Ovulation disorders are one of the most common causes of female infertility. Fertility medications for super ovulation can be used to optimize the body’s ability to produce and release an egg during ovulation. In some cases, they may be the only therapy needed to produce a pregnancy.

Dr. Mark Rispler and Dr. Joshua J. Berger with Innovative Fertility Center incorporates both oral and injectable fertility medications into his treatment regimens for several reasons:

• Such medications has been in use for over 30 years and has proven to be safe.
• They consistently produce results. Approximately 80% of women taking oral fertility medications will ovulate.
• Few side effects are associated with many of these medications.

Known as super ovulation, a cycle with a fertility drug is often the first prescribed therapy for women diagnosed with ovulation disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome, unexplained infertility or a luteal phase defect. We may also prescribe medications during a male infertility treatment cycle.

Inducing ovulation begins with day 1

Day 1 in a menstrual cycle is the first day of a full flow. You will take oral fertility medication beginning with the 3rd or 5th day of a monthly cycle. It continues to day 7 or 9 to cause the pituitary gland to secrete higher levels of the hormone FSH. A domino effect of follicular growth, followed by increased estrogen in the bloodstream and resulting LH surge will signal the ovaries to ovulate.

Your doctor will perform a mid-cycle sonogram to determine the effectiveness of the dosage. He will count the number of follicles, assess the uterine lining and see whether cervical mucus is present.

At this point in fertility treatment, your doctor may recommend an trigger shot to induce ovulation, or supplemental injections. You will discuss the two options for fertilization: timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Fertility medications and timed intercourse

Your doctor will advise you on the specific days to have intercourse while on fertility medications. While this is a minimally invasive approach to fertility treatment, we require a mid-cycle visit and a pelvic exam late cycle to check the ovaries for cysts.

Fertility medications and IUI

Your fertility treatment cycle leading to IUI, or artificial insemination, will involve the same process as fertility medications and timed Intercourse. With IUI, your partner will produce a semen sample for the IVF lab at Innovative Fertility Center. Your doctor will transfer healthy, strong and toxin-free sperm to the uterus via a thin catheter during the in-office insemination.

Our doctors advise moving on to other fertility treatment options after 6 cycles with fertility medications for super ovulation.

Here are some of the most common side effects of fertility medications.

• Moodiness
• Changes in cervical mucus
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Ovarian cysts
• Multiples

Our doctors have advanced training as a reproductive endocrinologist and decades of experience managing controlled ovarian stimulation to induce ovulation. If you do not ovulate or ovulate irregularly, consider contacting Innovative Fertility Center for an appointment to discuss super ovulation.