In vitro experts in the United States: Is it possible to accelerate the onset of menopause in women with ovulation induction?

For women struggling with infertility, ovulation induction therapy is a ray of light that shows them the way to motherhood. This treatment uses drugs to stimulate the ovaries and promote follicle maturation and ovulation to help infertility patients achieve their desire to become pregnant. However, some people may have doubts about this technology, worrying about whether it will have adverse effects, including early menopause and reduced fertility. So, does ovulation induction really lead to early menopause?

Will ovulation induction therapy trigger premature menopause in women?

Menopause is the physiological stage during which women transition from reproductive age to non reproductive age. During this period, women’s ovarian function gradually declines, hormone levels change, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and ultimately cessation of ovulation. But ovulation induction therapy is a method of promoting ovarian ovulation through external intervention, and it does not directly affect ovarian function. Therefore, ovulation induction therapy will not lead to premature menopause.

Each woman has approximately 2 million primary follicles at birth, but as they age, most of these follicles gradually die off. When entering puberty, women usually only have about 200000 to 400000 primary follicles left, and only about 400 to 500 follicles will mature throughout their lives, while the rest will continue to remain in a closed state. At different stages of the menstrual cycle, a group of follicles in both ovaries will grow and develop simultaneously under the action of follicle stimulating hormone, while other follicles will remain in a closed state. This process is called “recruitment” of follicles. Then, follicles can only continue to grow when the level of follicle stimulating hormone reaches a certain threshold.

Therefore, ovulation induction therapy promotes follicle development and ovulation by simulating follicle stimulating hormone, rather than directly affecting ovarian function. So, it won’t cause premature menopause.

American IVF expert: Will ovulation induction accelerate female menopause?

Therefore, even without the use of ovulation inducing drugs, women will have multiple follicles begin to grow during each menstrual cycle, with one follicle maturing and completing ovulation under the action of hormones in the body, while the other follicles gradually die off. The purpose of in vitro fertilization (IVF) ovulation induction is to promote the maturation of eggs that would otherwise undergo apoptosis, which is like converting useless substances into valuable resources without causing additional loss of healthy eggs in women, thus avoiding premature menopause or aging. This treatment method is like sowing seeds of hope in the spring fields, hoping for a bountiful autumn harvest. For infertile patients, ovulation induction therapy is a very effective method, and many infertile patients have successfully become pregnant through this treatment method. The process of IVF ovulation induction at Little Monster Reproductive Center in the United States is as follows:

1. Improve egg quality

Eggs require sufficient nutritional support during their development. Therefore, women should ensure sufficient intake of high-quality protein and fresh fruits and vegetables in their daily lives, while reducing their intake of spicy and cold foods to maintain nutritional balance. In addition, maintaining a positive and healthy mindset is also important, as timely coping with mental stress can lead to endocrine disorders and affect the quality of eggs.

In terms of daily habits, women should avoid staying up late, quit smoking and drinking, and stay away from polluted environments. Moderate physical activity is also key, such as jogging, hiking, skipping rope, etc. These exercises help maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) and improve the quality of eggs.

2. Customized ovulation induction plan and scientific medication

Experts from Little Monster Reproductive Center in the United States will develop personalized ovulation induction plans based on women’s age, ovarian function, hormone levels, and other indicators, while ensuring that their bodies remain healthy. Generally, experts will conduct a physical examination on the second day of a woman’s menstrual cycle. If the examination results show estrogen levels below 70, FSH levels below 10, and no dominant follicles appear, then experts will start injecting ovulation inducing drugs into women. The benefit of ovulation induction is that it can promote the simultaneous development and maturation of multiple follicles, increasing the number of high-quality eggs. These drugs are certified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as natural and have no side effects, and can be completely metabolized within one menstrual cycle.

3. Whole process monitoring of follicle development time

During ovulation induction, Little Monster IVF experts in the United States will conduct real-time follicle monitoring and drug tracking to ensure the normal development of follicles. On the 5th day of medication use, experts will measure the tension and echo intensity of follicles, while observing the female’s response to ovulation inducing drugs. If abnormal conditions are found, the medication dosage will be adjusted in a timely manner to prevent adverse reactions such as ascites, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, etc., to ensure normal maturation of follicles.

On the 7th day of medication, experts will primarily focus on the values of estrogen, progesterone, and follicle count to determine the optimal timing for egg retrieval. When the diameter of 12 follicles reaches or exceeds 18mm, or when the diameter of 23 follicles reaches or exceeds 17mm, injection of a rupture needle (HCG or Lupron) will begin, followed by waiting for 36 hours for egg collection surgery. This process aims to maximize the chances of success.

4. Seize the opportunity to obtain eggs

Before egg collection, experienced professional anesthesiologists will administer intravenous anesthesia to women. Once the woman enters a safe sleep state, the doctor will use vaginal ultrasound guidance for probe puncture. The egg retrieval needle will penetrate the vaginal wall and enter the ovary, and then extract the fluid containing the egg through a tube at the tail. The extracted liquid will flow into a test tube along with the tube of the egg retrieval needle. Subsequently, the expert poured the liquid into a glass container and retrieved the eggs under a microscope. The whole process only takes 10 to 15 minutes and will not cause strong discomfort. Women who are preparing to become mothers can safely return home after resting for 1 to 2 hours after egg retrieval.