#ThursdayThoughts
As promised, each Thursday, we will now offer you a piece of educational, science, or research related information. The purpose of our #ThursdayThoughts post is to share with you fact-based content that can enlighten and assist you on your fertility journey. Enjoy our post! Helping to Create New Beginnings….
Ovulation Induction and Superovulation Cycles
Although some patients with infertility will require the use of advanced technology such as in vitro fertilization, many patients can start with simple, effective treatment cycles such as ovulation induction with oral or injectable medications. These cycles can be completed with or without the addition of intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Women with a history of irregular menses and/or ovulatory dysfunction may benefit from ovulation induction. Medications such as clomiphene citrate or letrozole are used to stimulate the ovaries to release and ovulate an egg. These medications act by increasing endogenous production of hormones such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which will then in turn cause the ovary to mature and release one or more eggs. Injectable medications can also be used; these medications contain FSH which directly acts on the ovaries. Injectable medications are typically more potent than oral medications, and are often used when oral medications have been unsuccessful or with certain infertility diagnoses.
Women with a history of diminished ovarian reserve or unexplained infertility may also benefit from ovarian stimulation with oral or injectable medications. In these cases, superovulation (maturing and releasing more than one egg) is the goal of the treatment cycle, although the medications used are similar. Superovulation, especially when combined with IUI, has been shown to be an effective treatment for women with a number of infertility diagnoses, and is often the first line therapy for many patients when the fallopian tubes are normal. A basic fertility evaluation can determine if simple therapy like ovulation induction/superovulation is right for you.
If you would like more information regarding infertility treatment, please schedule an appointment with one of our physicians by calling the Fertility Institute of Hawaii at 808-545-2800, or visit our website at https://www.ivfcenterhawaii.com/ for more information.
