Women who do not ovulate on their own are very appropriate candidates for using these medications, even without a very comprehensive infertility evaluation. On the other hand, if you are ovulating fine and your doctor is putting you on the medication to produce more eggs and therefore possibly increase your chance to get pregnant, you should have a thorough evaluation prior to using these medications. In the right situations they can significantly improve your chance to get pregnant.

The ovulation inducing medications do, however, have potential side effects. For the medication Clomiphene these include twins, ovarian cysts, nausea, bloating, hot flashes, blurred vision and mood changes. For the fertility injections (gonadotropins) potential side effects include multiple pregnancy, and ovarian overstimulation (hyperstimulation).

There is some controversy as to whether taking ovulation inducing medications can increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. Most studies that have evaluated this have not found an increased risk, however a couple of controversial studies have suggested that there may be an increased risk in women who take ovulation inducing medication who have never used birth control pills ( birth control pills are protective against ovarian cancer) and who never get pregnant in their lifetime (pregnancy is protective). Though most experts feel that there is little if any increased risk, it may be years before we have the final answer. It therefore seems prudent to only use these medications when indicated, and under proper supervision. They should also not be used for many months, but if you do not get pregnant after three or so months of use, you and your physician should reevaluate what may be your best course of action.