Some causes of infertility can be effectively treated with “ovulation induction” or “superovulation” therapy. When a woman has irregular periods or none at all, medications can often be given to make ovulation occur on a regular basis; this is called “ovulation induction.” “Superovulation” therapy is sometimes offered when ovulation is occurring regularly, but the cause for infertility is thought to be endometriosis, minor semen abnormalities, or is unexplained. In this therapy, the woman is treated with medications that may increase the number of eggs she produces each month (normally it is one).

Commonly Used Medications

Clomiphene citrate (Clomid® or Serophene®) can be taken orally to initiate the process of egg maturation. We monitor the response of your ovaries with ultrasounds or home ovulation predictor kits. Once we learn that ovulation is impending, we perform an appropriately timed intrauterine insemination or recommend a schedule for intercourse. Sometimes the newer drug letrazole (Femara®) is substituted for clomiphene citrate.

An alternative approach uses injectable medications containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with or without luteinizing hormone (LH) and results in a higher likelihood of conception compared to clomiphene citrate. During the normal reproductive cycle, FSH and LH are required to initiate and complete the process of egg maturation. When these hormones are given by injection, a larger number of eggs are often developed when compared to clomiphene citrate. To assess the process of egg maturation while you are being treated with these medications, several ultrasounds and samplings of your blood estrogen level are performed. Once the eggs have matured adequately, ovulation is induced typically with a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and one or two intrauterine inseminations are performed.

Intrauterine Inseminations

Fertility from ovulation induction or superovulation therapy is further enhanced by performing an appropriately timed intrauterine insemination (IUI) with sperm from your partner or a donor. The semen sample is prepared in a way that allows us to place an enriched, highly motile concentrate of sperm directly into your uterus through your cervix. A small tube, or catheter, is used for the insemination.

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