Methods of ovulation induction

The results of ovulation induction in patients with ovulatory dysfunction were reviewed for a one year period. Eighty-six women were assigned to four groups: secondary amenorrhea, anovulation, oligo-ovulation, and luteal phase defect/short luteal phase (LPD). All patients were monitored with basal body temperature (BBT) graph, postcoital testing, and ultrasonic scanning of ovarian follicles. All patients received therapy with clomiphene citrate (CC) for a minimum of four cycles and 13 patients conceived. Fifty patients were offered additional therapy with human menopausal gonadotropins (HMG-HCG). Seventeen completed a minimum of four cycles, and 13 conceived. The number of CC-treated patients with poor mucus quality in the face of adequate follicular development was 24, or 48%. The overwhelming problem with ovulation induction when CC failed was the large number of patients who dropped out of therapy, 48%. In summary, close monitoring during ovulation induction to confirm ovulation, and assess mucus quality and luteal function allow detection and correction of inadequate response. Induction of ovulation can be highly successful if patients can follow through and complete protocols of therapy.