| Many women having trouble conceiving turn to an | | | | stimulate the ovarian follicles to mature and release |
| infertility specialist, or Reproductive Endocrinologist for | | | | eggs until the estrogen levels are brought back to a |
| help. If you are in this situation and have been | | | | normal level. By blocking estrogen receptors, |
| diagnosed with ovulatory problems, then your | | | | clomiphene citrate tricks the body into releasing |
| infertility specialist may have suggested ovulation | | | | additional FSH and LH. |
| induction as a possible solution. Ovulation induction can | | | | Occasionally, the clomiphene citrate will not produce a |
| be very effective for women who do not ovulate or | | | | high enough or long enough FSH level to encourage |
| who have irregular ovulation patterns. | | | | ovulation. If this is the case with you, then injectable |
| Ovulation induction is a treatment that stimulates | | | | gonadotropins may be recommended by your |
| your ovaries into ovulating. There are a few | | | | infertility specialist. Basically, injectable gonadotropins |
| medications that are commonly used to induce | | | | are injections of FSH. This can help you keep the |
| ovulation. Your infertility specialist will work with you | | | | levels of FSH in your body higher and for longer |
| in determining which medications will help you reach | | | | periods of time. Your doctor will monitor you to |
| your goals. Careful monitoring is essential to improving | | | | determine the correct amount of stimulation that you |
| your odds of conception. Working with an | | | | need without over-stimulating your ovaries into the |
| experienced and skilled infertility specialist could prove | | | | production of many eggs. |
| invaluable on your quest to achieve pregnancy. | | | | When your doctor says that the eggs have matured |
| There are a few different types of ovulation | | | | in the follicles of your ovaries and are ready to be |
| induction therapies that your doctor will discuss with | | | | released, an HCG injection may be administered, |
| you. Having a basic understanding of each one should | | | | which acts like LH in the ovaries. An LH surge usually |
| help you make an informed decision about how to | | | | happens naturally in a menstrual cycle to release an |
| proceed with your ovulation induction. Drugs that | | | | egg. It usually does not happen in an ovulation |
| stimulate the ovary and help to produce mature eggs | | | | induction treatment and your doctor may choose to |
| include injectable gonadotropins, clomiphene citrate, | | | | do the HCG injection. |
| gonadotropin releasing hormone, among others. | | | | All of this information should be used for familiarizing |
| Clomiphene citrate is commonly used to treat women | | | | yourself with ovulation induction treatments and |
| experiencing ovulatory problems. This is usually the | | | | should not replace advice given by your infertility |
| first step that you will take in trying to make your | | | | specialist. Ovulatory problems should be dealt with by |
| ovaries release one or more eggs. Most women | | | | a professional, experienced Reproductive |
| experiencing little or no ovulation have only a slight | | | | Endocrinologist. Ovulation success rates are fairly high |
| rise, or no rise in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and | | | | for these types of treatments, but not all will |
| or luteinizing hormone (LH). Clomiphene citrate lowers | | | | conceive. Other problems could be affecting your |
| or blocks estrogen receptors in the body. Your | | | | infertility, so find an infertility specialist that is willing to |
| pituitary gland should produce more FSH and LH to | | | | work with you to find your best infertility treatment |
| try and bring the estrogen levels back up. In a normal | | | | options. |
| menstrual cycle, the estrogen drops, FSH and LH | | | | |