What is Ovulation Induction?
Women who suffer from irregular and unpredictable menstrual periods often experience infertility because they are not ovulating (releasing an egg). Ovulation induction uses various medications to induce the growth and release of a single mature egg. However, care must be taken to avoid the release of multiple eggs so as to limit the possibility of multiple pregnancy. Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome often fail to ovulate regularly and restoration of normal cycles in these women may quickly result in a successful pregnancy.
Superovulation Uses Medication to Induce the Release of Multiple Eggs
Superovulation is a similar treatment, but the goal is different. Superovulation still uses medication to induce follicle growth, but the goal is to induce the growth of multiple follicles leading to the release of multiple eggs. At Dominion Fertility we prefer to combine superovulation with in vitro fertilization (Stimulated Cycle IVF) to provide the highest success and lowest incidence of multiple pregnancies.
Various Medicines Can be Used for Ovulation Induction
If you and your doctor decide that ovulation induction is right for you, the next step is to decide which medications to use.
Letrozole (a pill) is often the fertility drug of choice for both ovulation induction and superovulation. If a treatment with Letrozole doesn’t result in a pregnancy, injectable fertility medications (gonadotropins) might be a good option. Both options, Letrozole and injectable fertility medications, can be combined with intrauterine insemination to increase your chances of a pregnancy.
Because every situation is different, other medications might be prescribed depending on your goals and diagnosis, especially if you have PCOS. You doctor will help you figure out which options are best for you.
