Many couples and individuals struggle to conceive without success for one reason or the other. Infertility indiscriminately affects women and men of any race, ethnicity, and nationality. Luckily for women, medical breakthroughs have presented unique opportunities to conceive. One such way is through ovulation induction therapy.
What Is Ovulation Induction Therapy?
Ovulation induction therapy is a technique where a doctor prescribes medication to stimulate the maturation of eggs (ova) in the ovaries and subsequent release for fertilization and implantation on the uterine walls. The prescription can be tablets or injections and stimulates both the right and left ovaries to produce multiple eggs leading to the birth of multiples.
How Is Ovulation Induction Therapy Administered?
Some women do not ovulate because they are underweight or overweight, while others fail to ovulate with no medical explanation. Ovulation induction therapy services are available to women experiencing unexplained fertility, PCOD/PCOS cases, and cases where other types of fertility medications have failed.
Ovulation induction therapy can also be combined with fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
Are You a Good Candidate for Ovulation Induction Therapy?
When considering ovulation induction, your doctor will want to ensure you are not suffering from other conditions such as thyroid, endocrine, or prolactin issues. After making sure you are a healthy candidate, your doctor will proceed to help you get started. If you cannot conceive within a year, consult your gynecologist for further tests and treatments.
Ovulation Induction Side Effects
Some ovulation induction medications can cause issues like OHSS. OHSS symptoms vary from one patient to the next ranging in severity. Some of these symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Hot flashes
- Blurry vision
- Tenderness in the pelvic area
- Weight gain
These symptoms fade after a few weeks with minimal medical intervention. The birth of multiples is also more likely with ovarian superovulation.
How Long Does the Therapy Take to Work?
All bodies react differently to the medications provided during ovulation induction therapy. Some women will see results in the first few days through a positive pregnancy test, while others may not realize any results. Some doctors will combine ovulation induction therapy with insemination to increase the chances of fertilization happening. In addition, more hormonal treatments will be prescribed to improve the chances of implantation on the uterine walls.
How Can You Prepare for Ovulation Induction Therapy?
You first need to schedule a consultation with your gynecologist and get the preliminary tests done to determine the problem behind your infertility. Next, you will want to eat a healthy diet and engage in moderate exercises (extreme exercising can affect your ovulation). Your doctor will advise you on how to take your medication; it is vital to follow the instructions strictly. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption during fertility treatments, as they can affect your hormonal balance. And finally, it is essential to keep manageable expectations for the entire process.
Ovulation Induction Therapy Q&A
Is ovulation induction successful?
About 25% of female infertility cases stem from ovulation issues, so ovulation induction therapy is a beneficial and cost-effective fertility treatment as a first alternative.
What medication is used for ovulation induction therapy?
A variety of hormone-based medications is used to regulate or mimic a woman’s reproductive hormones to increase the chances of ovulation. Some commonly used drugs include:
- Aromatase inhibitors: This medication has similar indicators as clomiphene citrate, making it very effective in patients with PCOS. Most patients know this drug under the brand names letrozole or Femara.
- Clomiphene Citrate: This medication helps stimulate ovulation in women with regular pituitary function. It is typically used in women whose monthly cycle is not occurring for some reason. You may know this medication as Clomid.
- Insulin-sensitizing agents: Some patients may present with symptoms of diabetes or pre-diabetes, and these medications are perfect for them.
- Gonadotropins: These medications consist of two injectable compounds. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone encourage the development of the ova. They are both naturally present in the body, although they may sometimes be in low concentrations. Because these hormones have a powerful effect on the body, your doctor may want to monitor your progress closely.
- Bromocriptine: This is a dopamine agonist that may be used when ovulating issues are caused by an excess of prolactin produced by the pituitary gland.
All these medications are applicable in various infertility cases and should only be prescribed by a board-certified doctor.
What is the cost of infertility treatment?
Luckily for most couples, the insurance covers fertility treatments, although not all. Some states require insurance companies to cover the cost of infertility treatment, while others don’t. It all depends on your specific health insurance policy. Without insurance, infertility treatment can get quite expensive, depending on the type of treatment and the dosage. Consult with your primary care physician for further details.
