Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation
Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation is the use of fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries to release one or more eggs. This is usually the first treatment for women who do not ovulate or ovulate irregularly with the goal of growing 1 healthy egg to ovulate. Pregnancy is also achieved by inducing ovulation to perform a procedure called intrauterine insemination (IUI), which involves washing and concentrating sperm and then inserting it directly into the woman's uterus through a small catheter.
What to expect
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A transvaginal ultrasound within the first 2~3 days of the menstrual cycle.
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Take fertility drugs.
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Be monitored by transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests for the development of the follicle(s) to decide when to trigger ovulation for natural intercourse or IUI.
Who needs this?
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
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Irregular or absent ovulation (Menstrual cycle)
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IUI
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IVF
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Egg Bank
Advantages
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Noninvasive and relatively low cost.
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Can be an effective treatment in conjunction with timed intercourse, IUI and IVF.
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IUI's success rate is about 10%. Any couple trying to get pregnant at any given age or any given month their chance of success is 20%. However, after a couple has been trying for 1 year and still not pregnant, it drops to 2%, and 1% after 2 years.
More info
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The medications most commonly used in fertility treatment are Clomiphene (Clomid), Letrozole (Femara), Gonadotropins, HCG, Lupron.
