Trying to get pregnant but your cycles are irregular or you aren’t ovulating? Ovulation induction is a common first step. It’s a set of treatments that help your ovaries release an egg when they don’t do it reliably on their own. Treatments range from simple oral meds to injectables and are often paired with timing strategies, IUI, or IVF. This page explains the common options, what to expect during treatment, and simple tips to improve your chances.
There are three main categories most providers use:
- Oral medications: Clomiphene citrate (often known as Clomid) and letrozole (Femara) are the usual starters. Typical courses last about 5 days early in your cycle. For clomiphene, doses often start around 50 mg daily (days 3–7 or 5–9), while letrozole commonly starts at 2.5 mg daily (days 3–7). Doctors adjust dose based on response.
- Injectable gonadotropins: If oral drugs don’t work, injectable FSH or mixed gonadotropins stimulate the ovaries directly. These require more monitoring because they produce multiple follicles and raise the risk of multiples. Injection protocols and doses vary by clinic and by your ovarian reserve.
- Surgical or procedural options: For some women with blocked tubes or repeated failed induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI) or moving to IVF may be recommended after induction attempts. Also, surgical correction of certain issues (like endometriosis) can improve success when combined with induction.
Monitoring is key. Clinics use blood tests (estradiol, LH) and transvaginal ultrasounds to see follicle growth and time intercourse or IUI. You’ll usually get a trigger shot of hCG when a follicle reaches about 18–20 mm; ovulation typically happens 36–48 hours later. If you’re tracking at home, OPKs and temperature charts can help, but clinic monitoring is more accurate.
Be aware of risks: the biggest are multiple pregnancy (twins or more) and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) with injectables. Multiple pregnancy risks mean clinics often limit the number of mature follicles. OHSS can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and, rarely, more serious problems. Discuss signs and emergency contacts with your provider.
Practical tips that matter: keep a healthy weight, avoid smoking, and manage chronic conditions like thyroid disease or high prolactin that can stop ovulation. Take prenatal vitamins with folic acid early. If you have PCOS, many clinics prefer letrozole as first-line — it often gives better live-birth rates than clomiphene in those patients.
How long before you see results? Many people respond within 3–6 cycles, but some need higher doses or injectables. If you’ve tried several cycles without ovulation or pregnancy, ask about further testing (partner semen analysis, ovarian reserve tests, and uterine/tubal imaging) or a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist.
Ovulation induction can feel technical, but your care team should explain each step, the plan, and the risks in plain language. If you want more detail tailored to your situation, talk to your doctor or a fertility specialist — they’ll design a plan based on your cycle, test results, and goals.
