What is Ovulation Induction?

Ovulation induction is a fertility treatment that uses oral or injectable medications to stimulate egg growth in women who do not ovulate regularly or at all.

  • Ultrasound scans, with or without blood tests, are performed to monitor egg development.
  • When one or more eggs are close to maturity, medication is given to trigger ovulation.
  • Timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI) follows to achieve pregnancy.

Who May Benefit from Ovulation Induction

Ovulation induction may be suitable for:

  • Women with irregular ovulation or no ovulation (such as PCOS or anovulation)
  • Women with unexplained infertility
  • Couples with mild male factor infertility
  • Couples using donor sperm (single women, LGBTQ couples)
  • Women with endometriosis
  • Couples using frozen sperm (male partner unavailable or out of town)

How Ovulation Induction is Performed

  1. Medication – Patients may take oral drugs (e.g., Clomiphene, Letrozole) or injectable gonadotropins to stimulate the ovaries.
  2. Monitoring – Regular ultrasounds (and sometimes blood tests) check follicle growth and hormone levels.
  3. Trigger Shot – When the egg(s) are nearly mature, a trigger injection is given to induce ovulation.
  4. Fertilization Attempt – Timed intercourse or IUI is performed:
    • Sperm from the male partner or donor is washed and concentrated.
    • Washed sperm is placed directly into the uterus, aiming to reach the egg through at least one open fallopian tube.

1 Medication

2 Monitoring

3 Trigger Shot

4 Fertilization Attempt

Mini Stimulation IVF (Mini Stim IVF)

For women with a low antral follicle count (AFC), a gentler stimulation protocol may be used:

  • Combines a small dose of injectable medications with oral medications.
  • Reduces the cost of treatment and may have fewer side effects.
  • Most patients require more than one cycle; a 3-cycle mini stim package can significantly reduce financial burden.