Ovulation Induction: Enhancing Fertility through Controlled Stimulation
Ovulation induction aims to cause release of eggs by anovulating women or increase the number of eggs released every month with the assumption that this increases the number of eggs available for fertilization or implantation, and by extension, the chance of pregnancy. It may be combined with IUI, especially in couples with normal sperm count and morphology (structure) but weak motility. Establishment of tubal patency and normal uterine cavity is a pre-requisite. The ovulation induction can be achieved with oral medications (e.g. clomiphene citrate, tamoxifen, letrozole, and metformin) or by injections (gonadotropins FSH or hMG)
This appears to increase the pregnancy rate per month among couples with unexplained infertility and mild male factor, especially when combined with IUI.
It is more expensive than expectant management or natural cycle IUI and also requires frequent scans for tracking development of follicles (that contain eggs) and ovulatory trigger as well as semen production for insemination.
However, many patients with unexplained infertility and mild male factor infertility are happier with this treatment than expectant management or natural cycle IUI because of its modest cost and good results
