Typical Ovulation Induction Cycle

Ovulation requires a delicate balance of hormones. Drugs are used to help create this balance. Your own treatment cycle is likely to be different. Here is a typical treatment cycle of ovulation induction with gonadotropins:

E2 = blood estrogens
US = trans-vaginal ultrasounds
LH = blood test of Luteinizing Hormone

Progesterone is given to prepare the lining of the endometrium for the implantation of a fertilized egg. A pregnancy test is done 14 days after insemination.

Monitoring the Treatment Cycle

After 4-5 days of gonadotropins, we begin monitoring the response to help prevent multiple births and ovarian hyperstimulation. We measure the estrogen and LH levels with a simple blood test. We measure the maturing follicles with trans-vaginal ultrasound. We may monitor every day or every other day depending on the test results.

The results we get from the tests also help us adjust the dosing of gonadotropins and determine when to give hCG. It is possible that we may cancel additional treatment if the response is too rapid or too slow. Too rapid is dangerous if treatment is continued and too slow tends to be a waste of additional time and money.

Ovulation Induction Results