Understanding Ovulation Induction

At its most simplified, conception is the result of the union between egg and sperm. While sperm can be ready at a moment’s notice, a mature egg is only available to be fertilized during the short window of ovulation each month. As soon as the egg bursts out of the ovary, the clock is already ticking, and if ovulation doesn’t happen or doesn’t happen predictably, it can make it very difficult to get pregnant. 

Using medications including Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) and Femara (Letrozole), your reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF can make eggs develop and ultimately ovulate. These oral medications induce the ovaries to develop follicles. Blood and transvaginal ultrasound follicle monitoring can help the doctor know if the medication is working properly.  

When the follicles on ultrasound demonstrate that the eggs are ready to go, a hormonal trigger shot (called hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin) tells the body to go ahead and release a mature egg(s). Then, your doctor tells you when to have sex (timed intercourse) or an IUI procedure (intrauterine inseminiation) in order to hopefully fertilize that egg.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT GOING THROUGH OVULATION INDUCTION?

It all starts with a period. If you don’t normally get a period, your Boston IVF doctor will induce a period using a medication that tells the uterus to shed its lining. 

Cycle day 1 is when your period starts. The medications are typically begun within the first few days of your cycle. After a few days, you’ll come into an office or monitoring center for bloodwork and ultrasound to keep an eye on how the follicles are developing. As the follicles develop, you may need to come in for several monitoring visits, sometimes even every day. 

Over time, a dominant follicle will form – when this follicle is 18-22 mm in diameter, you’re ready to ovulate. You’ll use a trigger shot at a time calculated by your care team, and then follow instructions to have timed intercourse or come in for IUI. Both timed intercourse and IUI serve the same purpose: to introduce sperm at the ideal moment in hopes of fertilizing the mature egg.