What is ovulation induction?
Ovulation induction is the gentle stimulation of the ovaries to produce an egg, using medication such as Clomiphene citrate, Letrozole or Gonadotrophins.
Who’s it for?
Ovulation induction is recommended for patients who have irregular menstrual cycles or do not ovulate regularly, for example patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and where the partner’s semen analysis is normal. For women who have regular periods, ovulation induction is not usually recommended.
What does treatment look like?
Clomiphene and Letrozole are taken as tablets in the first part of your menstrual cycle. In order to monitor their effectiveness, our team will monitor your ovaries by ultrasound scan in the first cycle of treatment.
Couples are advised to have intercourse every 2 to 3 days throughout a cycle of ovulation induction.
Ovulation induction is recommended for a maximum of 6 cycles.
Gonadotrophins such as Gonal F, Ovaleap, Menopur and Bemfola are more powerful drugs used for ovarian induction. These are generally used if mild stimulants failed. They are given via injection, and can be used alone, however at NUH Life, most of the time they are used in combination with IUI.
Gonadotrophins are also used in IVF/ICSI treatment at higher doses, where the aim is to produce up to 15 eggs – this is known as ovarian stimulation.