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Ovulation Induction services offered in San Diego, CA
If you’re undergoing IVF (in vitro fertilization) or IUI (intrauterine insemination), ovulation induction is a vital part of the process. Samuel Wood, MD, PhD, MA, MBA, HCLD/CC(ABB), FACOG, and his team at Gen 5 Fertility Center in San Diego, California, are experts in ovulation induction. They prescribe medications that increase the number of eggs you produce, optimizing your chances of conception. To learn more about ovulation induction, call Gen 5 Fertility Center today or go online to book an appointment.
Ovulation Induction Q&A
What is ovulation induction?
Ovulation induction is a hormonal treatment that stimulates egg maturity and release (ovulation). It involves taking certain medications that the Gen 5 Fertility Center team prescribes for you.
The ovulation induction process is a critical part of treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Gen 5 Fertility Center team performs ovulation induction after completing a thorough evaluation. It’s also important that hormonal issues, such as thyroid disorders, receive treatment before undergoing ovulation induction.
Who can benefit from ovulation induction?
Ovulation induction is beneficial for women who can’t ovulate or do so infrequently. It can also increase the number of eggs that mature in a single cycle, improving the chances of conception.
Ovulation induction could also help women with infertility challenges with no apparent cause. Ovulation-stimulating medications can result in two or three eggs maturing, improving the quality and quantity of eggs and increasing the likelihood of pregnancy compared to when only one egg is produced.
What drugs are used in ovulation induction?
The Gen 5 Fertility Center team uses several fertility drugs for ovulation induction, including:
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid®)
Clomiphene citrate makes your body think your estrogen hormone levels are low, which promotes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production and multiple egg release in a single menstrual cycle.
Letrozole (Femara®)
The Gen 5 Fertility Center team might use letrozole as an alternative to clomiphene citrate. Letrozole works in a similar way but might be better for women who experience side effects when taking clomiphene citrate. Letrozole is also less likely to result in multiple egg fertilization, so the chance of having twins or triplets is reduced.
What does the ovulation induction procedure involve?
Clomiphene citrate and letrozole are oral pills that you take daily, usually for only 5 days at the beginning of your treatment cycle. The Gen 5 Fertility Center team monitors follicle growth using ultrasound imaging. When the eggs are ready, you may ovulate naturally or have an injection to trigger ovulation.
The next part of the process depends on whether you’re doing IUI or IVF. IUI involves inserting prepared semen from your partner or a donor into your uterus. With IVF, you undergo egg extraction, and fertilization takes place in the lab.
For more information on ovulation induction and how it can boost your fertility, call Gen 5 Fertility Center today or book an appointment online.