The failure of ovaries to produce eggs will result in irregular or absent periods. Egg production can be inhibited by inadequate or unbalanced release of FSH or LH from the pituitary gland or by polycystic ovaries.
Fertility drugs can induce ovulation. These drugs work in different ways, some acting on the brain to stimulate the pituitary gland and some acting directly on the ovaries. The choice of drugs used in ovulation induction is individually designed to suit the patient and is accompanied by careful ultrasound monitoring to check the development and number of follicles in the ovaries. If more than three large follicles develop during a cycle, treatment would be suspended as the risk of multiple pregnancies is greatly increased.
When one follicle reaches a diameter of at least 18mm, an HCG injection is administered to encourage the final maturation and release of the egg from the follicle. Sexual intercourse or IUI will be timed 36 - 40 hours after the injection.
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