Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
The IVF process can be broken down into 5 general steps:
Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
PCOS
Many women with PCOS have difficulties conceiving because they do not ovulate. Drugs can be used to induce ovulation, including clomiphene citrate (oral medication) and injectable hormones(FSH ). Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate, a sister medication to Tamoxifin) therapy is a safe and long standing therapy for infertility. It is best used on patients under the age of 38. Clomid acts on the brain as an anti-estrogen, tricking the brain into thinking it does not have any estrogen, so the brain makes FSH, hence stimulating the ovaries to develop follicles. Some women are resistant to Clomid and do not develop follicles even on high doses of clomid.
Ovulation induction is carefully monitored by the physician and is often coupled with timed intercourse or Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI).