• Why do you need it?
    • Normally, a woman’s ovary releases a single developed egg each month. However, not all women ovulate regularly, therefore these women might require medications to help them release an egg. Common conditions that cause anovulation are:
      • PCOS
      • Obesity
      • Thyroid problems
      • Elevated prolactin
      • Extremes of body weight (low or high BMI)
    • The purpose of ovulation induction is to bring about ovulation.
  • Medications that can be used for ovulation induction:
    • Clomiphene citrate
    • Letrozole
    • Metformin
    • Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)
    • Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • What are our chances of pregnancy?
    • In young women, around 15% for the first few cycles in which ovulation occurs.
    • Success rates are also dependent on your infertility diagnosis.
    • Your treatment team will tell you when to have sex to maximize your chances of conception.
  • Pros
    • It’s the least invasive of all treatments, as it requires taking a medicine orally or in the form of shots.
  • Cons
    • There is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (swollen and painful ovaries, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and chest).
    • The drugs used in stimulation can cause mood swings. See our tips on how to manage your mental health during this period.
    • Risk of developing ovarian cysts.
    • Since the woman is being stimulated to release eggs, there is a greater chance of multiple births. This type of pregnancy has more risks, such as having babies who are born too early and/or of low birthweight.