The Emory Reproductive Center offers the use of hormone therapy to stimulate egg development and release.

Clomiphene Citrate
Many patients undergo ovulation induction using the oral tablet, clomiphene citrate. This medication is used to induce oocyte (egg) development for women who ovulate rarely or irregularly as well as for women with unexplained infertility.

The medication is taken in doses of one to five pills per day for five days at the start of the cycle. The therapy will be monitored by ultrasound and/or blood work as determined by your physician.

Side Effects: Nausea, headache, ovarian enlargement, abdominal bloating and hot flashes may be experienced, but these effects are usually mild and limited to the days of the medication.

In rare instances patients develop visual symptoms such as blurred vision, floaters, or light sensitivity. This reaction warrants discontinuing the medication and physician consultation. Clomiphene is associated with approximately a 5-8 percent incidence of twin pregnancy, but higher multiples are rare.

Gonadotropin Therapy
These medications are synthetic forms of pituitary hormones (follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone). They are given by daily injection to stimulate egg development in the ovary.

The therapy usually begins on day three of the menstrual cycle and continues for 7-14 days. Egg development is monitored using pelvic ultrasound and blood tests. Your individual dosing regimen and monitoring schedule will be planned with your physician in accordance with your medical history and personal goals.

Side Effects: These include bruising and irritation at the injection or the blood drawing site, ovarian enlargement and abdominal bloating.  In rare instances, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can occur. This condition is characterized by a more severe ovarian enlargement and fluid retention in the abdomen and lungs. However, hyperstimulation was more common prior to the advent of modern techniques for ovarian monitoring. This highlights the importance of remaining in close communication with our center during stimulation. Multiple pregnancy is also a risk of this treatment. Approximately 20 percent of pregnancies are twins, but triplets and higher multiple pregnancies can occur. Your physician will discuss these risks with you throughout your treatment.