Ovulation induction is applied in different ways specific to the reason of infertility. It can be used for restoration of ovulation in women with chronic anovulation or it can be used to enhance pregnancy rates in ovulatory women with various infertility factors. For the latter, the term "superovulation" is often used since the main aim here is to stimulate more than one mature follicle. Superovulation is often combined with intrauterine insemination in unexplained infertility or in infertility associated with endometriosis or male factor. Controlled ovarian stimulation (COH) although using the principles of superovulation, is a special stimulation regimen geared for assisted reproduction.

For anovulatory patients depending on the condition either clomiphene citrate (Clomid) or injectible gonadotropin preparations can be utilized. Our ovulation induction consent form for these treatments reviews the process and potential complications such as multiple pregnancy rates with those medications. At times in patients who are resistant to clomiphene citrate, instead of switching to injectible gonadotropins, life style modifications and use of insulin sensitizers or corticosteroids can be combined with clomiphene citrate. In select cases of patients with clomiphene resistant chronic anovulation due to polycystic ovary syndrome ovarian drilling via laparoscopy may be recommended.