Infertility Treatment, Best Option

Many couples that have difficulty conceiving through natural methods choose to undergo various fertility treatments to increase their chances of becoming pregnant.

One of the most popular medications used to heighten fertility is Clomid. Used for over 30 years to help induce and regulate ovulation, Clomid is often highly successful at producing a pregnancy. If you and your partner are experiencing troubles conceiving, you may want to ask your fertility specialist about this medication.

What is Clomid?

Clomid is a synthetic drug that prevents the effects of estrogen on the brain. The result is that the brain enhances the stimulation of the ovaries, which, in turn, leads to increased estrogen levels and the probability of ovulation. Having clomiphene citrate as active component, the drug is sold under two brand names Clomid produced by Merrell-Dow and Serophene manufactured by Serono. Clomiphene is used mainly to stimulate ovulation. Many women who do not ovulate, can start ovulate by taking Clomid.

How does Clomid work?

Clomid works by acting on a number of different receptors in the body that regulate hormone production and release. In particular, Clomid works to increase the amount of three hormones involved in the ovulation process, including:

• gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
• luteinizing hormone (LH)
• follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Clomid essentially tricks the body into believing that it has lowered levels of estrogen. As a result, the brain begins to secrete increased levels of GnRH, which, in turn, stimulates the release of FSH and LH. These hormones then trigger the ovaries to begin to mature more follicles.

Clomid is generally prescribed for couples facing female infertility, including:

• ganovulation
• PCOS
• irregular menstruation

Clomid is also used to increase the number of follicles available for IVF treatment procedures.

How Clomid should be taken?

Clomid is taken orally on specific days of your menstrual cycle. Depending upon your fertility clinic, you may be asked to take Clomid on Days 3-7 of your cycle, or Days 5-9 of your cycle. Dosages usually begin at 50 mg. Most women continue on this dosage for a cycle or two. If there is no improvement in ovulation, the dosage can be increased to a maximum of 200 mg per day.

Clomid is normally taken for a maximum of six cycles, after which use will be discontinued if it proves ineffective and another type of infertility treatment will be recommended. Occasionally, Clomid will be combined with additional hormonal medications.

Potential Clomid Adverse Reactions:

• Generally, Clomid is well tolerated but sometimes a patient may experience the following side effects: from the nervous system: dizziness, headache, drowsiness, slowing mental and motor reactions, depression, irritability, insomnia
• digestive system: nausea, vomiting, gastric colic, flatulence, diarrhea
• allergic reactions: rare - rash, allergic dermatitis, vasomotor disturbances
• urogenital system: rarely - polyuria, increased frequency of urination, pain in lower abdomen, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, increase in the size of the ovary (including cystic)
• other: weight gain, hot flushes, rarely - blurring, alopecia, breast tenderness

30% of women using Clomid also experience changes in their cervical mucous. Cervical mucous can then become hostile to sperm, making conception difficult.

Clomid Success Rates:

Clomid is generally a very effective drug for most women suffering from ovulatory dysfunction. In fact, between 70% and 90% of women taking Clomid begin to ovulate within the first three cycles. Additionally, 40% of couples become pregnant during the first three cycles. It is important to be aware that there is a 5% to 10% chance of multiple pregnancy (especially twin pregnancy) when taking Clomid. Speak to your fertility specialist if you are concerned about multiple pregnancy.