When you have already begun fertility treatment or are thinking about trying IVF or IUI, you may have heard the term ovarian stimulation. What does it mean? Why is that so? And how are you supposed to feel (and look physically) in this stage?
We think at Embryologist.co that knowledge is power. This is a comprehensive, simple-to-read guide on ovarian stimulation: what it is, its side effects, and what to do.
What Is Ovarian Stimulation?
Ovarian stimulation is a medical procedure that is employed in fertility procedures such as IVF and IUI to stimulate the ovaries to result in numerous mature eggs during a single cycle.
A woman typically only releases one egg in a month in a natural cycle. With the use of hormones to stimulate the ovaries, the best embryologist doctors are in a position to extract more eggs, which have an increased probability of fertilisation and pregnancy.
Why Is It Done?
The following are essential in ovarian stimulation:
- IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation): The more the eggs, the more the embryos, the higher the success rates.
- IUI (Intra-uterine Insemination): This is done to enhance the probability of timed fertilisation
- Egg Freezing: This is to gather several eggs to freeze themÂ
- Low AMH or poor ovarian reserve: To get as many eggs as possible in a minimum cycles
How Does the Process Work?
- Baseline Assessment:
Your fertility specialist starts by performing blood tests (FSH, LH, AMH) and an ultrasound to assess your ovarian reserve and create a stimulation protocol that will suit your individual needs.
- Daily Hormonal Injections (8 12 days):
You will inject hormones (such as FSH, HMG, or Menopur) to stimulate egg development in your ovaries to grow several follicles (fluid-filled sacs that contain eggs).
- Monitoring:
You will be frequently scanned by ultrasound and tested with a blood sample to monitor follicle size and quantity and hormone levels. Your prescriptions can be changed according to your response.
- Trigger Shot:
Once the follicles are of the right size (normally 18-20 mm), you will be given an hCG or GnRH agonist trigger, which will mature the eggs so that they can be retrieved or inseminated.
- IVF Egg Retrieval:
Eggs are retrieved in a quick outpatient procedure through sedation 36 hours after the trigger.
Types of Protocols Used
Your physician will select a protocol based on your age, AMH, how you react to the earlier treatment cycles, and your general fertility health:
- Antagonist Protocol: Popular, adaptable, not too long
- Long Agonist Protocol: This is employed on women who have a high ovarian reserve
- Minimal Stimulation (Mini IVF): Women who are at risk of OHSS or have low ovarian supply
- Dual Stimulation (DuoStim): two stimulations during a cycle, which may be used with poor responders
Are There Side Effects?
Yes, but they are mainly mild and short-lived. Side effects:
- Gas and gentle belly pain
- Breast tenderness
- Anger or irritability
- Mild weight increase because of fluid retention
Severe (though uncommon) adverse effect:
- OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome): It is characterised by painful and swollen ovaries and an imbalance of fluids. It is more probable in women who have PCOS or high AMH.
We are vigilant on you at Embryologist.co.in to keep risk to a minimum and change medications, as necessary.
Emotional and Mental Wellness Tips
- Monitor your symptoms: Keep a diary or an application
- Question: Get to know your treatment plan
- Sleep and drink water: Assist your body to deal with hormone changes
- Find encouragement: Consult a counsellor or be part of a fertility group
- Be optimistic yet down to earth: Your body is unique, and so is the response of the body to a particular treatment.
Who Should Avoid Ovarian Stimulation?
Stimulation is usually harmless, although it can be avoided or reduced in:
- Females who have hormone-sensitive cancers
- Ovarian destruction by severe endometriosis
- Women are contraindicated from using estrogen
The best embryologist doctor will evaluate every risk before beginning.
Suggest to Read :- Frozen but Full of Potential: Why Embryo Freezing Is a Beautiful Option
Final Thoughts
Ovarian stimulation is quite an effective procedure that leads to numerous fertility opportunities. It comes with hormonal changes, daily injections and a few emotional lows and highs, but it is also a crucial component of getting the family that you have always dreamed of.
At Embryologist.co in, we combine modern science with compassionate care to guide you safely and confidently through ovarian stimulation and beyond.
