Understanding Ovarian Stimulation: Its Importance in Fertility Treatments and How it Works
Beginning your fertility treatment is full of expectations and hope. But at the same time, it feels daunting to many. This is because every fertility problem is different, and so is its solution. As medical technology and procedures are evolving, those willing to become parents are trying their best to understand the processes involved. When it comes to treatments like ICSI and IVF, one of the most crucial steps is ovarian stimulation. This procedure serves as the foundation of ART procedures and fertility treatments. It is because of its sophisticated and advanced nature.
Ovarian stimulation IVF aims to maximize the chances of conception by encouraging the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. The fertility expert will then retrieve these eggs for the desired procedure.
Understanding how this process works is essential for overcoming the fear and uncertainty associated with your fertility treatment. Hence, we will discuss all the aspects of ovarian stimulation here. These include ovarian stimulation drugs, procedures, protocols, side effects, and a lot more.
Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Definition
Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is a special kind of fertility treatment. It is aimed at stimulating the ovaries. As a result, they produce more than one mature egg in the same cycle with the help of medication. This procedure is aimed at improving the efficacy of IVF while also ensuring that the patient’s health is not put at risk.
It has been observed that experts widely make use of ovarian stimulation in PCOS to help couples achieve their dreams of becoming parents. The process of COS comprises three fundamental elements. These are:
- The use of exogenous gonadotropins for initiating multi‐follicular development.
- Suppression of pituitary function and prevention of premature ovulation by co-treatment. This involves gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists.
- Triggering of the ovary for the final oocyte maturation about 36-38 hours before the retrieval.
Why is Ovarian Stimulation Done?
Ovarian stimulation or controlled ovarian stimulation COS is done because:
- It helps individuals with ovulatory dysfunction conceive by inducing ovulation.
- It is an effective way to retrieve eggs for the process of IVF.
- The retrieved oocytes can also be cryopreserved for future use (Egg Oocyte Freezing).
- It is used to increase the number of eggs released in a cycle.
This can be achieved either with the help of ovarian stimulation injections or medications.
The Process of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation COS: How it is Done
The ovarian stimulation process involves a series of medications and constant monitoring. In your natural cycle, hormones are known to affect the maturation and release of the egg from your ovaries. However, sometimes, this doesn't happen. Sometimes, more than one eggs are needed for your fertility treatment procedure. In these cases, ovarian stimulation comes into the picture.
For controlled ovarian stimulation, medications are prescribed for a period of 8 to 14 days. If your follicular development and maturation are slower, the ovarian stimulation drugs may go on for a longer span.
The medications and ovarian stimulation injections are derived from (and work to stimulate) two fundamental hormones. These include the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (or FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (or LH). Let us try to understand the effects of these hormones on ovulation:
- FSH: During the menstrual cycle, the role of this hormone is to stimulate follicles. In normal conditions, as the FSH levels fall, the follicles that are non-dominant will die. However, when FSH injections are used by your fertility expert, a larger number of follicles will be stimulated, thereby releasing more eggs in one single cycle.
- LH: Right before ovulation is about to occur, the levels of estrogen in your body are higher. These cause a spike in LH levels, too. At this stage, if a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) shot is given (as a trigger), it starts the process of ovulation.
Ovarian Stimulation Protocols That You Should Know About
There are three different controlled ovarian stimulation protocols for treatments like IVF. These include:
- Luteal Lupron Protocols
- Antagonist Protocols
- Flare and Micro-Flare Protocols
It is always a good idea to discuss with your doctor the ovarian stimulation protocols for IUI (or any other treatment that is recommended).
Ovarian Stimulation as an Integral Part of IVF Treatment
Ovarian stimulation IVF is a very critical stage in your fertility treatment. By stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in a single cycle, this procedure is known to boost the chances of retrieving a sufficient number of mature eggs by the expert. This will ensure that there are ample eggs for successful fertilization. For couples and individuals undergoing IVF, correctly-done ovarian stimulation serves as a strong foundation for a successful treatment procedure. The role of ovarian stimulation in IVF is to increase the chances of creating healthy embryos.
Of course, proper monitoring and the prescription of the best ovarian stimulation drugs IVF by your expert doctor will be equally important.
What Happens After Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in IVF?
Controlled ovarian stimulation COS serves as the first step of the IVF treatment procedure. After this is done, three steps follow:
- Retrieval - Retrieval is done after ovarian stimulation but before ovulation occurs.
- Fertilization - The egg and sperm are then taken to the laboratory for the process of in-vitro fertilization.
- Embryo Transfer - At a specific stage, the embryo is placed in the uterus. On your condition, the doctor will decide whether you need a single embryo transfer or sequential transfer.
The Possible Side Effects of Ovarian Stimulation
Some common ovarian stimulation side effects include:
- Multiple birth chances
- Breast tenderness due to the hormones
- Miscarriage or premature delivery
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: Mild, Moderate, and Severe
Ovarian stimulation syndrome is also called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). It refers to the condition where your body responds in an exaggerated manner to the excess hormones injected. Due to OHSS, your ovaries may swell and cause you a lot of abdominal pain and bloating. Your OHSS condition may either be mild, moderate, or severe. The doctor will take action accordingly. The condition improves itself in mild cases of OHSS. On the contrary, if it reaches a moderate or severe stage, hospitalization and additional treatment may be required.
Hence, ovarian stimulation needs to be conducted in a strictly controlled way by your healthcare provider. To check for indications of hyperstimulation, it is also essential that they check you periodically. An ovarian stimulation ultrasound is often used for this.
Tips for a Successful Ovarian Stimulation Process
Want to guarantee a successful ovarian stimulation and fertility treatment? Want to make sure that there are minimum side effects of this process? Then, you must follow the tips listed here:
- Make sure to choose a good doctor, one who has immense experience, a fine reputation, and an outstanding track record of success.
- Consume your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Never skip appointments and follow-ups.
- Be prepared to travel to the center whenever there is a need for tests and examinations. Make arrangements for the same.
- Doctors are compassionate. However, it is also important that you have a good support system in place. This can be attributed to the hormonal changes occurring in your body.
- Make sure to know what to expect during the procedure.
Bloom IVF: Providing Fertility Solutions Through Expert Ovarian Stimulation Services
At Bloom IVF, we understand how critical ovarian stimulation IVF is for enhancing patient fertility. Hence, we use the best approach to help couples (and single parents) achieve their parenthood dreams. Choosing Bloom IVF means getting the best facilities, whether it is for IUI treatment or PRP treatment. Our cutting-edge techniques are designed to boost your fertility journey.
Bloom IVF also boasts a team of renowned fertility specialists. Whether you need ovarian stimulation hormone therapy or ovarian stimulation ultrasound, we have the best equipment to help you. This is what makes Bloom IVF the best fertility clinic in India. We have an excellent success rate in ovarian stimulation. This reflects our commitment to excellence and dedication to providing compassionate care to our patients.
In addition to ovarian stimulation, IVF, and embryo transfer, we also offer other treatments and services, such as laparoscopic surgery, timed intercourse, and a lot more.