Ovulation Induction

Ovulation Induction (OI) is the controlled administration of drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs. OI is typically applied to patients with irregular menstrual cycles and in which investigations indicate that they may not be ovulating on a regular basis. OI can also be used for women with no identifiable reason for not getting pregnant (unexplained infertility) and whom are not ready for IVF.

Letrozole: Also called Femara. Letrozole is a medication that lowers oestrogen levels temporarily. Oestrogen restricts egg growth by signaling to the brain to make less Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). By lowering oestrogen for 5 days at the start of your cycle, the brain releases more FSH and encourages your ovary to grow an egg. The mature egg is normally released (ovulation) naturally. However, ovulation can also be triggered using by a single injection of human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG). The goal for women that don’t ovulate regularly is generally to grow one egg with Letrozole.

 

Clomiphene Citrate: often called Clomid. This medication is an anti-oestrogen and works by stimulating your body into releasing more Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). As with Letrozole these higher levels of FSH stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. Clomid tends to stimulate more than one egg to grow and is commonly used in women with unexplained infertility. Both can be combined with intrauterine insemination (IUI).

 

Gonadotropin: such as Menopur, Gonal F & Follistim. These are injection medications you give yourself (usually daily) to stimulate the development of a single mature follicle. Again, the mature egg is ovulated or the ovulation can be stimulated by hCG.

 

After meeting with Dr. Davis, you can discuss which of these two types of drug is appropriate for your treatment.

 

Ultrasound scans and blood tests are performed to ensure that OI is both safe and effective. Once a mature follicle has been produced you will be advised when the best time for intercourse is in order to help achieve a pregnancy. Typically, couples need more than one month of OI in order to become pregnant.