Ovulation Induction
MotherToBe offers Ovulation Induction (OI) fertility treatments. Ovulation Induction procedure involves the use of medications to stimulate growth of follicle and bring about ovulation.
Women with PCOS have hormonal disturbances which lead to problems with egg growth and release termed medically as anovulation. In women with regular periods, every month an egg grows and is released and hence the chance of conception is around 20% in a cycle. However, in women with PCOS, as egg growth and release does not happen or happens very irregularly, it affects the chance of conceiving naturally. However, these simple medications which can be taken to facilitate egg growth and release under the supervision of fertility specialist helps these women achieve a pregnancy.
OI process involves the following steps
How does ovulation induction therapy works?
- Initially, the patient is administered medications in order to enhance the development of mature eggs by the ovary. This is monitored through ultrasound regularly.
- The choice of medications for OI is dictated by the hypothalamic-pituitary gland – ovarian function. With adequate hypothalamic function, an oral regimen of Clomiphene citrate which exhibits estrogen agonist and antagonist activity is often utilized the first line. Letrozole is another common medication used for ovulation induction.
- Clomiphene citrate inhibits estrogen binding in the hypothalamus to stimulate the release of GnRH and pituitary gonadotropins and induce ovarian follicular development.
- If hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction is detected or if oral regimens are not successful, injectable gonadotropins are administered.
- The most common gonadotropin regimens use FSH administered alone or in combination with LH. Once the follicles have reached the appropriate size to contain a mature egg, an injection is given in order to trigger ovulation.
- Timed intercourse or artificial insemination is the next course of action.
Risks and side effects
- Risk for multiple births
- Hyper-stimulation
- Nausea
- Headache
Success rate in ovulation induction
The success rates of Ovulation Induction are about 20% to 25% for each cycle (every month they try) in the case of healthy and fertile couples. In case the patient has ovulatory disorders then the ovulation induction success rates will reduce accordingly.
Watch Dr. Vyjayanthi explain about Ovulation Induction