Ovulation
If ovulation is not occurring regularly it may be necessary to give hormone tablets/injections to stimulate the ovaries. However, before these treatments are used it is important to find out why regular ovulation is not occurring, as more specialised treatment may be necessary for some women.

The most common treatments used include clomiphene citrate (trade name Clomid/ Serophene), or Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Clomiphene acts by interrupting the chain reaction of stimuli to the pituitary gland and allows more FSH and LH to be released. These hormones in turn stimulate the ovaries. Clomiphene tablets are usually given for five days commencing in the first few days of a monthly cycle and ovulation is expected to occur between five and ten days later. Some women notice they have less vaginal mucus while taking Clomiphene and may not be able to use this method to detect ovulation. The chance of multiple pregnancy after using clomiphene depends on the dose and your specialist will discuss this with you.

FSH and human Chrononic Gonadotropin (hCG) are hormones that are given by injection. hCG is used to trigger ovulation when a mature oocyte has developed. It is used when it is thought that the rise in the LH has been insufficient. HCG injections are nearly always used when FSH is used. FSH stimulates the oocyte-maturing process and the development of the follicles on the ovaries, and is given each day from day 2 of the cycle. When the oestrogen level reaches its peak an ultrasound will be done and the hCG injection will be given as appropriate. When using FSH it is very important to monitor its effect by regular blood and ultrasound tests as this treatment is more likely to cause a multiple pregnancy. At the Canberra Fertility Centre FSH is given as either Gonal-F or Puregon and hCG is either Pregnyl or Oridrel.