What You Should Know About the Ovulation Induction Stage of IVF
It's important to all of us at The Centre for Reproductive Medicine that patients understand each phase of treatment that they undergo. By knowing what to expect, patients can have realistic expectations about the fertility treatment process, and they tend to have a better experience as a patient overall. We've helped numerous patients throughout the greater Lubbock area using in vitro fertilization (IVF), one of the most well-known and most effective assisted reproduction treatments out there.
IVF involves multiple steps to complete. One of the most crucial steps of treatment is the ovulation induction stage. Let's take a moment right now to consider the basics of ovulation induction.
What is ovulation induction?
Ovulation induction refers to the stimulation of a woman's ovaries using fertility drugs in order to produce multiple mature and viable eggs.
During a normal cycle, a woman will only produce a single viable egg for fertilization. With ovulation induction, several mature eggs will be produced and then subsequently harvested in order to boost chances of successful fertility treatment.
Where Ovulation Induction Figures Into the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Process
Ovulation induction is one of the first steps of the process once a woman has been determined to be a good candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Once the viable eggs are mature, they are then retrieved from the ovaries to be inseminated and fertilized in a controlled lab setting.
What Patients Can Expect During Ovulation Induction
Roughly one week before a woman's cycle begins, she will be instructed to take certain fertility drugs in order to prevent early ovulation and to boost/alter levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH). The primary fertility drug is clomiphene citrate (e.g., Clomid® and Serophene®), which promotes higher levels of FSH and triggers the maturation of the eggs.
While using these fertility drugs, the patient is closely monitored using blood tests and ultrasound. This helps ensure that the eggs are developing properly and that the process of egg maturation is taking place as intended.
Once the viable eggs are mature, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is administered in order to trigger ovulation and release of these eggs.
Side Effects from Fertility Drugs Used During Ovulation Induction
The side effects that women experience from fertility drugs tend to be mild overall. These side effects include:
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Hot flashes
- Nausea
- Blurry vision
Potential Risks of Ovulation Induction
All procedures entail a certain degree of risk. With ovulation induction, risks that patients should note include:
- Increased chance of multiple pregnancies
- Development of ovarian cysts
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
During your consultation, we will be sure to cover all potential complications as well as the many benefits of fertility treatment so that you can make the best choice for you and your needs. We will be sure to answer all of your questions in full detail.
Get More Information About Fertility Treatment Options
To learn more about in vitro fertilization (IVF) and your many other options out there for advanced fertility treatment, be sure to contact our reproductive medicine and fertility specialists today. Dr. Janelle Dorsett and her entire team look forward to meeting you in person and helping you make the best decisions with regard to your family goals.
