IUI can be used either in a natural menstrual cycle or one in which drugs are used to induce follicular growth. If drugs are used to induce ovulation in women who otherwise do not ovulate, this is referred to as ovulation induction. Very often, IUI is combined with drugs such as FSH injections in order to cause more than one follicle to develop (usually 2-3 follicles) in women who already ovulate naturally; this is referred to as superovulation. See my sections on Anovulation and Ovulation Induction as well as The Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Tracking for additional information on follicles and how ovulation comes about.
Dr Hayden Homer inner page logo
