TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- What is ovarian stimulation?
- Why is it performed?
- What does it consist of?
- How to prepare
- Care after ovarian stimulation
- Alternatives
What is ovarian stimulation?
Ovarian stimulation is a treatment that consists of inducing multiple ovulation by means of hormonal medications. It is intended to stimulate the ovaries to achieve the development of different mature follicles which, in addition, allow the maximum number of oocytes to be obtained.
It is a treatment used to increase the number of oocytes in women who want to undergo an assisted reproduction technique, either by artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, because they have difficulties in achieving pregnancy.
Why is it performed?
The objective of this treatment is to help the ovaries so that several follicles mature in order to obtain one or more mature eggs. A follicle is the place in the ovary where the oocyte, the female reproductive cell, develops.
In this way, an increase in the number of oocytes for fertilization can be achieved and, consequently, also a greater number of embryos and the possibility of achieving a pregnancy.
It is a treatment used in women
with difficulties in achieving pregnancy.
What does it consist of?
The treatment consists of a subcutaneous injection of a hormonal preparation during the 8-10 days after the end of the last menstrual period. Its objective is to help the ovaries produce one or more mature oocytes. Afterwards, the specialist begins monitoring the number and size of follicles (where the future eggs will develop) by vaginal ultrasound. These controls are usually done two or three times a week.
When a follicle reaches approximately 18 millimeters, it is considered that it can already have an oocyte inside it with the capacity to mature. Just at that moment a hormone is administered to the woman to provoke the final maturation of the oocyte.
This usually occurs between days 11-12 of the menstrual cycle. This injection takes effect a day and a half after its administration, and it is at this time that the artificial insemination with fertilizing sperm or the extraction of the oocytes is performed.
After egg retrieval or artificial insemination, the endometrium is prepared so that the fertilized eggs can implant more easily in the uterine wall.
Preparation for ovarian stimulation
In some cases specialists recommend taking contraceptives to control the patient’s menstrual cycle. In addition, a vaginal ultrasound will be necessary before starting treatment, in order to verify that the ovary is at rest.
Care after the procedure
Once the ovarian stimulation has been performed, the ovaries may increase in size, so that the patient may feel more swollen and have abdominal discomfort or pain.
When this type of discomfort appears, it is not advisable for the patient to do intense physical exercise. In this sense, it should be avoided because of the risk of ovarian torsion, by which the ovary can rotate on its own axis and block the blood supply. Should this occur, the patient would have to be treated in the operating room.
Alternatives to this treatment
There are other alternatives to this treatment, especially indicated for women with low ovarian response to fertility treatments. Among these alternatives are the following:
- Pretreatment with androgens.
- Conversion of an in vitro fertilization cycle into an artificial insemination cycle.
- Modified ovarian stimulation protocols
- Egg banking with vitrification cycles
- Ovodonation