Ovarian stimulation
Also written as stims
A course of injectable hormone medication used to encourage the ovaries to develop multiple follicles in one cycle.
In plain English
It's the daily injections phase of IVF, aiming to get several follicles growing in one cycle instead of the usual one.
Why it matters
It's the stage most people find physically and emotionally demanding, involving daily injections and frequent monitoring scans.
Related terms
Guides that cover this
Sources
- IVF: what is IVF and how does it work?, HFEA (UK fertility regulator). Link checked 17 September 2026.
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