Can Catholics use fertility drugs?

[Brebuef]

Is it permissible for Catholics to use fertility drugs to increase the chances of getting pregnant. This topic came up at our RCIA class tonight and our Deacon nay the entire team was stumped. Hence we now turn to the experts for clarification. Thanks.

[Peggy Frye]

Fertility drugs can be used; however, “as with all medical interventions on patients, one must uphold as licit procedures carried out on the human embryo which respect the life and integrity of the embryo and do not involve disproportionate risks for it but are directed towards its healing, the improvement of its condition of health, or its individual survival.”
Donum Vitae

“Donum Vitae teaches that if a given medical intervention helps or assists the marriage act to achieve pregnancy, it may be considered moral; if the intervention replaces the marriage act in order to engender life, it is not moral.

Fertility drugs may also be used, with the caution that large multiple pregnancies may put mother and infants at risk.

The many techniques now used to overcome infertility also have profound moral implications, and couples should be aware of these before making decisions about their use. Each technique should be assessed to see if it is truly moral, that is, whether or not it promotes human good and human flourishing. All these technologies touch in some way on innocent human life."
Begotten Not Made (USCCB)
John M. Haas, Ph.D., S.T.L.