Ovulation Induction

Ovulation Induction
Ovulation Induction

Jin. Kiss. Dr. MürüdeÇakartaş Dağdelen gave information about “Ovulation Induction”;

Ovulation induction involves using hormone-based fertility drugs to stimulate a woman's egg production and release. It has become an essential element of fertility treatments and can be used on its own or as a component of other assisted reproductive technologies such as intrauterine semi-semination (IUI), IVF, and infertility treatment due to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Ovulation is an important part of a normal menstrual cycle, which includes three phases. During the follicular stage, the body changes hormone levels to stimulate the follicles. This causes a follicle to simply become dominant and produce a mature egg. The ovulation phase releases the egg and travels to the fallopian tubes where sperm can find it and fertilize it. In the luteal stage, the follicle that produces and releases the egg secretes hormones that prepare the uterus for a possible fertilized egg (embryo).

A problem during ovulation short-circuits the cycle, which can lead to pregnancy. About 25 percent of all female infertility is due to ovulation problems, and ovulation induction through hormone stimulation has become an effective treatment that increases pregnancy success rates. Ovulation problems may include the inability to produce fully mature eggs or the inability to produce any eggs (anovulation).

Detail: Ovulation Induction

Ovulation Who should consider induction?

Women who never ovulated or ovulated but did not become pregnant are good candidates for ovulation induction. The following conditions and situations may require ovulation induction:

  • Cases of anovulation, that is, the woman does not ovulate
  • Irregular or infrequent ovulation (oligo ovulation) causes eggs not to be released at the appropriate time
  • Absence of menstrual periods (called amenorrhea) or periods that are irregular due to PCOS, abnormal pituitary hormone levels, and other causes
  • Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin serum)
  • Hypothalamic problems where the brain's hypothalamus does not signal ovulation
  • IUI procedures
  • IVF procedures
  • Presence of other conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, obesity, stress, thyroid disease, and eating disorders.

The obstetrician will determine the type of fertility drug to be used for ovulation induction depending on the underlying cause.

Ovulation risks of induction

Ovulation induction increases the risk of pregnancy with twins, triplets or more. Such multiple pregnancies have health risks for the mother and child, such as low birth weight preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and developmental problems for the child.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), in which the ovaries become swollen and painful, can occur after ovulation induction when the dose of medication is higher than the individual's body can easily tolerate. Most cases are mild, with bloating, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Severe cases of OHSS may include rapid weight gain, exaggeration of the above symptoms, shortness of breath, dizziness, and dark-colored urine. Women experiencing symptoms of OHSS should discuss these with their doctor.

The drugs themselves can produce side effects such as bloating, nausea, hot flashes, blurred vision, headache, and inflammation at the injection sites.

Multiple pregnancy risk

Ovulation induction drugs can cause more than one follicle to develop and mature in one menstrual cycle. That is, more than one egg may be released when you ovulate. This increases your chances of multiple pregnancies, which can pose risks to both mother and babies.

Your doctor will monitor you regularly to help prevent this. Using a combination of blood tests and ultrasound, they will monitor how many follicles mature in your ovaries during any given cycle.

If too many follicles seem 'dominant', they may recommend that you avoid having sex during this round. You can try ovulation induction again next month.

Drugs used for ovulation induction

If your doctor determines that ovulation induction is necessary, you will be prescribed medication. These medications are hormone-based and designed to help regulate your reproductive hormones and increase your chances of ovulating. Some of the common medications prescribed for ovulation induction include:

 Clomiphenecitrate (CC) 

For women who have normal pituitary hormones but do not experience cycle-related changes in hormones, CC acts as a hormonal stimulant. This is one of the most common ovulation induction drugs and is more commonly known by the name Clomid.

 Insulin sensitizing agents

It is not uncommon for women with COS to have evidence of pre-diabetes or to be diagnosed with diabetes. Insulin sensitizing drugs minimize androgen production and ovulation continues. The commonly known name of this drug is Metformin.

 Aromatase Inhibitors

This hormonal drug works like CC as it acts directly to stimulate ovulation. Aromatase inhibitors have proven effective for some patients suffering from PCOS. The brand name Letrozole and Femara are more recognizable names for this drug.

 Gonadotropins

Gonadotropins consist of two separate injectable hormone-based drugs. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are normally produced by the pituitary gland and are effective in egg development. Gonadotropins are very effective and very powerful hormonal simulators. Therefore, you will be under closer medical supervision during your treatment than with other ovulation induction drugs. This will help minimize risks including ovarian hyperstimulation, which can result in painfully swollen ovaries and multiple embryos.

Source: https://ivoxtupbebekmerkezi.com/