Medications used for IVF treatment primarily focus on Ovarian stimulation. Ovarian stimulation in IVF is required for a good number of infertile couples. Every medical procedure requires a support system to achieve a positive outcome. Thereby in IVF, ovulation stimulation serves as such a system. Both ovarian stimulation and ovulation induction may look like same but are different in the extent to which the ovaries get stimulated. In Ovulation induction(OI) one or two mature eggs are released whereas, in Superovulation or Controlled ovarian stimulation(COS), multiple eggs are released thus resulting in a high success rate for IVF.
IVF:
In Vitro Fertilisation shortly called IVF is a miracle treatment for many infertile couples who are frustrated and exhausted with repeated ovulation induction and IUI. Let’s look back at the history of IVF and who invented it. World’s first IVF baby Louis Brown was born in the year 1978, July 25. The Pioneer Dr.Patrick Steptoe and physiologist Robert Edwards achieved this breakthrough although there were many attempts in the USA and many parts of the world . The number of mature eggs acts as a deciding factor for IVF success. Hence to increase the number of eggs ovarian stimulation in IVF is used.
CONTROLLED OVARIAN STIMULATION:
Controlled Ovarian Stimulation(COS) is the cornerstone of IVF treatment. Previously natural cycle IVF was done with low risk and low cost because of no medications. However, monitoring of natural cycle was very difficult and cumbersome. Finally, with the advent of COS, the world of IVF became more rewarding. The main objective of this method is to take multiple mature eggs from the women’s ovaries. The consumption of multiple mature eggs increases the probability of egg fertilization.
HOW IT IS DONE:
Ovarian stimulation in IVF involves the injection of gonadotropins which stimulates the women’s ovaries to produce multiple mature follicles resulting in the retrieval of multiple eggs. The stimulation method involves injecting hormones(gonadotropins) for 10-12 days to stimulate the ovaries . This helps in the creation of many embryos. These babies(embryos) can be replaced inside the mother’s womb(uterus) in multiple cycles.
This process requires favourable timings for positive results. In today’s world, anything is possible, do you believe you can preserve your embryos? With the latest cryopreservation technology, the embryos are surviving for years together. Thereby it helps infertile women to avoid undergoing multiple cycles of injections and monitoring. Subsequently, it helps in reducing the intake of medications used in IVF by avoiding multiple cycles.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Ovarian stimulation in IVF has the following side effects
*Multiple births
*Ovarian Hyperstimulation syndrome
*Depression and Mood swings
*Abdominal Pain
* Rash
Altogether ovarian stimulation in IVF is the most needed process for the success of IVF. It helps to attain the result in a faster and better way. You may experience a low mood as a result of the medications used for IVF treatment. Thus to make it feel light just understand the process and keep your mind gentle. Trust your body and your medical team for positive outcomes.
