Fertility Options Coach

Clomid or clompiphene citrate is often the first drug that doctors prescribe for infertility – especially for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). About one-third of women who take clomiphene citrate will get pregnant (this varies with the type of infertility). It is easy to administer since it is usually in pill form rather than a shot like many of the more powerful drugs.

The usual starting dose is 50 MG. If there is no ovulation, your doctor may increase the dose to 100, 150 or even 200 MG. For women with PCOS, metformin (an insulin sensitizing drug) is often prescribed as well. Studies show a dramatic increase in success for PCOS infertility treatment when metformin and clomid are combined.

Clomid also has a pretty good record of safety. While there are some serious side effects to watch out for, most women who take clomid have only mild symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, bloating and fatigue.

Clomid works by blocking the estrogen receptors in the pituitary gland, tricking the brain into thinking there is a shortage of estrogen. So, the body produces more and more estrogen. This stimulates the egg-producing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the egg-releasing hormone luteinizing hormone (LH). The ovaries respond to FSH by growing some egg-follicles. When one or more of the follicles is ripe, luteinizing hormone helps to thin the membrane over the follicle, allowing the egg to burst free.

Clomid is often used alone, but can also be used with other fertility drugs. Many fertility doctors are now using an additional drug close to ovulation to increase the chances that clomid will work. Many doctors also recommend intra-uterine insemination (IUI) as well. An IUI is done by washing the sperm sample to weed out slow swimmers and poorly formed sperm. This helps increase the chances of success. Then, the sperm is inserted through the woman’s cervix directly into the uterus.

An IUI can increase the chances of pregnancy by helping to make sure that only the healthiest sperm reach the egg and it can also help with the barriers that can prevent sperm from getting to the egg. Clomid is known to reduce the slippery cervical mucus that helps sperm to swim. If the cervical mucus is too scanty or too thick, the sperm will not make it. An IUI bypasses this problem.

Clomid does increase the risk of having multiple births. Not as much as the more powerful drugs, but quite enough to make it necessary to think about the possibility. About 7 percent of clomid pregnancies result in twins – the majority caused by the release of two eggs (fraternal twins). About 0.5% of those pregnancies are triplets. Four or more babies are possible, but the odds are very low. In at least one famous case, septuplets were the result of clomid.

While having more than one baby may seem like a jackpot to someone desperate for any baby, having twins or higher increases risk to mom and babies. Humans are just not meant to carry that many babies and it can wreak havoc on mom’s body – and lead to premature birth and many complications for babies. Very few triplets are full term, and higher order multiples almsot never make it out of the severe premie range.

Again, the odds of this are very low, but if you are planning to take clomid, you should know the risks. Women who ovulate on their own should not take fertility drugs. I have seen some foolish internet articles and forums suggesting that clomid is a good way to increase the chance of twins for otherwise normally fertile women. This is dangerous and irresponsible as it can lead to some very, very sick babies or even mom.

Clomid does carry the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, a condition in which the ovaries become very enlarged and may rupture. This can be very serious and should be treated immediately.

Clomid may also be prescribed to treat some forms of male infertility.