oral ovulation induction

Increase Your Fertility with Ovulation Induction

If you are experiencing female infertility and want to reach your pregnancy goals, ovulation induction is an option we provide at PFCLA. Contact us to find out if this is the right treatment for you.

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What Is Ovulation Induction?

Ovulation induction is a process where you take fertility medications to stimulate the release of one or more eggs from your ovary. Medicine provided with this treatment can help you or your partner develop a mature egg if you can’t ovulate or ovulate irregularly. During the intial consultation, your doctor will address any concerns you may have about this treatment and provide you with a solution that works best for you.

Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend one of several treatments:

Ovulation Induction Medication

There are two types of ovulation induction medications: oral and injectables. Your doctor will usually provide you with either clomopheneoral or letrozole tablets as a first-line treatment if you are unable to ovulate or ovulate infrequently. These tablets are easily administrable, have minimal side effects, offer a lower cost, decrease your risk of multiple pregnancies, and involve less monitoring. 

However, if you've tried oral medication without successful ovulation, your doctor will ask you to consider injectables such as gonadotropins as another form of infertility medication.

Your doctor will also use clomiphene or gonadotropins for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.

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What To Expect During the Ovulation Induction Process

Here’s what you can expect during an ovulation induction treatment:

  1. In most cases, you’ll take clomiphene pills orally or inject gonadotropins under your skin once in the evening (e.g., between 5 PM and 8 pm). 
  2. After taking the clomiphene or after a few days of injections, your doctor will ask you to take part in a pelvic ultrasound to measure follicle growth. You also may be asked to take a blood test to measure hormone levels.
  3. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor will then advise you to increase or decrease the gonadotropin dose.
  4. If you don’t ovulate independently, the goal is to have one follicle approximately appear at 15 to 18 mm in size. If three or more follicles (greater than 15 mm each) appear, your physicians will advise you to cancel the cycle due to the risk of becoming pregnant with twins, triplets, etc. 
  5. In some situations, your doctor will advise you to convert the cycle to include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), which allows the doctor to control the number of embryos placed in the uterus.

Note: Your doctor may request you to repeat blood testing and pelvic ultrasound during a cycle.

Ovulation Induction Outcomes 

The goal of this treatment is to have one follicle grow around your viable egg. Your doctor can cancel the cycle if you develop too many eggs, which increases the risk of multiple pregnancies. 

In some situations, the cycle may be converted to an IVF treatment, allowing your doctor control over the number of embryos placed in your uterus.

Side Effects of Ovulation Induction 

The side effects of these medications are usually minimal. These include but are not limited to: 

  • Hot flashes 
  • Night sweats 
  • Sleep disturbances 
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue 
  • Mild nausea 
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Mood changes

In rare cases, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) can occur. 

Read More About OHSS ➜

If you are already ovulating but experience infertility, your doctor can provide the same procedures outlined above to increase the number of ovulated eggs per cycle. This process is called Superovulation or Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH).

Fertility Services Available with Ovulation Induction

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Conventional IVF

Realize your dreams of having a baby with Conventional IVF. At PFCLA, you’ll be in the best of care with over 20,000 IVF procedures performed and unparalleled success rates to increase your chances of bringing your baby home.

Conventional IVF Overview ➜

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Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Leveraging both Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and Ovulation Induction can increase your chances of conception if you are single and using a sperm donor or have a partner struggling with male infertility.

IUI Overview ➜

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Mini IVF

For a more cost-effective, less invasive procedure, many intended parents turn to Mini IVF to overcome infertility challenges and achieve a happy, healthy pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about if Mini IVF is right for you.

Mini IVF Overview ➜

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Receive Careful and Compassionate Care

Get in touch with a member of our staff to learn more about ovulation induction and what it can do for you. If you have any questions or if you're ready to get started, contact us today. You’ll feel supported by everyone from knowledgeable, empathetic doctors and staff.

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