Infertility & ovulation induction

Infertility can affect up to 10% of couples but investigations into possible causes are usually not undertaken until 12 months have passed without success. At the initial visit a menstrual history is taken and an assessment is made of whether the patient is ovulating. A regular menstrual cycle does not necessarily indicate that the patient is ovulating. Ovulation can be determined on the basis of symptoms such as mid cycle pain, evaluation of cervical mucus and testing for the LH surge at mid cycle. Further information about recognizing fertile cervical mucus can be obtained from the Billings web site on www.woomb.org. Treatment to induce induction can be given to those patients who are not ovulating and this consists of the administration of fertility drugs either in tablet form or daily injections.