Beginners Guide for Ovulation Induction

Ovulation is when the ovary releases matured eggs. It usually occurs in the four days before or after the midpoint of your periods. This is the time women are most fertile. The eggs travel down to the fallopian tubes for fertilization. They remain live for the next 24 hours. In case you engage in intercourse, there is a good chance of conception. In fact, the chances increase dramatically if you have sex on the very day of ovulation.

However, some women do not ovulate properly. It could be either irregular or rare. It mainly happens because the follicles holding the eggs fail to mature. This is when doctors suggest an ovulation induction. This is a treatment which typically involves a series of medications to stimulate the ovary. If you have been recommended this method, here’s what you should know for an informed choice. In fact, it will also help avoid surprises down the line.

Process of Ovulation Induction

The patient is required to take a number of fertility drugs. Have a look:

Follicle Stimulating Hormone: Daily doses are administered to stimulate the ovary. It helps produce egg-containing follicles. The medicine further boosts these follicles to mature.

Clomiphene Citrate: This can stop the effect of oestrogen hormone. This act in turn signals the pituitary gland to spike the follicle stimulating hormone. This results in ovulation. It has to be taken orally between days 3-7or between 5th and 9th day of the menstrual cycle. The success chances depend on a series of factors like semen parameters, patient age and existing fertility issues, if any.

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin: These are administered in the form of injections when the follicles measure at least 16 to 18 millimeters in diameter. It helps with the final maturation and stimulates luteum to secrete progesterone. This hormone helps to prepare the uterus lining for egg implantation.

Lupron: This medicine is injected early in the menstrual cycle. Doctors prescribe this only when the patient is expected to respond poorly to the treatment. It tends to cause an initial increase in FSH and LH. This helps to reduce the interference of the pituitary gland with egg development.

Are You a Right Candidate for Ovulation Induction?

Before processing this infertility treatment, the doctors look at a number of medical and non-medical conditions. These determine whether or the procedure would be successful.

• The amount of physical activities you perform every day.
• The hormone levels, especially the presence of LH, FSH and AMH.
• Underlying disorders like obesity, thyroid, PCOS or eating issues.

These factors play a vital role in determining the success of ovulation induction. The right treatment with individually tailored program can restore fertility in a woman in an effective and safe manner.

Side Effects of Ovulation Induction

Every medical procedure is accompanied by side effects. Similarly, ovulation induction also comes with nausea, bloating, weight gain and hot flashes. Consider working with a doctor to manage these conditions before they snowball into serious issues. However, if you notice clear and slipper vaginal mucus, don’t panic. This is the sign that ovulation is about to begin.

Use an ovulation calculator to understand your most fertile window. These are the days you have high chances of pregnancy. Further, learn the techniques of self-administered injections to perform the treatment at home itself.