Ovulation Induction
Overview
Ovulation Induction (OI)is a fertility treatment that uses medications to cause or regulate ovulation, or increase the number of eggs produced during a cycle, to increase the opportunity for pregnancy.
Some women may experience an excessive response by their ovaries to the fertility drugs. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs in a minority of women who overrespond. Symptoms include severe discomfort, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension and dehydration. It is important that the clinic is notified immediately if any of these symptoms occur during your treatment, as hospitalisation may be required.
Procedure
Ovulation Induction normally involves the following stages:
Stimulation
Egg release – ovulation
When the follicles are mature, usually between 16 and 20 millimetres in diameter depending on your stimulation medication, you will take an intramuscular injection of hCG in preparation for intercourse or intra-uterine insemination (IUI).
The potential fertility improvement that this type of treatment may yield depends on the woman’s age and diagnosis and the initial male semen analysis, and should be discussed with your specialist.
Gonadotropins are taken by injection under the skin. They replace natural follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and if they are successful the ovaries produce multiple follicles and high-quality, mature eggs.
Your hormone levels and follicular development are tracked throughout the stimulation cycle. If required, your medication protocol (the type and dose) may be altered for optimum results.
Who?
Ovulation Induction treatment is recommended for:
- Women with unexplained infertility.
- Women with long, irregular or infrequent cycles.
- Women who are not spontaneously ovulating.
- Couples with no male-factor infertility.