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Some women have a difficult time conceiving due to an infrequency or absence of ovulation. Before, such women would have been stamped as infertile, however today there are methods of ovulation induction that increase a woman’s egg development, induce ovulation and thus turn pregnancy from a dream into a reality.
Why Ovulation Induction
Infertility is generally caused by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also known as anovulation, which is when a woman’s body does not produce mature ovarian follicles and thus never produces mature eggs that can be fertilized. Ovulation induction medication stimulates the ovarian follicles to grow and develop one or more eggs into maturity. The drugs then stimulate the ovarian follicles to release the mature eggs into the fallopian tube in order to be fertilized.
How Ovulation Induction Works
Certain medications cause follicles in the ovaries to develop mature eggs, and then induces their release into the fallopian tubes to be fertilized either through natural intercourse or in vetro fertilization. The medications most generally used for ovulation induction are as follows:
- Clomiphene citrate – best for women who have irregular periods and menstrual cycles that last longer than usual. They are simple tablets that you take orally on certain days of your menstrual cycle and help your follicles to develop mature eggs.
- Gonadotropins – given as an injection and causes the ovarian follicles to release a developed and mature egg at a certain time.
- Metformin – an oral medication that reverses abnormalities caused by polycystic ovary syndrome causing normal fertility. In addition to being used as a fertility drug, metformin is generally used as an insulin lowering medication, and also helps to regulate high blood pressure, cause weight loss and stop face and body hair from growing.
- Parlodel – is given orally and should be taken with meals. It reduces prolactin levels and reduces the size of pituitary tumors.
When To Use Ovulation Induction
If a woman’s eggs are in good quality and other causes of infertility are not present such as problems with the cervix or uterus then ovulation induction can be performed at any time. Unfortunately if a woman is experiencing menopause or premature ovarian failure, ovulation induction is not an option and the only way to get pregnant is with egg donation.
Possible Side effects to Ovulation Induction:
- Increased chance for multiple births. Inducing ovulation causes the follicles in your ovaries to produce multiple eggs and release them for fertilization at a controlled time so you can plan when to have intercourse and schedule intrauterine inseminations and in vitro fertilization during ovulation.
- Chance of ovarian cysts.
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). A rare overstimulation of the ovaries from the medications may cause severe pain in the pelvis, abdomen and chest along with nausea, vomiting, bloating, weight gain and labored breathing.
As with all medications, it is vital that you speak with a doctor before taking any ovulation induction drugs as they may seriously cause health risks and interfere with other medications you may be taking. A doctor should always diagnose your condition before you take action.
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