Ovulation induction involves the controlled administration of fertility drugs that stimulate the ovary to produce a regular ovulation or multiple eggs, depending on the circumstances. Ultrasound scans and blood tests are usually undertaken cycle monitoring to ensure that 1) you are responding to the medications and 2) to time either intercourse or artificial insemination.

There are various drug protocols that are commonly used. The first two of these are given in a tablet form, and are called Clomiphene citrate (Clomid or Serophene) or Letrozole (Femara). Clomiphene and Letrozole work by stimulating your pituitary gland to release more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which is the hormone required in the latter stages of egg development. Normally this is given in a short course at the beginning of the menstrual cycle for 5 days. Often an additional hormone injection - human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is given when the follicle is mature to ensure that the egg(s) is/are released from the follicle(s).

The second type of fertility drug that is used is the hormone injection known as a gonadotrophin (these contain a purified form of the hormone FSH and possibly some LH hormone). There are a variety of gonadotrophin preparations available (some common proprietary names include Gonal-F, Puregon, Fertinex or Pergonal). Gonadotrophin injections are given on a daily basis to try and stimulate the development of mature follicle(s), which is/are then usually primed to release the egg using an hCG injection when the follicle has reached an appropriate size.

The success of this type of treatment depends on many factors, such as age, sperm counts, presence of endometriosis etc. Each cycle a couple undergoes will have a certain probability of resulting in a conception. It often takes a number of months of ovulation induction treatment to conceive. If conception does not occur with this method, your doctor may recommend other methods.