Ovulation induction is the therapy given to a disease called Ovulation Disorder. Ovulation requires a delicate balance of hormones. It happens when there is a proper regulation of FSH and LH along what is called the "hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis". The hypothalamus and pituitary are next door neighbors in the brain. They work together to ultimately produce FSH from the ovaries. (For this explanation they will be referred to as the "brain".)

The brain monitors how much estrogen is in the body. If it is low, it sends FSH to the ovaries, which helps them develop a follicle which gives off estrogen. Once there is sufficient estrogen in the body, the brain assumes there is a follicle that is ready to rupture an egg (ovulation). To cause this rupture, the brain sends a hormone called LH.

How does Clomiphene (Serophene or Clomid) work?

Clomiphene is a drug that fools the brain into thinking that estrogen levels are low. As a result, the brain releases more FSH to the ovaries to develop a follicle. A therapeutic trial on clomiphene is 3-6 ovulatory months. It should be noted that once a patient has an ovulatory dose, more clomiphene would not make a person more fertile. In fact, it may have an anti-estrogenic effect on the cervical mucus.

How do gonadotropins (Pergonal, Gonal-f, Fertinex, Follistim, Repronex, Humegon) work?

The injectable fertility drugs contain FSH activity. When the brain will not produce its own FSH, gonadotropins are injected to bypass the brain. A therapeutic trial on gonadotropin ovulation induction is 3-6 ovulatory months.

What is Hcg? (Profasi, Pregnyl)

Hcg is a hormone that is given when a follicle is ready for ovulation. Hcg mimics the activity of the bodies natural hormone LH.

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