OVULATION INDUCTION (OI)

Ovulation induction (OI) is the term used to treat women who do not ovulate (release an egg from an ovary each month) by themselves or who ovulate irregularly.

The time between one period and the next is called the menstrual cycle (often referred to as a ‘cycle’). The cycle phases are controlled by the release of hormones, including Follicle Stimulating Hormone ( FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH), oestrogen and progesterone. Each one of these hormones plays a specific role throughout the cycle.

If you are having a regular cycle (25 to 35 days), you are usually ovulating. To estimate the day of ovulation, subtract 14 days from your average cycle length. So, if your cycles are 28 days, you will ovulate on day 14, however if your cycle length is 25 days, you will ovulate on Day 11.

There are many reasons why a woman may not be ovulating – Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), stress, over-exercising, obesity, excessive weight loss, hormonal imbalances (e.g. thyroid, prolactin) or low ovarian reserve (low egg numbers).

Fertility medications are sometimes necessary to stimulate the ovaries.

There are various ovulation detection kits, online applications and tools to monitor and track for ovulation.

Ovulation Induction Treatment

Once the fertility specialist has diagnosed an ovulation problem, options for treatments will be discussed with you. The aim will be to start you ovulating.

The fertility medications are either oral tablets or injections. Your doctor will decide which is most suitable for you. All medications aim to release Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), which stimulates the ovary to produce a follicle (a cyst-like structure that contains an egg). If you have injections, you will be monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds. This will identify ovulation and the optimal time for sexual intercourse to assist with achieving a pregnancy.

The length of the treatment is determined by the individual response of the woman. As women respond differently to different doses of medication, each patient has to be assessed individually and the dose tailored according to her response.

Letrozole or Clomiphene Tablets

Letrozole and clomiphene are oral medications that increase the level of LH and FSH hormones in the female body. This medication can stimulate the development of the egg and assist with its release. Both medications are taken for a course of 5 days, usually starting on the second day of your period until the sixth day of your period. Whilst taking the medication your fertility specialist will monitor the hormones to ensure ovulation has occurred. Letrozole or clomiphene is often prescribed for women who do not ovulate because of Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome - PCOS. Your fertility specialist will advise you to take either the letrozole or clomiphene tablets depending on your individual medical history.

Letrozole and clomiphene blocks the effect of oestrogen, which allows larger amounts of FSH to be released into the blood stream to promote follicular growth. As the follicle grows, it produces increasing oestrogen levels. When the oestrogen levels are high enough, this triggers LH to rise, which then leads to ovulation.

Up to 80% of women ovulate when taking Letrozole or clomiphene however, only 60% of women become pregnant. As the average couple takes about 6 months to conceive, it would be reasonable to expect pregnancy will not necessarily occur in the first treatment. If conception does not occur within 3–4 good ovulation cycles, it is advisable to have a review with your fertility specialist.

Occasionally, a woman will ovulate more than one egg, and a multiple pregnancy (e.g. twins) may occur in 8% of women.

FSH Injection

If Letrozole or clomiphene are not effective for you, the next stage of treatment is usually to start administering a stronger category of medication known as gonadotrophin, commonly referred to as FSH, which is a synthetic form of FSH. The injection is daily and self-administered into the abdomen. The dose is determined by such factors, as age, medical history and your body mass index (BMI).

The gonadotrophin FSH directly acts on the ovary, promoting development of the fluid sacs (follicles), which contain the eggs. The aim is to stimulate the growth of 1–2 follicles. Ideally, no more than 1–2 eggs should develop to maturity. It is sometimes necessary to cancel treatment if more than two follicles grow, because of the increased risk of a multiple pregnancy (e.g. twins, triplets).

While you are taking the FSH injection, monitoring with blood tests and scans is required to track your response. The amount of blood tests and scans will depend on your own individual response. You may need several blood tests and more than one scan. The length of the treatment is variable and tailored to the individual. Once the dominant follicle has been identified, you will be advised of when you will stop the FSH injections and proceed with a ‘trigger’ injection of a hormone called human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) to make the dominant follicle ovulate and allow for optimal timing of sexual intercourse.

After ovulation, the next phase of the cycle is called the luteal phase. This is the time implantation of the embryo into the lining of the uterus occurs. In the luteal phase another medication is required to assist with the preparation of the lining. This is a vaginal pessary application.

Your fertility specialist or fertility nurse will provide you with detailed information on how to take any oral medication/injections at home.

Contact Dr Nicole Hope
IVF & Fertility Care, Melbourne

Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm

except public holidays


03 9890 1811
Dr Nicole Hope consults at
the following locations:
Box Hill
Suite 17
28–32 Arnold Street
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Bundoora
Latrobe Medical Centre
920 Plenty Rd
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Clayton
Newlife IVF
245 Clayton Road
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