Many of our fertility patients travel extensively during the holiday season, making it a good time to review how to travel with fertility medicine and ensure you have every dose as needed. Some fertility medications require refrigeration, while others can be carried in a backpack or carry-on luggage.

6 Things To Do Before Traveling With Fertility Medications

So, while the following is a general overview of what to consider before heading out on a vacation or holiday gathering, your fertility specialist or nurses are your best source of personalized information. Feel free to contact us here at NCFMC if you’re planning a trip for specific instructions pertaining to your travel schedule and prescription medications.

1. Plan for worst-case travel scenarios

Airlines do their best to get us onboard on time. However, weather, mechanical issues, and software glitches are out of their control. Because fertility medications vary in terms of how and when they’re administered, we recommend bringing a sufficient supply to tide you over in case you experience unforeseen delays or cancellations. So, for example, Clomid is a common oral fertility medication that is taken for five consecutive days, synced with the early portion of your menstrual cycle. If you are scheduled to start your Clomid prescription two days before you’re supposed to return home from a trip, bring all five doses with you so you remain on track if any unforeseen flight delays or snafus derail the scheduled return.

2. Talk to your fertility specialist about your travel plans

Rather than assume you’ve adequately prepared, we recommend checking in with your fertility specialist before your trip. We’ll review everything with you to ensure you understand what’s needed for the duration. We’ll make sure you know how to:

• Keep time-sensitive doses on track if you’re changing time zones.
• Use smartphone reminders to take the correct dose(s) at the right time.
• Properly store medications and safely dispose of any injectable medication equipment if applicable (more on that below).
• Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy where you’ll be staying in case of any mixups, accidents, or unforeseen events that separate you from the meds you need.
• Get in touch with us or our 24-hour nurseline in case you need us.

3. Visit the airline webpage (or contact them directly)

Most airlines have website pages specifically written to explain their rules and recommendations for flying with medications, especially those that are liquid or require injections like the injectable fertility medications used during IVF cycles. If you can’t find the information you need, give them a call, and their customer service representatives will be happy to go over their medication protocols with you.

4. Keep medications in your carryon

Do not check fertility medications. You want to minimize any risk that the meds will be lost or delayed in reaching your final destination. Having them in your carry-on bags means you always have them with you no matter what happens to the checked baggage. Store them all together in a zip-lock bag with their original prescription information and the letter from your doctor. It’s a good idea to include:

• Your fertility doctor’s contact information.
• Contact info for your pharmacy.
• Any ancillary items you need (alcohol wipes, disposable containers for injectable supplies, gauze or bandaids, etc.).

5. Invest in high-quality insulated cold storage packs (injectable meds)

If you are using injectable fertility medications, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality cold storage system that’s small enough to travel with inside your carry-on luggage. Most injectable IVF medications must be kept at refrigerator temperatures (between 38 and 42 degrees) to retain their viability. Again, we can review your meds before you go, including their ideal storage temperatures, to ensure you’re set for your trip. In most cases, unless your flight is exceptionally long, an insulated lunch bag and cold pack are sufficient to do the job. You can also search online for refrigerated medication travel bags specific to this task.

6. Bring things to mitigate side effects

Many of the side effects associated with fertility medications are reminiscent of PMS symptoms. So you may want to consider bringing:

• OTC antinflammatories for camps.
• A heating pad.
• Ginger tea or chews (which help to tame upset tummies and reduce inflammation).
• Anti-diarrhea meds.
• Your favorite comfort items.

NCFMC Can Answer Any Questions About Traveling With Fertility Meds

Are you feeling nervous or unsettled about having to travel while taking fertility medications? Let Northern California Fertility Medical Center (NCFMC) put your mind at ease. We’re happy to review your travel plans with you to make sure you have everything you need to keep your fertility treatments on track.