Ovulation Induction (OI)

Ovulation induction is a fertility treatment that uses medications to stimulate the ovaries to grow and release at least one egg (ovulation). In a normal menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs once each month. However, some people ovulate irregularly or not at all, which can make conception more difficult.

OI treatment aims to encourage regular ovulation and optimise timing for conception. It may also be used alongside natural intercourse, intrauterine insemination (IUI) or other fertility treatments where appropriate.

OI may be suitable for individuals experiencing:

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Absent ovulation (anovulation)
• PMOS (previously PCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Difficulty predicting ovulation
• Short luteal phase in some cases

OI may also be recommended when

• Hormonal support is needed to improve ovulation timing
• Treatment with natural intercourse or IUI is planned

Your Stellar Fertility specialist will assess your fertility history, hormone levels, pelvic ultrasound findings and overall reproductive health before recommending treatment.

Like all fertility treatment, the success rate will vary depending on

• Age
• Underlying fertility diagnosis
• Egg and sperm quality
• Whether OI is combine with natural intercourse or IUI.

For many patients with ovulation disorders, restoring regular ovulation significantly improves the chance of conception. Some patients conceive within the first few cycles, while others may require ongoing treatment or alternative fertility options. Your Stellar Fertility specialist will provide personalised guidance based on your individual fertility profile.

At Stellar Fertility Melbourne, ovulation induction is carefully monitored to ensure treatment is safe, effective, and tailored to your body’s response.

Initial phase

Your Stellar Fertility specialist will take the time to understand your menstrual cycle and ovulation patterns, hormone and ultrasound results, your fertility goals and timeline. This information helps create a personalised treatment plan specific to your needs.

Pre-treatment phase

Before treatment begins, you may:

• Attend a nurse education session to discuss medications and cycle planning
• Complete required blood tests or pelvic ultrasounds
• Receive your treatment fees and Informed Financial Consent (IFC)
• Discuss whether timed sexual intercourse (TSI) or IUI is recommended alongside treatment

This phase is focused on helping you feel informed, prepared, and supported before beginning your cycle.

Treatment phase 

OI treatment usually begins early in your menstrual cycle. If you do not get a period or they are very far apart this will often mean a blood test and possibly a scan may be needed to guide timing. You will attend at least 1 pelvic ultrasound with our fertility nurses at our Fitzroy clinic and occasionally a blood tests. These assessments will monitor your response and help to determine the ideal timing for conception.

Depending on your treatment plan, medications may include:

Oral medications

• Letrozole
• Clomiphene citrate (Clomid)

These medications encourage the body to produce more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), helping follicles grow and mature.

Injectable medications

• FSH injections may be used to directly stimulate the ovaries instead of oral medications.

Trigger injection

Once a follicle reaches maturity, a human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection may be given to trigger ovulation.

Your Stellar Fertility specialist will advise when intercourse should be timed to give the best chance of pregnancy based on your ovulation. OI may also be combined with IUI, where prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.

Cycle completion

Your nursing team will advise when to complete a pregnancy test. Some patients conceive quickly with ovulation induction treatment, while others may require several cycles or alternative treatment approaches.

Treatment begins from $500 before Medicare rebates.

For further information on Stellar Fertility’s ovulation induction cost, visit our fee page or call 03 9123 8200 to speak with one of our delightful team members.