Ovulation induction describes the use of oral or injectable fertility medications (gonadotropins) to stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs. The purpose of ovulation induction is to develop and ovulate one or more eggs in someone who normally does not ovulate. Based on your diagnosis, your doctor will prescribe the treatment most appropriate for you.

Ovulation induction may be recommended if you:

• Have ovulation problems that have not responded to simpler medications (such as clomiphene citrate).
• Have unexplained infertility and wish to try ovulation induction in order to increase the number of eggs produced in each cycle. With increased egg production the chance of conception also increases.

To be a candidate for ovulation induction you must have a normal uterine cavity, and at least one normal fallopian tube, and the other parent must have a normal sperm count. In the general population, 20% to 25% of healthy, fertile people who are trying to conceive become pregnant each month. In our experience, ovulation induction typically produces pregnancy rates of 10% to 20% per cycle, depending on your age, diagnosis, and duration of infertility. Approximately 15% to 20% of gonadotropin pregnancies will miscarry, similar to the general population.

Other treatments our team may recommend include:

• Antibiotics to treat infections
• Hormones to treat issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or pituitary hormone irregularities.
• Surgical intervention

Many of our patients require a sperm donor, a gestational carrier (also referred to as a “surrogate”), embryo donors, or egg donors. We are an experienced fertility clinic in the Toronto area that works seamlessly with third-party programs, while ensuring that health guidelines and regulations are met. We are also experienced in reciprocal IVF which allows more than one partner to be intimately involved in the process.