Learning Materials
Ovulation Induction
What is Ovulation Induction (OI)?
Some women have challenges in achieving pregnancy due to decreased ovulation. Women who ovulate less than once per month (oligoovulation) or not at all (anovulation), may require medications to induce ovulation. Oral medications (i.e., clomiphene or letrozole) and/or injectable medications (i.e., gonadotropins) are commonly used for ovulation induction.
Women who do not ovulate regularly or at all, have irregular menstrual cycles and often infertility. The most common reason for ovulation issues is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS often require ovulation induction to achieve a pregnancy.
Ovulation induction can help women to conceive naturally through timed intercourse or though intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The goal of ovulation induction is to get the woman to ovulate one or two eggs.
The fertility doctor will monitor the growth of the follicles which contain eggs using bloodwork and ultrasounds. This monitoring allows the doctor to optimize the timing of ovulation and maximize the chance of pregnancy.
What is Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH)?
Superovulation also known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) uses higher doses of fertility drugs to get women to produce multiple eggs typically prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is also performed prior to fertility preservation to increase the number of eggs available for egg freezing or embryo freezing.
Methods and Medications for the Ovulation Induction
Dysfunction in the ovaries happens mainly due to the hormone imbalance, which contributes to infertility. At West Coast Fertility, we begin with comprehensive medical testing of both partners to diagnose your situation. Then a fertility plan for the individual case is developed that is best suited. Depending on your medical history, oral or injectable hormone treatment maybe prescribed.
Oral medications such as clomiphene (Clomid) and letrozole (Femara) are commonly used to foster the growth of follicles (the fluid-filled sacs that contain the eggs).
Gonadotropins, like luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, can help the ovaries produce multiple follicles and release mature eggs.
If injectable medication is required for you, our team of doctors will walk you through each step of the process. Most women undergoing ovulation induction and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation ovulate after about 10-14 days.
Why would I need OI or COH?
Women who are unable to produce a mature egg during their natural cycle may need ovulation induction. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also benefit from ovulation induction treatment.
In most cases, ovulation induction is paired with timed intercourse but can also be combined with fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) to achieve a pregnancy.
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) can help patients who already ovulate normally. The fertility experts combine COH with other fertility treatments such as IUI or IVF to increase your likelihood of getting pregnant. West Coast Fertility often recommends IUI as a first-line fertility treatment for:
Mild cases of Male factor infertility
Cervical problems
Sexual dysfunction
Unexplained infertility
If IUI is unsuccessful, West Coast Fertility may recommend IVF at our state-of-the-art lab. Talk with our Fertility doctor about your options. The doctor can help you chart the best path to a healthy pregnancy based on your specific fertility challenges and your preferences.
Considerations for Patients
There are a number of disorders that can interfere with the ovulation process. Disorders involving the thyroid gland, adrenals, excess stress, and abnormal body weight (both too high and too low) can lead to ovulation problems. Treatment of these underlying issues helps restore normal hormone balance and can often lead to resumption of normal ovulation. In addition, treatment of these underlying health issues can help decrease risks of complications during pregnancy.
We closely evaluate and monitor your body’s response to treatment to maximize the efficacy of treatment while minimizing risks of overstimulation. Our treatment focus is on your overall wellness, which better prepares your body and mind for a healthy pregnancy.
Conclusion
At West Coast Fertility Centers, we begin with a full and thorough assessment of both partners in order to diagnose all of the factors of your situation. Then we create the most effective fertility plan for your needs.
Whether Ovulation Induction or Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation along with IUI, IVF or Timed Intercourse is part of your plan, our team will work out the precise strategy based on your particular needs. We closely monitor your body’s response to the medication to maximize chance of pregnancy while mitigating risks like overstimulation. Our entire team will closely monitor your progress and help you to maintain your wellness, which better supports your pregnancy. During the entire treatment, we ensure complete confidentiality of your information. You can rely on West Coast Fertility in your journey of building a happy family!
