Ovulation Induction

The aim of ovulation induction is to stimulate the maturation of ovarian follicles and induce ovulation.

DuoFertility will help you to plan the best time for baby-making intercourse by accurately identifying your most fertile days each menstrual cycle. However, in some cases, ovulation does not happen spontaneously: if you are using DuoFertility and fail to detect ovulation, we suggest that you see your doctor who may suggest taking a blood test. Based on the results, your doctor may suggest treatment for ovulation induction.

The most common treatments for ovulation induction include:

• Hormonal stimulation

  Hormonal stimulation compensates for insufficient hormone levels and treats problems such as irregularities in your cycle and the absence of ovulation. Hormonal stimulation consists of injections of either FSH or a combination of both LH and FSH in order to stimulate the ovaries. Side effects of hormonal stimulation include hot flushes, varicose veins, cellulite development, hair loss and weight gain. Patients typically have a 15% to 20% chance of conceiving per cycle.

• Metformin

  Metformin is used to treat fertility problems caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in overweight patients. Metformin rebalances hormonal levels and helps restore ovulation, if it is absent, and may also improve the quality of eggs. Metformin can be taken in combination with clomiphene citrate (Clomid). Around 20% of patients conceive within 6 months of starting Metformin treatment, however around one-third of patients experience nausea, occasional vomiting and diarrhea, whilst less commonly Metformin results in elevated levels of homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine is associated with coronary artery disease, heart attack, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, cognitive impairment, and cervical cancer.

• Clomid (clomiphene citrate)

  Clomid stimulates the maturation of your ovaries, leading to an increased production of follicles which are ready to ovulate each cycle. Clomid acts on several hormone receptors in your body, increasing the secretion of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), LH (luteinising hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). Using DuoFertility is a useful way of assessing how successful the clomid treatment is and of identifying when to start treatment. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness and a change in cervical mucus quality. Around 40% of women using clomid conceive within the first 3 months.

• Parlodel

  Parlodel is used to treat prolactin-related infertility, where the excessive secretion of prolactin inhibits the production of LH and FSH.

• Pulsatile GnRH

  Pulsatile GnRH is administered if your body is not naturally producing sufficient levels to stimulate FSH and LH secretion. GnRH is injected using a very thin needle every 90 minutes for 2 or 3 weeks.