Letrozole is a drug that is used to encourage the body to ovulate (release an egg) when this is not happening normally. Letrozole acts on estrogen receptors so in some ways mimics what estrogen does to the body (but in other ways can act quite differently). Letrozole is the preferred drug to use for ovulation induction as it is less likely to result an twin pregnancy (which is higher risk for complications) than clomiphene (another drug used for the same process).

Letrozole should be taken for five days each cycle - starting day 3 (day 1 is the first day of bleeding).

If you are not having periods, you may be prescribed 10 days of a medication called Provera to induce a period. If this is the case, take the Provera for 10 days, and when you stop taking it you can expect bleeding to start within a few days. The first day of bleeding will become day 1 of the new cycle.

You should have regular intercourse (daily or second daily) from day 10 to day 20 of the cycle. (This should be vaginal intercourse with no condoms). On day 21 you should have a blood test to check your progesterone level, which will confirm whether or not you have ovulated (meaning the medication has worked). If a period comes, this becomes day 1 of the next cycle. If no period comes, you should take a pregnancy test.

A summary is shown below:

• If no regular periods - take 10 days of Provera and then stop to induce bleeding

• Day 1 (first day of bleeding) - if you think you may be pregnant it is worth doing a pregnancy test, as Letrozole is not safe to take while pregnant

• Day 3 to Day 7 - Take letrozole (usually 2.5mg tablet once daily, may need to be increased for future cycles)

• Day 10  to Day 20 - Regular intercourse (ideally daily or second daily)

• Day 21 - Blood test for progesterone (to check ovulation). Let us know when you have had this blood test done.

• If a period comes (around day 28) this becomes day 1 of the next cycle

  • If no period comes, take a pregnancy test and contact us with the results

If you have any questions please get in contact