If your ovulation is irregular and you want to have a baby, your doctor may recommend that you take clomiphene citrate, an oral medication more commonly known by its original brand name, Clomid. Clomid is a nonsteroidal ovulatory stimulant that helps you produce healthy eggs.
At Columbia Fertility Associates — with offices in Washington, DC; Bethesda, Maryland; and Arlington, Virginia — our fertility specialists recommend Clomid as a first-line treatment for women who aren’t ovulating every month but have no other major fertility issues. Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and irregular periods often do well on Clomid. Clomid doesn’t require any injections and isn’t taken long term.
How does Clomid work?
Clomid works by stimulating a surge of the hormone gonadotropin. Gonadotropin encourages your ovarian follicles to enlarge and the eggs inside to mature. Normally, one follicle houses one egg.
When the follicle grows large enough, it bursts and releases a mature egg — a process known as ovulation. If you want to become pregnant, you should time sexual intercourse to coincide with ovulation. You keep track of ovulation by taking your body temperature each morning and through check-ups and tests your doctor conducts at Columbia Fertility Associates.
What are my chances of getting pregnant with Clomid?
About 30% of women who take Clomid get pregnant during a single cycle. If you don’t get pregnant, you can take Clomid for a total of six menstrual cycles.
How often do I have to take Clomid?
An average dose of Clomid is 50 mg daily for five days. That’s long enough for Clomid to stimulate the hormones your body needs to release a mature egg. Ovulation may take place anywhere between five and ten days after your last dose.
If you don’t become pregnant during your first cycle, we may increase the dosage to 100 mg. You can start a second course of Clomid just 30 days after your last course. You shouldn’t take Clomid for more than a total of six menstrual cycles.
Is Clomid safe?
All drugs have side effects. As long as you take Clomid as prescribed, it’s safe for you and your baby. Let your doctor know if you experience any unusual symptoms, such as blurred vision or abdominal pain. Only use Clomid when under your doctor’s care.
Will I have multiple babies with Clomid?
Because Clomid stimulates your ovaries to produce and release eggs, you have an increased risk for multiple pregnancies. However, the incidence of multiple births while on Clomid is less than 9%.
Can Clomid help my partner’s sperm count?
If your partner has fertility problems, we may recommend Clomid for him, too. Clomid can be helpful for men with:
- Hypogonadism (low testosterone levels)
- Oligoasthenozoospermia (low sperm levels, poor motility)
- Nonobstructive azoospermia (no sperm)
- Varicocele (varicose vein in testes or scrotum)
Men must take Clomid for at least three months before their sperm count is high enough to achieve a pregnancy. We may test your partner’s testosterone levels periodically and adjust therapy based on the results. Taking Clomid for male infertility can help you avoid surgery or in vitro fertilization (IVF) and increase the odds of IVF working if you do need it.
Can I take antioxidants with Clomid?
Vitamin E and other antioxidants seem to help Clomid work better so that you achieve pregnancy more readily. You can increase the number of antioxidants in your diet by focusing on eating fresh fruits and vegetables. We may also advise supplements.
To regulate your ovulation and increase your chances of pregnancy, talk to us about Clomid today. You can call our friendly staff or use the online contact form.
