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Ovulation induction treatment
Ovulating and the timing of sexual intercourse is a crucial part of conceiving. The best chance to get pregnant is in the “fertile window” which is in the three days prior to ovulation and the day of ovulation. Women with regular menstrual cycles and ovulation usually face few problems conceiving at this time, whilst females who have irregular or absent menstrual cycles have a much harder time of it.
Ovulation Induction Treatment is a way to improve ovulation in women who usually do not ovulate or ovulate irregularly.
Ovulation Induction (OI) is a highly effective method to address the issue. It is a fertility treatment that involves the use of medicines to stimulate or control ovulation. The procedure also helps to increase the number of eggs released during a menstrual cycle, hence improving the chances of conceiving. It is a less invasive procedure that doctors frequently recommend at the beginning of the fertility journey.
The process of Ovulation Induction typically consists of the following steps:
Stimulation
There are several choices to initiate ovulation, including oral medication or administration of hormone injections at home. Patients can begin taking an ovulation tablet on either Day 2 or 3 of their menstrual cycle and continue for 5 days. Otherwise, administration of a hormone injection daily for approximately 8 to 14 days starting from Day 3 of the patient's cycle helps to induce ovulation. Our experts will assist you in feeling at ease during the injection procedure and demonstrate the proper way to safely administer each ovulation injection.
Monitoring
Not all women respond the same way to the medications, some may take longer or some may be super quick. Monitoring involves the use of blood tests (no fasting required) for specific hormones, and pelvic ultrasounds to determine the maturation of follicles in your ovaries. Ultrasound are done transvaginally/internally to get the best view of the ovaries and uterine lining. These tests will assist in pinpointing the best possible time for conceiving a child through either sexual intercourse or IUI.
Ovulation induction fertility medications
There are different fertility medications for Ovulation Induction. The fertility specialist recommends the most suitable medication or combination of medications for each situation. List of medications:
Clomiphene Citrate
(Clomid) or Letrozole
Letrozole and Clomiphene Citrate are the two most common oral medications that doctors recommend in ovulation induction treatment.
The effect of two drugs is obstructing estrogen receptors within the body. This deceives the brain into boosting the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which then encourages your ovaries to generate follicles. Follicles are tiny sacs filled with fluid found on the ovary that houses an egg. If one of these follicles becomes dominant and matures, during ovulation it releases an egg.
Letrozole and Clomiphene are recommended for five days in the first half of your menstrual cycle. These medications can cause certain side effects, which typically disappear shortly after discontinuing the medication. These symptoms consist of hot flushes, increased cervical mucus thickness, and mood changes.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) injections.
FSH is a hormone produced from the pituitary Gland at the base of the brain. It acts directly on the ovaries to enhance the growth of follicles within the ovaries. Every day from about the third day of your menstrual cycle, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is injected into your body. The injections are usually self-administered (or via a friend or partner) under the skin, from home via a pen-like device. You need to continue the FSH injection until we see that there are 1-3 mature eggs via ultrasound.
We understand that you may feel overwhelmed initially to give yourself an injection. That is the reason our fertility nurses are available to guide you through each step of the process. Becoming a master in no time is surprisingly simple.
Human Choriogonadotropin (HCG)
When 1-3 mature follicles are evident on ultrasound, an injection of HCG (Ovidrel) is administered. This aids in the final maturation of the egg/eggs and causes the release of the egg/eggs from the ovary/ovaries (ovulation) 36-40 hours after the injection is given. You will be informed by staff of when to have this injection and the most advantageous time to have sexual intercourse or IUI.
Women who have regular menstrual cycles and ovulate by themselves normally can be given injections to enhance ovulation. This stimulation is done with injections only and combined with IUI (COH-IUI). This form is the majority of our treatment cycles. The process and monitoring for OI with injections and COH are the same.
Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH)
Women who have regular menstrual cycles and ovulate by themselves normally can be given injections to enhance ovulation. This stimulation is done with injections only and combined with IUI (COH-IUI). This form is the majority of our treatment cycles. The process and monitoring for OI with injections and COH are the same.
Would you benefit from induction therapy?
Deciding to have an ovulation induction period can be challenging for few. However, having thorough information about its benefits can make it thoughtful. The period around ovulation, including the 5 days before it, is referred to as the ‘fertile window’ when conception is most probable.
Many women may find it difficult to accurately monitor their
ovulation, leading to difficulties in conceiving. Ovulation stimulation
can be beneficial for:
- Women who experience irregular, sporadic, or missing periods.
- Women who suffer from infertility without a clear cause.
- Women who are not ovulating naturally.
- Men who have a decreased or inadequate sperm movement.
Ultrasounds and blood samples are used to monitor ovulation, providing a clear understanding of the development and maturation of the egg. We utilize this data to determine the optimal timing for intercourse or implement additional treatments to enhance fertilization.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IVF and Ovulation induction?
Ovulation induction involves encouraging the growth of one or more eggs within the ovary, which results in ovulation. This assists in the timing for sexual intercourse or artificial insemination. Fertilisation takes place inside the body.
In contrast, IVF involves fertilising an egg externally and then implantation of the fertilised egg (embryo) into the uterus. Fertilsation takes place in the laboratory along with the culturing of the embryos until transfer into the uterus.
How successful is ovulation induction?
The success rate of ovulation induction often increases with each cycle or month, similar to how pregnancy rates grow for couples attempting to conceive without help. Following Ovulation Induction, pregnancy rates are about 22.5% after one cycle and increase marginally each cycle up until about the 3rd or 4th cycle. This of course, is age dependent.
Are there any side effects associated with ovulation induction?
In Ovulation induction, the fertility experts stimulate the development and release of eggs from the ovaries by administering medicines that mimic female hormones. Some drugs induce symptoms in certain women. These symptoms vary depending on the drug provided, and your fertility specialist will notify you of the precise symptoms. Side effects of ovulation induction may include nausea, hot flashes, breast tenderness, and bloating.
Are there any lifestyle changes recommended during Ovulation induction treatment?
You will be given a comprehensive list of things you need to do and avoid when trying to conceive. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can increase your chances. A healthy lifestyle includes consistent moderate activity, maintaining an ideal body weight, and eating a balanced and nutritious diet. Additional lifestyle changes include reducing alcohol and caffeine use, as well as avoiding illegal drugs, tobacco usage, and vaping.
What if ovulation induction doesn't work?
If ovulation induction does not work for you, don’t worry; there are many more solutions available to assist you have a baby. These fertility treatment options, such as IVF, IUI, ICSI, IMSI, and preimplantation genetic testing, may be more appropriate for your specific needs. In addition, your reproductive health expert will aid you in understanding and selecting the best course of action for you.