Answers to common questions about boosting ovulation to increase your chances of conception
Ovulation Induction
The purpose of Ovulation Induction (OI) is to produce multiple eggs to increase the likelihood of conception. For women who do not ovulate regularly, oral or injectable medications may be administered to support oocyte or egg development.
Ovulation Issues
Common causes of ovulation problems may include stress, weight fluctuations, disorders of the pituitary or thyroid gland, raised prolactin levels, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Early menopause or ovarian failure after cancer treatment may also contribute to ovulation problems.
The Ovulation Induction Process
Ovulation-inducing medications taken by mouth may be used in conjunction with an Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedure, or on their own to help boost your natural ability to get pregnant. Oral medications are usually the first line of treatment when a doctor initially addresses your infertility concerns.
If the oral medication regimen does not produce a pregnancy, you may be prescribed injectable ovulation-inducing drugs. While less convenient than taking a pill, injectable medications are considered more effective.
What to Expect
Natural ovulation usually produces one egg. OI medications stimulate many follicles in the ovaries so that several eggs mature at once. While taking the medication, we will use blood work and ultrasound to monitor the development of your follicles (egg sacs) in order to determine the right time for an insemination or egg retrieval. Once the follicles are fully developed and the eggs are mature, your doctor will perform either an IUI procedure, where sperm is inseminated into the uterus, or an egg retrieval procedure, where egg and sperm are fertilized outside the body.
If you are using an OI medication to conceive naturally, monitoring can also help you schedule the best time for sex.
Interpreting Results
If you are attempting to get pregnant naturally, you can take an at-home pregnancy test if your period is late.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ovulation Induction
Ovulation induction is a fertility treatment that stimulates the ovaries to produce multiple eggs during a single menstrual cycle. Medications like Clomiphene Citrate or Gonadotropins are commonly used.
Women with irregular ovulation or anovulation (lack of ovulation) are often good candidates for ovulation induction. Your fertility specialist can help determine if this treatment is right for you.
Possible side effects include mild bloating, headaches, and mood swings. There's also a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancies.
Monitoring involves regular blood tests and ultrasounds to track follicle development and hormone levels, ensuring the treatment is progressing as expected.
If ovulation induction is not successful, other fertility treatments, such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), may be considered.