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In Vitro Fertilization Part 1:
Ovulation-Induction Medications
The purpose of ovulation induction is to produce multiple eggs for the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure.
Ovulation induction with medications is the first step in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. Normal ovulation usually produces only one egg. Ovulation induction with medications stimulates many follicles in your ovaries to develop so that several eggs can be retrieved for the IVF procedure. Your doctor will evaluate you frequently during this time to make sure your follicles (egg sacs) are developing properly and to evaluate the right time for egg retrieval. Once your follicles are developed, your doctor will retrieve the mature eggs.
What to expect during ovulation induction
Ovulation induction involves treatment with medications to stimulate follicle growth. A GnRH analog may be used to control follicle growth. Your treatment will depend on your specific needs.
- A few days after your period begins, you may start treatment with follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) and/or human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG).
- For the next week or so, your doctor will evaluate your hormone levels and examine your follicles by ultrasound frequently, to evaluate their development. Your doctor will also be monitoring you for potential medication side effects.
- When your follicles are almost mature, your doctor will tell you when to take your human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection. hCG causes the final maturation of the eggs. The hCG injection is usually given about 35 hours before egg retrieval is scheduled.
Questions & Answers
Q. What tests are used to examine my follicles and evaluate when the eggs are mature?
A. Before you start your medication, you will likely have an ultrasound and a blood test. These tests will probably be repeated every few days, and they may become more frequent as your follicles reach maturity.
Q. A friend told me that she couldn’t get her hCG injection during her first IVF attempt. What happened?
A. There are a few reasons why an hCG injection may be withheld:
- There are not enough mature eggs for the IVF procedure—the follicles may not have developed properly, or only 1 or 2 follicles developed
- The woman ovulates prematurely (and the eggs cannot be retrieved)
- The woman develops too many follicles, and the doctor feels that it would be unsafe to give the hCG injection
Q. I heard that ovulation induction is a very time-consuming process. Is that true?
A. Yes. A lot of your time will be devoted to attending appointments with your doctor, going for lab work, and taking your medications at exactly the right times. Ovulation induction will become a priority in your life (during that cycle), and everything else will have to be scheduled around your appointments and dosing schedule. It is a good idea to limit your social engagements during that time—you and your partner will need as much free time as you can get.
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