Treatments & Services

Ovulation Induction (OI)

When is OI recommended?

Generally OI is most suitable for women who do not ovulate regularly or who are not ovulating at all. In addition, the woman must have normally functioning fallopian tubes and the male partner must not have significant sperm abnormalities.

What is the process of OI?

OI treatment involves taking medication in the form of tablets (e.g. Clomid or Letrozole) or injections (i.e. Follicle Stimulating Hormone/FSH) to stimulate the ovaries. The following steps are involved in the OI process:

• Assessment: your ovulation cycle will be assessed by your fertility doctor with blood tests to measure the hormone levels at specific stages of your cycle and ultrasound to see the development of follicles in the ovaries.
• Stimulation: your ovaries will be stimulated with medications to promote the growth of follicles containing eggs.
• Monitoring: your cycle will be monitored very closely with transvaginal ultrasounds (where an ultrasound is inserted internally) and blood tests to check the number and size of follicles developing. This step is also essential to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy.
• Timed intercourse: near the time of ovulation, your fertility doctor will advise the most appropriate day to have sexual intercourse to maximise your chances of pregnancy.

There will be individual factors that play a major role in determining the chance of success. Your fertility doctor will discuss these with you to help you decide if this type of treatment is right for you.