Clomid is the brand name of the medication clomiphene citrate and may also be sold under the name Serophene. It is medication that is taken orally and usually used to treat female fertility problems that arise from ovulation difficulties. When the ovaries are not regularly ovulating, Clomid can work to stimulate egg production and when used appropriately, it has impressive rates of success in achieving pregnancy.
You’ll hear Clomid referred to as “the” fertility drug, but this is not the truth. When the reason a woman is not achieving pregnancy is due to lack of ovulation, Clomid has about an 80% success rate of achieving ovulation. Approximately 40% of women who use the medication will get pregnant in a six-month period. When the medication has not been successful over this period of time, other fertility drugs or treatments may be tried to help facilitate pregnancy. Fertility issues that result from other problems not associated with failure to ovulate aren’t likely to be resolved with the use of this drug.
The medication also may complicate chances of getting pregnant. One side effect is to reduce vaginal mucus, which actually helps to stimulate pregnancy. This may create a slightly hostile environment for sperm. It can make it more difficult for sperm to travel to released eggs.
It has other noted side effects that include blurred vision, fairly significant mood swings, tenderness of the breasts, and some women report hot flashes. You may have to observe special care when driving while taking Clomid. Additional side effects you should look for include unusual vaginal bleeding, and pain in the abdomen.
These side effects are not that bothersome for some women, and one benefit of Clomid’s use is that you only have to take it for a few days per month. Typically, women take the medication for five total days per menstrual cycle. They begin their dose the fifth day after their menstrual period, and take the medication through the ninth day. Side effects usually recess a few days after monthly doses stop.
Taking Clomid does increase chances of having twins, but the risk is only slightly elevated. 10% of women who get pregnant via this medication may become pregnant with twins. This is because the drug can stimulate the release of more than one egg per ovulation cycle. Higher order multiple births are very uncommon when this medication is used.
Other fertility medications may be injected rather than taken orally. They usually have higher side effect rates, and the high success rate of Clomid often makes it a good first option. It is usually not used when women are attempting pregnancy with in vitro fertilization (IVF), but it may be a preferred method when women are undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI), though this is not always the case.
