Ovulation Induction

In a normal unstimulated menstrual cycle, around 30 primordial follicles will be recruited and stimulated to grow. However, only one of the follicles will eventually become dominant and develop into a Graafian follicle. While the dominant follicle develops into a Graafian follicle, it will suppress the growth of other follicles and subsequently cause them to degenerate. Thus, during a normal menstrual cycle, only one egg will become a fully mature Graafian follicle. When the maturing Graffian follicle reaches 16 mm in size, there will be a rise in LH hormone release which triggers ovulation at mid-cycle.

In a stimulated ovarian-induction cycle, fertility drugs are used to stimulate the ovaries to enhance the growth and maturation of multiple follicles and yield more eggs of better quality. Therefore, several follicles will develop into mature Graafian follicles at the same time and ovulate at the mid-cycle.

There are two basic types of medication that are used to induce ovulation. Treatment with these drugs has the potential to result in pregnancy if the woman has good quality and quantity of eggs in her ovaries, and if other causes of infertility are not present.