Ovulation Induction
What is Ovulation Induction?
Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows your doctor to examine the inside of the uterus for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. It is performed using a thin, lighted instrument called a hysteroscope, which is gently inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterus.
Hysteroscopy helps doctors clearly view the uterine cavity without the need for incisions, making it a safe and effective method for evaluating various gynecological concerns.
Types of Hysteroscopy Diagnostic Hysteroscopy: Used to investigate symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, infertility, or recurrent miscarriages.
Operative Hysteroscopy: Performed to treat certain conditions detected during diagnostic hysteroscopy — often in the same session.
When is Operative Hysteroscopy Used? Hysteroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat the following uterine conditions:
Uterine Polyps and Fibroids Non-cancerous growths inside the uterus can be identified and removed.
Uterine Adhesions (Asherman’s Syndrome) Bands of scar tissue that may affect menstrual flow or fertility can be located and carefully removed.
Uterine Septum A congenital defect (present from birth) where the uterus is divided by a wall; hysteroscopy helps in both diagnosis and correction.
Best Time for Hysteroscopy Doctors usually recommend performing hysteroscopy within the first week after your menstrual period, as the uterine lining is thinner during this time, offering a clearer view.
It may also be advised for women experiencing:
Unexplained heavy or irregular bleeding
Ovulation induction is a fertility treatment that uses medications to stimulate the ovaries and encourage the release of eggs in women who have irregular or absent ovulation (a condition known as anovulation). It is a commonly used and effective method to improve a woman’s chances of conception — either naturally or in combination with fertility treatments like IUI or IVF.
In a typical menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs every 28 days, but cycles ranging from 21 to 35 days are also considered normal. When ovulation happens less frequently, unpredictably, or not at all, it can affect fertility by reducing the chances of an egg being available for fertilization.
Who Can Benefit from Ovulation Induction? Ovulation induction may be recommended for women who:
Experience irregular or infrequent periods
Have anovulation (no ovulation) or oligoovulation (irregular ovulation)
Are diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Have hormonal imbalances affecting ovulation (e.g., FSH, LH, or AMH irregularities)
Suffer from conditions that indirectly affect ovulation like:
Thyroid disorders
Obesity
Excessive exercise
Eating disorders
Ovulation induction is also used as part of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF, where multiple eggs are stimulated to mature for collection and lab fertilization.
How Does It Work? Doctors assess hormone levels, menstrual history, and any underlying conditions before prescribing medications (oral or injectable) that help stimulate ovulation. If initial treatment doesn’t lead to regular ovulation, a more advanced method called superovulation may be used. This involves using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to trigger the release of mature eggs.
Benefits of Ovulation Induction Non-invasive and often used as a first-line fertility treatment
Cost-effective compared to advanced fertility treatments like IVF
Can help regulate cycles and restore natural ovulation in many women
Improves success rates when used alongside IUI or IVF
Helps identify and correct underlying causes of infertility