Ovulation Induction
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What is Ovulation Induction?
Ovulation Induction (OI) is often used as an early intervention fertility treatment. It uses medications to regulate ovulation particularly for women with irregular periods who may not know when they ovulate. It’s also used to increase the number of eggs produced during a cycle to increase the chances of pregnancy. It is often combined with intra-uterine insemination (IUI).
How Does Ovulation Induction Work?
Ovulation induction typically involves the following process:
- Initial consultation with a City Fertility SpecialistWhen you first meet with a fertility specialist you will undergo fertility testing that includes blood tests to assess ovulation and hormone levels. Your doctor may recommend ovulation induction as a first treatment.Ovulation induction is not suitable for everyone. This treatment depends on factors such as a woman’s age, medical diagnosis, and the results of the initial semen analysis.
- StimulationOvarian stimulation involves taking oral medication or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injections at the start of your period to stimulate the ovaries to encourage the growth of multiple follicles containing eggs.
- Control & MonitoringYour fertility specialist will closely monitor your ovarian response during the stimulation phase with ultrasounds and/or blood tests. This is important as ovulation induction medication is powerful. This means your medication may need to be adjusted to control the size and number of follicles and to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies.
- Egg release – ovulationWhen the follicles are mature, you will take an intramuscular injection of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) in preparation for intercourse or intra-uterine insemination (IUI).
- Timed sexual intercourse or IUIA pelvic ultrasound is performed near ovulation time to show us the developing follicles and indicate the best day to have sex and maximise the chances of pregnancy.
To learn more, please visit our Patient information booklets page and view the Ovulation Induction (OI) PDF here.
Who is Ovulation Induction Suitable For?
If you are not ovulating or struggling to fall pregnant, ovulation induction may be something you consider. However, ovulation induction may not be suitable for everyone. Your fertility specialist may recommend this for anyone who relates to the following:
- Women with unexplained infertility.
- Women with long, irregular or infrequent cycles.
- Women who are not spontaneously ovulating.
- Couples with no male-factor infertility.
Ovulation Induction treatment is not recommended for:
- Women over 38 years of age.
- Women with tubal blockage or severe tubal damage.
- Women with severe endometriosis.
- Couples with a low sperm count or poor sperm motility/morphology.
Types of Ovulation Induction Medications
Various fertility medications are available for ovulation induction, and your physician will choose the drug or combination of stimulation drugs that is best in each case. Ovulation induction medications include:
- Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid or Serophene) – An oral medication prescribed to women with infrequent periods and long ovulation cycles to produce more follicle-stimulating hormone.
- Ovulation Hormone (or FSH) – This involves a series of daily follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injections self-administered at home from day 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle. This medication is used to stimulate the ovaries to encourage the growth of multiple follicles containing eggs.
Ovulation Induction FAQs
What are the potential risks of ovulation induction?
While ovulation induction can be an effective solution, it’s essential to be aware of potential ovulation induction risks and side effects:
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): In some cases, the ovaries may become overly stimulated, leading to swelling and pain. Severe cases can require hospitalisation.
- Multiple Pregnancies: Induction medications can increase the likelihood of twins or higher-order multiples, which may carry additional risks for both mother and babies.
- Mood Swings and Hot Flashes: Hormonal medications can lead to emotional changes and physical symptoms similar to those experienced during menopause.
If you experience any of these, notify your fertility clinic straight away.
Can ovulation induction help me fall pregnant?
Ovulation induction can assist in a successful pregnancy, but everyone’s fertility journey is different, so it is best to see a fertility specialist to find out if it can help you fall pregnant. Book an appointment with our team today.
I am not ovulating, what can I do?
An irregular or non-existent menstrual cycle can be problematic if you are trying to conceive. Seeing a specialist about regulating your cycle is the best course of action in these cases.
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is the phase mid-way through a woman’s 28-day menstrual cycle – between days 10-16 if you have a regular cycle – when egg cells are released from the ovaries. It is not possible to get pregnant in a cycle without ovulation.
View our Ovulation Induction Treatment PDF below
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