Ovulation induction (OI) is a fertility treatment that helps women who have difficulty ovulating. This method can lead to natural conception through intercourse or assisted fertilization through intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Compared to other fertility treatments, OI is less invasive and more affordable since it doesn’t require advanced technology.
How Ovulation Induction Works
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Medication: You will take either oral or injectable medication.
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Egg Production: The medication stimulates your ovaries to produce eggs.
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Ovulation: Your eggs are released during ovulation.
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Fertilization: The eggs are fertilized through timed sex or IUI.
The most common medications for ovulation induction include anti-estrogen tablets, aromatase inhibitors, and injectable fertility hormones. Anti-estrogen tablets are taken from the first day of your period to promote egg production. They block estrogen receptors, prompting the brain to produce more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the ovaries to grow and release eggs. Aromatase inhibitors work similarly by reducing estrogen levels.
If oral medications do not work or are not based on your specific diagnosis, your doctor may recommend injectable hormones to induce ovulation. These hormones work directly on the ovaries to improve the chances of ovulation.
Side Effects
While using OI medications, you may experience side effects such as hot flashes, mood swings, breast tenderness, and nausea. If you feel unwell, contact your doctor.
Success Rates
The success of ovulation induction depends on factors like your age and infertility diagnosis. You may need more than one cycle of treatment to conceive. On average, 75-90% of women with ovulation issues will ovulate after taking oral fertility drugs, and 20-30% will become pregnant after multiple cycles. With injectable fertility hormones, over 80% of women ovulate, and more than 40% get pregnant.
To maximize the chances of conception, you may be advised to use an ovulation predictor kit to time intercourse or IUI with ovulation.
Considerations
Like all treatments, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and risks. OI medication can increase the chances of multiple pregnancies, which poses risks for both the mother and babies. There’s also a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), where the ovaries become swollen and painful. Discuss these risks with your doctor before starting treatment.
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