Ovarian stimulation is one of the fundamental pillars in assisted fertility treatments. This process, carefully designed by specialists, seeks to optimize the chances of conception by stimulating the development of multiple eggs in a single menstrual cycle.
Understanding what it consists of, what it is used for, and why it is essential can be of great help to those considering starting fertility treatment.
What is ovarian stimulation?
Ovarian stimulation is a medical procedure that involves administering hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries and promote the development of several follicles (where eggs are located) in a menstrual cycle.
In a natural cycle, the body usually releases a single mature egg; However, during ovarian stimulation, the goal is to obtain several eggs to increase the odds of success in fertility treatments.
Medications used in this process include:
- Clomiphene: It is generally used in less complex treatments, such as artificial insemination.
- Gonadotropin hormones (FSH and LH): Most common in advanced procedures such as in vitro fertilization. These hormones act directly on the ovaries to stimulate follicular production.
How does the ovary work and what role does it play in stimulation?
The ovary is a reproductive organ that plays a crucial role in fertility. Each ovary contains a reserve of follicles, which are small structures where eggs develop. During the natural menstrual cycle, only one of these follicles reaches maturity, releasing an egg through the process of ovulation.
In the case of ovarian stimulation, hormonal medications stimulate several follicles to grow simultaneously, allowing multiple mature eggs to develop in a single cycle. This maximizes the chances of obtaining viable eggs, either for insemination or fertilization in the laboratory.
Follicle growth is monitored using ultrasound scans and hormone analysis to make sure the eggs reach the necessary size and maturity before proceeding with ovulation or retrieval.
How many days does ovarian stimulation last?
The duration of ovarian stimulation varies according to the individual characteristics of each woman, but generally the treatment lasts from 8 to 14 days. During this time, specialists adjust the dosage of the medications to ensure proper follicular development and minimize potential risks.
Follow-up is done every two to three days, through transvaginal ultrasounds and blood tests, to assess follicle growth and hormone levels. When the follicles reach optimal size (usually between 18 and 22 mm), the ovulation-triggering hormone is administered.
What is ovarian stimulation used for?
Ovarian stimulation is used in several contexts within fertility treatments:
- Artificial insemination (AI): Here, mild stimulation is used to ensure that at least one or two eggs are ready for ovulation. This synchronizes the process with the placement of the sperm in the uterus.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): In this case, it is crucial to obtain several mature eggs to be fertilized in the laboratory. The more eggs that are collected, the better the odds of success in creating viable embryos.
- Fertility preservation: In women who want to freeze their eggs, ovarian stimulation allows an adequate number of eggs to be collected in a single extraction.
- Diagnosis and improvement of ovarian response: It is also used to evaluate how the ovaries respond to medication, which can help personalize treatments in the future.
How is ovarian stimulation performed?
The ovarian stimulation process follows several stages that are carefully monitored by the specialist:
- Start of treatment: It is usually started in the first days of the menstrual cycle. The patient receives hormonal medications that are injectable or in tablet form.
- Ongoing monitoring: During treatment, transvaginal ultrasounds and hormone tests are performed to evaluate follicle growth and adjust medication dosage as needed.
- Ovulation induction: When the follicles reach the right size, a trigger hormone (HCG or GnRH analogues) is administered to induce ovulation, preparing the eggs for retrieval or insemination.
Why is ovarian stimulation important in fertility treatment?
Ovarian stimulation is essential because it allows you to optimize the chances of success in each treatment cycle. Reasons for its importance include:
- Increased number of eggs: Obtaining multiple eggs in a single cycle increases the chances of fertilization and development of viable embryos.
- Personalization of treatment: Continuous monitoring allows the procedure to be adjusted to the specific needs of each patient.
- Minimization of time and resources: By maximizing the chances of success in each attempt, the cycles necessary to achieve pregnancy are reduced.
In addition, in cases of low ovarian reserve, stimulation can be key to obtaining eggs of sufficient quality to allow the treatment to continue.
As you’ll see, ovarian stimulation is a powerful tool in assisted fertility treatments, designed to maximize the chances of conceiving safely and effectively. With the right accompaniment of specialists, this procedure offers hope to many women and couples on their way to motherhood or fatherhood. At Fertivida, we have a team specialized in ovarian stimulation and other assisted fertility treatments. If you would like to learn more about this procedure or start a treatment, we are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
