OVULATION INDUCTION

Ovulation induction is the process of using medications to stimulate ovulation in women who have irregular or absent ovulation (anovulation). According to the National Institutes of Health, 25 to 30 percent of women with infertility have problems with ovulation. Normal ovulation occurs when the ovary releases a mature egg in preparation for that egg to be fertilized. Normal ovulation occurs roughly once every 28 days during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Intervals of 21 to 35 days are considered acceptable and reflective of normal ovulation. If fertilization does not occur, the mature egg and any supplementary tissues are broken down and cleared from the uterus naturally. The goal of ovulation induction is to increase a woman’s chances of conceiving a child, either through sexual intercourse or by using intrauterine insemination (IUI) or another fertility treatment. However, when the absence of ovulation is a symptom of another fertility issue, treating the underlying problem can also restore normal ovulation and fertility.

Ovulation induction is a treatment for anovulation (irregular ovulation), an infertility condition in which follicles in a woman’s ovary do not mature and release eggs (ovulate). Anovulation can be caused by certain reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), nutritional problems or excessive exercise.
Ovulation induction is typically achieved with a variety of medications that stimulate the ovary to produce and release eggs.
If the treatment is successful, the woman will ovulate and can become pregnant naturally using intrauterine insemination (IUI) or other fertility treatments.
Approximately 25 percent of female infertility cases stem from problems with ovulation, so ovulation induction can be a beneficial and cost-effective first treatment.