The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services is a part of the First Fertility family of centers. Learn More About The Center.

Superovulation Therapy

Some causes of infertility can be effectively treated with superovulation therapy.

What Is Superovulation Therapy?

During superovulation therapy, the woman is treated with medications that increase the number of eggs she ovulates each month. At the appropriate time, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is performed.

Causes of infertility that can be treated with this therapy include ovarian dysfunction, infertility associated with endometriosis, cervical factor infertility, and infertility in which the exact cause cannot be identified. Superovulation therapy is also an effective addition in treating those with male infertility.

How Does Superovulation Therapy Work? What are Superovulation Medications?

Clomiphene citrate is a superovulation medication that is taken orally to promote the process of egg maturation. We monitor the progress with ultrasounds or the use of home ovulation-predictor kits. Once we learn that ovulation is impending, we perform an appropriately-timed intrauterine insemination.

A more aggressive approach that uses injectable medications, containing FSH with or without LH, results in a higher likelihood of conception than when clomiphene citrate alone is used.

To assess the process of egg maturation while being treated with FSH with or without LH, several ultrasounds are performed. We also perform blood sampling of estrogen levels. Once the eggs have matured adequately, we induce ovulation, and just prior to ovulation, we perform an intrauterine insemination.

Research on Superovulation Therapy

Our reproductive endocrinologists are recognized nationally for the research they have performed in the area of ovulation induction. The information we receive from these ongoing studies enables our physicians to be highly successful in helping infertile individuals and couples achieve healthy pregnancies.

To make an appointment or for more information about our Superovulation Therapy Program and our full range of fertility services, please call The Center at (844) HOPEIVF.

Uconn Fertility success story image of young boy with mother posing with reproductive endocrinologist David Schmidt holding young baby