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IUI (And Ovulation Induction)

Ovulation Induction and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) at Houston Fertility Institute

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and ovulation induction are two non-surgical fertility treatments offered at Houston Fertility Institute to improve the likelihood of fertilization. By combining infertility treatments such as ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI), the physicians at our Houston, Texas-area fertility clinic are able to achieve outstanding success rates. Similar to ovulation induction, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is used as part of an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle to encourage the maturation of multiple ovarian follicles.

Ovulation Induction

Also known as ovarian induction, ovulation induction involves the use of fertility drugs to stimulate the development of one or more ovarian follicles in women who ovulate infrequently or who do not ovulate at all (anovulatory). Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for instance, may benefit from this treatment. During your consultation at our Houston, Texas-area clinic, your doctor can determine whether ovulation induction may be right for you. IVF with egg donation may be a more appropriate solution for some women, such as perimenopausal women and those with premature ovarian failure.

The following medications may be used during ovulation induction:

Clomiphene Citrate

Clomid® and Serophene® are forms of clomiphene citrate, an oral fertility drug that is commonly prescribed for ovulation induction. Typically, clomiphene citrate is administered for five days, between days three through seven or five through nine of the menstrual cycle. Common side effects include hot flashes, headaches, mood swings, blurred vision, and ovarian cysts.

Gonadotropins

This class of injectable medications contains follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Commonly known brand names include Bravelle®, Gonal-F®, Follistim®, Menopur®, Pergonal®, and Repronex®. They are administered once a day via intramuscular or subcutaneous injections for eight to fourteen days.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Once an ultrasound detects the presence of one or more mature follicles, an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is administered to induce ovulation.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Following intercourse, only a small proportion of the sperm ascend the female genital tract. The goal of intrauterine insemination (IUI) is to increase the quantity of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and thereby facilitate fertilization. Also known as artificial insemination, intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be performed at our Houston, Texas-area clinic using the partner's sperm or sperm from a donor.

Before the IUI procedure, the sperm are washed and placed into a small volume of sterile medium. This is injected directly into the uterus via a soft, thin catheter. This portion of the procedure is comparable in sensation to a Pap test. The woman is able to resume normal activity immediately after intrauterine insemination.

For intrauterine insemination to be effective, the woman must have normal ovulation, open fallopian tubes, and a normal uterine cavity. Ovulation induction with fertility drugs may be indicated for women with ovulatory disorders. The sperm of the male partner, or donor, is analyzed beforehand to determine count, motility (movement) and morphology (shape and size).

Ask about Ovulation Induction and Intrauterine Insemination at Our Texas Clinic

If you are interested in learning more about ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination (IUI), contact our Houston, Texas area fertility clinic. At our eight locations — Houston, The Woodlands, Willowbrook, Tomball, Katy, Sugar Land, Medical Center, and Clear Lake — we also provide comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and other female and male factor infertility treatments.