The 411 on Clomid

With Clomid being dangled in front of me like a baby-making carrot, I set out to learn more about it. Here is some information about what it does, how you take to, side effects, risks, and success rates. I would love feedback from past users to hear if it was successful for you and any side effects you have had.

What is Clomid:

• The most commonly used fertility drug that stimulates ovulation about 80% of the time
• It works by stimulating hormones that cause ovulation

How do you Take Clomid:

• Pills are taken orally early in a woman's cycle (Typically CD 3-7 or 5-9)
• Typically, you start off with the lowest dose, 50 mg. If this proves unsuccessful in achieving ovulation or pregnancy, the doctor may increase the dosage all the way up to but not exceeding 150mg
• Often used in conjunction with IUI treatments (artificial insemination)
• Some doctors monitor your follicles to see if quality eggs are being produced, others do not
• Many doctors have patients do what is called the Clomid Challenge. This is used to evaluate a woman's ovulation and egg quality or ovarian reserve. Clomid increases FSH levels after 5 days of use. On the sixth day, the FSH blood level is drawn. It it drops back to normal levels, then ovarian reserve is normal. If it is high, it indicates a low ovarian reserve (your body is working harder to ovulate)

Who should take Clomid:

• Clomid is administered when there is a known problem with ovulation, but no physical problem, i.e. blocked fallopian tubes
• People with irregular cycles or anovulatory cycles (don't ovulate)
• Woman with PCOS have had good success with Clomid
• Used commonly for people with unexplained infertility
• People with Luteal Phase Defect may take to achieve a strong ovulation and produce more progesterone to lengthen the luteal phase

Side Effects from Clomid:

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Dizziness
• Blurry Vision
• Breast Tenderness
• Hot Flashes
• Moodiness
• Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Risks of Taking Clomid:

• The risk of multiples is exponentially higher on Clomid than natural conception. The twins rate is 10%
• Triplets and multiples of higher order are much more rare, with a 1% chance
• Clomid can decrease the amount of cervical mucus present and makes transporting the sperm to your egg more difficult
• Potentially, Clomid can thin the uterine lining, making implantation harder to achieve
• It is not recommended to take Clomid for more than six cycles

Success Rates with Clomid Use:

• 80% of users will ovulate
• 30% of users get pregnant their cycle of use
• 40-45% of women using Clomid for 6 cycles will achieve pregnancy

Sources: infertility.about.com, webmd.com