Ovulation Induction

In a natural cycle one of the ovaries will discharge a matured egg, fourteen days prior to periods.

Anovulation can be due to;

• Hormonal imbalance as it is in PCO
• High prolactin level
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Adrenal gland problem
• Hyperinsulinema
• Genetic condition like Turner's syndrome

Signs of ovulation

  Some women experience lower abdominal pain around ovulation. Many experience increases vaginal discharge

  The menstrual cycle is divided into preovulatory, ovulatory and post ovulatory phase, in preovulatory the follicle develops, produce good estrogen which helps in the endometrial development .During ovulation time a hormone from the pituitary is produces in high level (called LH) and it ruptures the follicle and egg come out. After the egg is released from the follicle, the follicle undergoes a change and is called the corpus luteum and produces progesterone. It helps in maintaining the pregnancy.

Drugs used for Ovulation Induction:

• Tablets : clomiphene citrate
• Injections : gonadotropin

  The idea is to produce more number of eggs available for conception. If woman has patent tube and husband is normal, timed intercourse around ovulation time will result in pregnancy. In borderline male infertility and cervical hostility , IUI is indicated. Controlled ovarian stimulation is the method used to produce more number of eggs for IUI, when the woman ovulates.

Authored By Dr. N.P. Vijayalakshmy MBBS, M.D., D.G.O