Fertility drugs are medications to treat women facing infertility problems. These drugs usually help a woman conceive if she is facing issues with the reproductive system.
Clomid is one of the most commonly used fertility drug prescribed by a gynecologist and is one of the first treatment steps offered to a couple facing problems in conceiving a child.
Common Questions About Clomid
Those of you who are looking forward to motherhood or parenthood, here are the answers to all your questions about Clomid.
1. What Is Clomid?
Clomid is an ovulatory stimulating drug that is used to help women who have problems with ovulation. It is usually available in the form of a pill and does not require a fertility specialist for its prescription. It is one of the most effective and commonly used fertility drug.
Clomid may also be available in the drugstores as Serophene. It may also be sold under the generic name clomiphene citrate.
2. When Is Clomid Used?
- Clomid is used when a woman has irregular menstrual cycles or when she experiences menstruation without ovulation.
- Clomid is also used when a woman experiences polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) related infertility.
- Clomid may also be used in cases of unexplained infertility.
- It is also used in cases where the couple prefers a less expensive fertility treatment.
- It may also be used in an IUI (intrauterine insemination) procedure. This is a fertility treatment that involves placing the sperm inside a woman’s womb to help fertilization.
3. When Should You Avoid Clomid?
Clomid may not be the best medication for fertility at all times. Avoid Clomid if you have the following conditions:
- Blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids, or uterine abnormalities
- Ovarian cysts
- Low ovarian reserves, either due to age or primary ovarian insufficiency
- A hormone-reactive tumor or a history of certain types of cancer. The tumor may increase with Clomid use.
- Poor reaction to Clomid in the past
4. What Are The Common Side Effects Of Clomid?
Any drug comes with side effects; Clomid is no different. Here is a list of the most common side effects of using Clomid.
- Enlarged and tender ovaries
- Headaches
- Abdominal tenderness
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Vaginal dryness or thicker cervical mucus
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety and insomnia
- Disturbances in vision
- Hot flashes
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Mood swings and fatigue
- Decrease in the quality of cervical mucus, making conception more difficult
- Thinner uterus lining, making it less favorable for implantation
5. How Is Clomid Used?
Clomid use may vary from person to person, so, it is important to follow what your doctor has prescribed for you. The most common dosage of Clomid is 50 mg, taken for five days. These are usually taken from Day 3 to Day 7 of your cycle. Some doctors may ask you to take the medication from Day 5 to Day 9 of your cycle.
If the normal dose of 50 mg does not work, your doctor may increase the medication. However, increasing the drug dose has its drawback. Higher doses, most often 150 mg or above, can make conception more difficult.
6. How Successful Is Clomid?
Clomid helps start ovulation for 80 percent of its patients. However, ovulation does not necessarily mean that you can get pregnant. About 40 to 45 percent of women who use Clomid get pregnant within six cycles of their use.
While Clomid helps a considerable number of women to get pregnant, there are always the exceptions. Not all women who use Clomid will experience ovulation. Those women using Clomid and unable to ovulate are referred to as Clomid resistant.
When Clomid is not working positively for a woman, the doctor may prescribe other medications. In the long run, other fertility treatments may have to be given a thought, too.
Other Facts You Need To Know About Clomid
Apart from the information shared above, there are other facts you should know about Clomid.
- Clomid can only help solve your ovulating problems. Taking Clomid does not make you pregnant faster. On the other hand, it may only lead to other side effects.
- If you want to get pregnant when using Clomid, you should have sexual intercourse when you are most fertile. You are most fertile a few days just before ovulation.
- When taking Clomid, there is a good chance of getting pregnant with twins. This may not always be true.
- Clomid may have an impact on your hormones and this can alter your mood.
- Clomid should not be used regularly. If you do, you are exposing yourself to a high risk of developing ovarian cancer.
- You should only take Clomid or any other fertility drug under the supervision of a doctor.
