Clomid (Clomiphene citrate)

What is Clomid?

Clomid, Serophene, or Clomiphene citrate (it's all the same drug) is an ovulation inducing medication and is one the first treatments given to women who are having trouble conceiving due to ovulatory issues. It's a well known, relatively cheap and effective fertility drug and stimulates ovulation about 80% of the time.

How do I take it?

It's taken as a pill starting anywhere from CD2-CD9 for 5 days (the days you start it depend on your doctor and your response to Clomid). Take it at the same time everyday you take it and I recommend taking it at night before bed to cut down on some of the side effects. Typically, you will take Clomid for 6 cycles and if unsuccessful, move on to other treatment options.

How does it work?

Clomid blocks the estrogen receptors in your brain. It tricks your body into thinking you don't have enough estrogen. Your body then goes into overload and tries to produce more estrogen by producing more gonadotropin releasing hormone or GnRH (GnRH is what stimulates FSH and LH) therefore stimulating the production of FSH. FSH or follicle stimulating hormone is what is needed to ripen the eggs. In a nutshell, Clomid tricks your body into producing more FSH to encourage more follicle growth and more LH to push the eggs out.

Who benefits from Clomid use?

Typically women who are having ovulation problems. Either not ovulating all together or ovulating too late in a cycle.

How do I know I'm ovulating?

Charting! One of the easiest ways to see if you are ovulating is to chart your basal body temperature (BBT). If you're charting and not noticing a clear biphasic pattern, bring your charts to show your doctor. You may not be ovulating.

What dosage will I take?

Typically you'll start at 50mg if it's your very first time taking Clomid (if you've taken it before and know 50mg doesn't work, they will start you on whatever worked for you last time). It goes up in increments of 50 until 200mg. The lowest dose needed is recommended because the higher the dosage, the more it can make your mucus hostile to sperm and cause uterine lining issues.

What are the side effects?

Side effects on Clomid aren't THAT bad but they aren't exactly pleasant. The number 1 side effect I get and that people I know who have taken it have gotten is hot flashes. Oh the hot flashes! It seems to be the general consensus around the internet too. And this also seems to be the one that hangs around the longest (I think I had hot flashes for 3 months after 3 rounds of Clomid). Side effects include:

• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Hostile cervical mucus
• Mood Swings
• Headaches
• Tender breasts
• Hyperstimulation (OHSS)
• Twins

Did you just write twins as a side effect?

Yes, but it's not really a side effect. It's more like a slight possibility. You have about a 10% chance of having multiples while on Clomid.

How successful is Clomid?

Clomid will get women to ovulate 80% of the time. About 40%-45% will get pregnant in 6 cycles of use.

Clomid Use In Men

Men can also take Clomid to raise testosterone levels and therefore sperm counts. Read more about it here.