Ovulation Induction
If you and your partner are considering fertility treatment, you may need to decide whether or not you would like to pursue ovulation induction. Fertility treatments are often used in combination with various drugs that are designed to help trigger ovulation. Before undergoing any type of fertility treatment, be sure to speak with your reproductive endocrinologist about ovulation induction.
What is Ovulation Induction?
Ovulation induction is a type of medical therapy often performed alongside certain fertility treatments. Typically, medications that are used to help trigger the development of egg follicles are known as ovulation inducers. Ovulation induction often triggers the development of more than one egg during ovulation.
Why Induce Ovulation?
Ovulation is often induced in order to help women who cannot ovulate regularly produce an egg during their montly cycle. Ovulation induction is also used in order to trigger the ovaries to release more than one egg during ovulation. Sometimes, inducing ovulation can allow two or three eggs to be released at once, therefore increasing your chances of pregnancy.
Who Can Benefit from Ovulation Induction?
A large percentage of women seeking fertility treatment can benefit from ovulation induction. In particular, women suffering from the following conditions may find ovulation induction particularly helpful in increasing their chances of pregnancy:
Factors Affecting Ovulation Induction
There are certain factors that will affect the success of ovulation. Before choosing ovulation induction, your reproductive endocrinologist will evaluate:
If the quality and quantity of your ovarian reserve is poor, ovulation induction may not be the right route for you.
Types of Ovulation Inducers
There are four types of medication that can be used to help trigger ovulation.
Clomid
Clomid, or clomiphene citrate, is one of the most well known ovulation inducers. Clomid is a relatively inexpensive fertility medication and can usually be used with limited monitoring. However, it does require some blood testing, so it should only be used with the supervision of your reproductive endocrinologist.
- How Is Clomid Taken?
Clomid is taken orally, on specific days of your menstrual cycle. It is typically on through Days 3 to 7 or through Days 5 to 9. It is sometimes paired with Provera, a medication that can help to induce menstruation. The initial dose of Clomid is taken immediately after your menstrual period begins. This dose is typically around 50 milligrams, although it can be increased if ovulation does not occur.
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After Ovulation Begins
Your reproductive endocrinologist will monitor you for ovulation. When an egg is released, you and your partner will engage in timed intercourse, in order to increase the chances of conception. Fertility treatments, including IUI will also begin at this time.
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Clomid Success Rates
Clomid is usually highly successful in inducing ovulation. Between 50% and 80% of women taking Clomid will begin to ovulate. However, this does not necessarily mean that you will be able to achieve pregnancy. Pregnancy rates per cycle are typically between 10% and 15%, however this depends upon the type of fertility treatment that you and your partner are using. Pregnancy rates with Clomid are lower because the medication can sometimes compromise the quality of your eggs and cervical mucus.
Injectable Gonadotropins
Injectable gonadotropins are also used to help induce ovulation in certain women. This medication works to induce ovulation as it contains FSH (follicle stimulating hormones). FSH helps to trigger the development of follicles inside of your ovaries, triggering ovulation. This type of fertility medication is more expensive then Clomid, typically costing between $35 and $75 per ampule. As many as six ampules of the medication may be required for every injection day.
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How are Gonadotropins Taken?
Gonadotropins are also taken on specific days of your menstrual cycle. Intramuscular injections containing the gonadotropins are usually adminstered by your care giver for a period of eight to 14 days. As your follicles begin to show signs of maturation, you will also receive an injection of hCG, to help induce ovulation.
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After Ovulation Begins
After ovulation begins, you and your partner will be instructed to have timed intercourse, or to make an appointment to begin IUI treatments.
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Gonadotropin Success Rates
Gonadotropin is highly successful when it comes to inducing ovulation. More thn 90% of women taking this drug begin to ovulate. Pregnancy rates per cycle are generally around 15%. However, gonadotropin is not without its side effects. There is a risk of multiple births when using gonadotropins to stimulate ovulation. Approximately 15% of all pregnancies are twins, and 3% are triplets or higher order multiples. There is also a risk for developing hyperstimulation, in which your ovaries become enlarged, and your abdominal area becomes swollen with fluid. This can be avoided with proper monitoring.
GnRH Pump
This type of ovulation induction uses a small pump to help deliver fertility medication. It delivers GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) in small, sustained doses. GnRH can help to induce follicular development and ovulation in some anovulatory women. The pump is particularly effective for women suffering from hypothalamic amenorrhea. This is a condition which inhibits menstruation due to the lack of hormone production in the hypothalamic region of the brain.
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How Do You Use the GnRH Pump?
The GnRH pump is worn on your body at all times throughout your cycle. It must also be worn overnight. The pump releases small amounts of medication into your body every hour or so through a series of subcutaneous needles. The pump will be inserted by your care giver at your fertility clinic.
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GnRH Pump Success Rates
The GnRH pump is over 90% successful in inducing ovulation. Over a period of eight months, about 80% of patients will conceive. The GnRH pump is also associated with little risk of multiple pregnancy and very easy to use.
Bromocriptine
Bromocriptine is a fairly inexpensive fertility medication used to help induce ovulation. It works by lowering the levels of prolactin in your body. When elevated, prolactin can result in anovulation and amenorrhea.
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How is Bromocriptine Taken?
Like clomid, bromocriptine is also taken orally. It is usually taken once or twice a day to help lower prolactin levels, and restore ovulation and menstruation.
Bromocriptine Success Rates
Bromocriptine is highly effective at restoring normal ovulation and menstruation. More than 90% of women using bromocriptine, experience normal menstrual cycles. Bromocriptine in not associated with an increased risk for multiple births or with ovarian hyperstimulation.
Getting Pregnant
