether growth hormones have any effect on the chance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or live birth from IVF. This appears to be true  for both people who have poor responses to stimulation medication and for those undergoing IVF in general. Although there are 12 trials, many studies were small, making the result imprecise, and most studies had flaws or limitations that could bias their results.

Side effects of growth hormones

Common sides effects of growth hormones may include:

• Headaches
• Fluid retention (swelling of arms or legs)
• Joint or muscle pain
• High blood pressure

Growth hormones such as somatropin are powerful drugs. The likelihood and severity of side effects increases with increased use, such as higher doses and longer-term use.

For more information:

• Patient information leaflet for somatropin

Risks of growth hormones in IVF and long-term outcomes

When taken for long durations or in high doses, growth hormone can be associated with many serious health outcomes.

If growth hormone is added onto an IVF cycle, it is usually taken for about 4 weeks. In this case, the following risks may be relevant:

• Growth hormone can affect the body’s ability to handle glucose. For diabetics, this means that glucose control may be more difficult while taking growth hormone.  For people with glucose intolerance (‘pre diabetes’), diabetes may develop for the first time while taking growth hormone.

In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approves what medicines can be prescribed by doctors, and what conditions or problems they can be prescribed for. Growth hormone is only approved for use in people with growth hormone deficiency or short stature – it is not approved for use in the IVF setting. Prescribing growth hormone with the goal of improving IVF outcomes is considered “off label” use. Although off label use of some medicines is generally accepted by doctors, use of growth hormone for IVF is considered experimental and doctors should discuss the uncertainty, potential risks, and costs with patients so they can make an informed decision.

Growth hormone has been used in Australian IVF cycles since around 2000, and approximately 1000 IVF patients have used Growth hormone.

Cost of growth hormones for IVF

• The use of growth hormone in IVF is off-label and so the medication cost is not subsidised by the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
• Growth hormone generally cost about $100-$250 AUD for one 3mg injectable dose. It is usually taken daily for up to 4 weeks, which can cost approximately $2,800-$7,000 AUD.

Cost information is indicative only, costs can vary from clinic to clinic and depending on different circumstances.

Practical considerations about growth hormones for IVF

• Growth hormone is usually administered as a daily injection for around 2-6 weeks.
• Growth hormone is usually started before or at the beginning of an IVF cycle until the egg retrieval procedure.
• Growth hormone may not be recommended in people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney conditions and thyroid disorders.
• Growth hormone may not be recommended in people taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids and thyroid hormones.

Unsure about some of the terms we have used? Use our glossary to understand scientific or unfamiliar terms.