Ovarian Drilling

Ovarian drilling, also called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD), is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where small holes are made in the thick outer surface of the ovaries using laser or electrocautery to reduce androgen-producing tissue and trigger spontaneous ovulation. This procedure is typically considered only for women with PCOS who haven't responded to oral fertility medications, and while it can restore ovulation in many cases, the effects are often temporary and it carries risks including adhesion formation and reduced ovarian reserve. Modern fertility practice increasingly favors gonadotropin injections or IVF over ovarian drilling as second-line treatments.