Clomid is one of the fertility drugs used by women who are having trouble conceiving. This pill has proven to be successful in the treatment of ovulation problems in women over the years. It is the most widely used fertility medication. Clomid can be used to treat both male and female infertility, but we’ll concentrate on Clomid for female infertility.
Clomiphene citrate (also known as clomiphene, Clomid, or Serophene) is a fertility drug. Clomid can be tried first if a woman has irregular cycles or anovulatory cycles (menstruation without ovulation). Clomid is commonly used to treat infertility caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Clomid for female infertility works well for women who have irregular or nonexistent menstrual cycles. It can also be used by women who ovulate normally but are experiencing infertility for other reasons. Even when paired with intrauterine insemination, Clomid treatment results in a 10-12 percent pregnancy rate per period (IUI).
On the other hand, Clomid has a low response rate in women who do not ovulate due to low body weight or hypothalamic amenorrhea (when menstruation ceases for many months).
Side effects of Clomid
Women who are yet to use this ovulation-induced pill may be anxious to know if there are side effects. It is quite understood, just like some other drugs, there are body reactions you get when you are placed on Clomid, but trust me, these side effects are very normal.
The very common symptoms you get to notice are hot flashes, breast tenderness, mood swings, and nausea. When you stop taking the drug, the side effects will go away as well. Here are other less harmful side effects Clomid can cause.
- Ovaries that are expanded and tender
- Tenderness in the abdomen due to swollen and tender ovaries
- The feeling of being bloated
- Dryness in the vaginal area or thicker cervical mucus
- Insomnia and anxiety
- Disturbing vision
- Mood swings and exhaustion
Clomid for female infertility pregnancy chances
Medical experts suggest that by taking a 50 mg dose per day on days 3 through 7 of the menstrual cycle, the purpose of Clomid treatment is to normalize or induce ovulation. Eighty percent of women who take Clomid can ovulate successfully, with 10 to 12 percent conceiving per period.
Clomid is usually well tolerated by most women, although it can cause changes in a woman’s cervical mucus and endometrial effects in some cases, lowering success rates. No proof raising the Clomid dose would improve the chances of becoming pregnant. Increased Clomid dosages may exacerbate the side effects.
When to start having s*x after taking Clomid?
Women using Clomid for female infertility are advised to have sexual intercourse when they are most fertile to become pregnant. These would be the days leading up to ovulation.
Most women ovulate 7 to 10 days after taking their last Clomid pill, though this differs slightly from person to person. This indicates that you will most likely ovulate between Days 14 and 19 of your cycle.
You may want to start having s*x every other day on Day 11 and stop on Day 21 to have s*x during your most fertile period (which is two to three days before you ovulate).
You may also use an ovulation predictor test to figure out when you’re most fertile. Have s*x every day and for the next few days if the test shows you’re fertile.
HOW MANY CLOMID CYCLES DO YOU TRY BEFORE PROCEEDING?
Several factors will affect how many Clomid cycles you can try before moving on to a more advanced treatment plan under the supervision of a reproductive endocrinologist.
Patients taking Clomid without ultrasound screening who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), anovulation, or irregular periods:
- Women under the age of 38 can only try six cycles.
- Women over the age of 38 can only try three periods.
- Women under the age of 37 can try no more than three or four cycles of Clomid with ultrasound monitoring.
- Women aged 37 and up should begin more advanced care right away.
How many Clomid cycles would it take to get pregnant?
New treatment options can be considered if three to six cycles of Clomid do not result in pregnancy. The maximum number of Clomid treatments is six, but some doctors advise moving on if conception isn’t achieved by the third treatment period.
Clomid is extremely effective at inducing ovulation, resulting in the release of mature eggs in nearly 80% of women who use it. However, only around 10% to 13% of those will become pregnant per cycle. As a result, Clomid isn’t a panacea for infertility.
If you have infertility issues that aren’t linked to ovulation, such as blocked tubes, uterine defects, ovarian dysfunction, pelvic lesions, or any male infertility causes, Clomid won’t help you get pregnant.
On Clomid 50mg, how long does it take to get pregnant?
If you’re having trouble ovulating, Clomid has an 80% success rate, with most women ovulating during the first three months. Most women have a 50% risk of becoming pregnant within the first six months after beginning Clomid because of this ovulation boost.
Alternative to Clomid
Apart from Clomid which is the widely used fertility pill, there is Femara. These two has generated debate over the years on which is more effective.
Which Is Better: Femara or Clomid?
Femara, also known as Letrozole, is an oral fertility drug used to treat infertility in women that are having trouble ovulating or have unexplained infertility.
Femara works by encouraging the development and release of eggs in women that aren’t ovulating on their own – a process known as ovulation induction.
Conclusion
Clomid for female infertility is very effective. It may also be used in cases of undiagnosed infertility. It’s important to note that the main function of Clomid is for inducing ovulation and not a complete infertility drug.
Also, some women may not find it funny using Clomid, on this note, a woman’s age has a significant impact on pregnancy rates.
If Clomid alone isn’t working, your doctor may suggest combining it with intrauterine insemination (IUI).
