Ovulation Induction
Ovulation induction is recommended for women who haven’t yet reached menopause but aren’t ovulating. We only suggest a minimal drug regimen if absolutely necessary, so fertility drugs are not our immediate response to lack of ovulation.
We begin by using ultrasound to see whether there is a follicle maturing. We would then use the information from your ultrasound to recommend either natural ovulation, tablets or a series of injections to encourage your body to produce a mature egg. Then you can either use natural timing or another injection to trigger ovulation at exactly the right time. This means that you have the best chance of getting pregnant without any further medical intervention. This treatment is often successful and is used as the first option when treating infertility due to polycystic ovarian syndrome or other conditions which inhibit ovulation.
Who is best suited to ovulation induction treatment?
This is often the preferred fertility treatment for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), but it is also suitable for women who are not ovulating for a variety of other reasons. However, it is essential that women opting for ovulation induction have not begun the menopause.
What are the risks?
At Concept Fertility, we always provide a full range of options based on your causes of infertility, your health, and the possibility of getting pregnant with each treatment. Your doctor will explain all of the risks of each treatment to ensure that you begin the procedures fully informed.
Ovulation induction is not invasive and regular monitoring with ultrasound and hormone measurements ensures that we can catch ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) early and ensure that only one or two follicles are developing. As women with PCOS are often sensitive to fertility drugs, more than one egg may be produced which leads to twins or triplets. This only occurs in 5-10% of cases.
Prolonged use of the medicines involved in inducing ovulation can have a negative effect on the lining of the uterus, so we check that during our monitoring processes too. If we do notice any damage, we offer alternative medication to continue with the treatment without further risks to your health.
How many times can I induce ovulation?
If ovulation induction hasn’t resulted in a pregnancy through natural insemination within 3 treatments, we will discuss other treatments.
Depending on your age, this treatment is 10-20% successful. For women whose only fertility issue is anovulation, up to 80% of patients ovulate once induced and 50% of those conceive.
