Ovulation induction
One of the first options for specialized infertility treatment is ovulation induction: a procedure that consists of administering fertility drugs to stimulate ovarian activity in women who are not ovulating normally. We will try to orient patients undergoing treatment to induce ovulation; explaining how the drugs are administered and how the treatment is monitored.
Reproductive hormones:
The normal female reproductive cycle is controlled primarily by hormones released by various organs in the body. At the base of the brain, in the hypothalamus, a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is produced. This hormone stimulates another gland known as the pituitary gland, which is located just below the hypothalamus. The pituitary releases impotent hormones that influence reproduction: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones exert a direct effect on the ovaries during the menstrual cycle. FSH stimulates the growth of small sacs in the ovaries, known as follicles. Each follicle contains an egg and produces an additional amount of hormones. LH helps FSH stimulate the production of these hormones before and after ovulation. Towards the middle of the menstrual cycle, a sudden rise in LH and FSH causes the rupture of the dominant follicle and the release of the egg within it.
Ovaries:
Women have two ovaries. These are located in the pelvis, on both sides of the uterus. Its main functions are the release of eggs and the production of hormones. From birth, a woman’s ovaries contain thousands of eggs, each surrounded by cells that develop into a small fluid-filled vesicle or sac (follicle), which is a cyst. In women with regular menstrual periods and who are ovulating normally, one of these follicles will grow each month until it reaches a diameter of approximately 20 millimeters, after which it will release an egg (ovulation) that passes into the fallopian tubes. This is important, because many women are undergoing surgery for a supposed ovarian cyst, which is actually a functional change of the ovary: it forms the follicle (cyst) because it is a normal change of the ovarian cycle. Fertilization takes place in the fallopian tubes. After fertilization, the fertilized ovum (egg) descends into the uterus to implant in its lining (edometrium) and a pregnancy develops. In the absence of fertilization, the endometrium is shed during the menstrual period, which occurs approximately 14 days after ovulation.
The ovaries also produce many hormones, the most important of which are estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen stimulates follicle growth and endometrial development, while progesterone, which is released after ovulation, plays an important role in preparing the endometrium for pregnancy.
Gynecology
