The desire to have a child crosses almost everyone’s mind at least once in their life. Most people pursue this and end up building a family, but for many, this isn’t always so simple. Research shows that about 20% of couples worldwide experience some level of fertility issues, meaning they have difficulty conceiving or are even unable to do so. When we talk about women’s fertility, one of the issues that can arise is polycystic ovaries1. And even though this may sound frightening to many, it’s important to know that this is a problem with a solution in most cases, especially with the awareness of the ovulation inducer for those with polycystic ovaries. Speaking of the ovulation inducer, this is an option that is frequently recommended by specialists for those who suffer from the symptoms of polycystic ovaries. After all, irregular cycles and even anovulation are common symptoms in women with this condition. Want to know how it works and what its success rate is? How it is used and what are the possible risks? That’s what we’ll talk about today. But first, let’s give a general overview of what polycystic ovaries are.

What Are Polycystic Ovaries?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder caused by a hormonal imbalance. This disorder causes the ovaries to become enlarged and multiple small cysts to form inside them. It’s important to emphasize that having a cyst on the ovaries is not the same as having polycystic ovaries, although this confusion is common. Some of the main consequences include an increase in male hormones, which can cause increased body hair and a deeper voice, for example, as well as obesity and irregular menstruation. However, the most feared consequence of polycystic ovary syndrome is the difficulty in getting pregnant. Contrary to what many believe, it is possible to get pregnant with polycystic ovaries, but proper treatment is necessary. The ovulation inducer for those with polycystic ovaries is one of the best-known methods, but there are still many questions about how it actually works.

How Does an Ovulation Inducer Work?

An ovulation inducer2 is essentially a medication used so that a woman with fertility problems can conceive more easily. This procedure should only be done with medical supervision, since there are several factors that may prevent a woman from undergoing this type of treatment. Clomiphene citrate, which is the most commonly used agent in ovulation inducers for those with polycystic ovaries, serves to increase hormone levels and, consequently, help the ovaries release an egg. This type of treatment typically has very positive results when done with proper supervision and, for this reason, it is well known among women who wish to become pregnant.

Types of Inducers

First of all, it’s important to know that there is more than one type of ovulation inducer for those with polycystic ovaries. The two types are:

  • Injectable
  • Oral Tablets

The effect of these two types of medication is the same, although there are small differences in how long each takes to act in the woman’s body, but nothing that changes the final result. In fact, the main difference between the two is the price and, consequently, the accessibility. Injectable medications are more expensive and harder to acquire, while oral medications are used more frequently. A major problem is that many women end up using this type of medication without any medical supervision, which poses risks to their health. We will address this topic in more depth further along in the article.

How Long Should the Inducer Be Used?

This depends on each case and is yet another reason why having a doctor accompany this process is so important. There are cases where women should take the medication for between 3 and 6 months, which corresponds to the same number of menstrual cycles. It is often recommended that treatment lasts for 12 months for full effect. However, as we mentioned earlier, this will vary from case to case.

What Is the Success Rate?

When we talk about the success rate of an ovulation inducer for those with polycystic ovaries, we can refer to two: the one for ovulation and the one for pregnancy. This is undoubtedly one of the topics women are most interested in. When it comes to inducing ovulation, inducers usually have a very high success rate, with about 70% and typically within the first three months of treatment. When it comes to pregnancy, however, this rate tends to drop a bit. Among the women who ovulate, the success rate varies between 15% and 50%. This number may seem low to many, but it’s important to understand that this variation exists because for an ovulation inducer to work fully, it depends on many other factors such as the woman’s age, her weight, the timing of intercourse, as well as factors related to the man in fertilization.

Who Is the Inducer Not Recommended For?

As we’ve emphasized several times here, medical supervision is essential for the proper use of the ovulation inducer for those with polycystic ovaries. At the first doctor’s appointment, the doctor may say the treatment isn’t right for you. This happens for several reasons. Usually, inducers are not recommended for people who: Have Blocked Fallopian Tubes – That’s because inducing ovulation in these cases is ineffective, since the problem is a physical barrier between the sperm and the egg. The partner’s fertility has not yet been evaluated – Often, out of anxiety, a woman wants to start a fertility treatment but forgets that much of fertility is also dependent on the man. So before starting any kind of treatment, it’s essential that the fertility of both partners is evaluated.

Possible Risks

As mentioned earlier, treatment with ovulation inducers for those with polycystic ovaries involves some risks, especially for those who take it without medical supervision3. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can occur, mainly in those with polycystic ovary syndrome, as the medication’s hormones can alter the ovaries in someone with this condition. Ovarian torsion is another risk any woman can face by taking incorrect doses of inducers. Remember that these risks are real, but rarely occur if used correctly. Undergoing fertility treatment is the dream of many women, especially those with disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome. But it’s always important to be aware of all aspects – both positive and negative – of this type of treatment, and, of course, to be conscious that it must be done properly, without any self-medicating, and knowing that the success rate can vary widely. It is always possible to try, but this must be done carefully so your health is not affected. Also read: I Took an Ovulation Inducer and Didn’t Get Pregnant! Now What?