What is the process of taking Clomid?

Question

I just started taking 10 mg daily of Provera to induce a period. The doctor put me on Provera for 10 days, and said I should get a period shortly thereafter. As soon as the period starts, she said I should start Clomid.I have to go in to speak to her for specifics, but I was curious if anyone out there knows that protocol. How soon after beginning the Clomid should I expect to ovulate? Do I go in for blood ovulation tests, or do I use a calendar? If I started Provera today, approximately what date will I ovulate on? Any help would be appreciated- I'm so curious and anxious!

Answer 1

I feel very badly that you did not get instructions on how to take the Clomid®(clomiphene citrate). This reflects poorly on the medical profession because induction of ovarian ovulation can be somewhat complicated. You actually need detailed instructions depending upon what condition you have and which regimen the doctor likes to use.

The reason most doctors give you progestins or progesterone to induce a menses is to make sure you have not recently ovulated or become pregnant. If you just ovulated, the progestins will usually not induce a menses until 14 days after ovulation. This protects you from inducing an ovulation on top of an ovulation or disrupting an ovulation and potential pregnancy with unneeded clomiphene.

Another reason to induce a menses before Clomid® is to make sure the lining of the uterus is at the right phase for egg implantation. If a menses is induced, then the endometrial lining has had only 14 days of growth and stimulation at the time of ovulation. When no menses is induced, the endometrium has been growing and been stimulated for 30 or more days and may not be as receptive to egg implantation.

Finally, if a menses is induced, the doctor knows for sure that you are not pregnant. Even if you use the most sensitive home pregnancy test you could still be pregnant with a negative test. Thus having a menstrual period is good reassurance that you are not pregnant and that the lining of the uterus is best prepared for an ovulation and potential pregnancy.

The most common regimen is to take the clomiphene starting on day 5 after the start of menses for 5 days ending on day 9. Another regimen is to start on day 4 through 8 and a recent publication even indicates the Clomid® can be taken on day 1 through day 5 (1) with a very successful pregnancy rate. If your doctor does not indicate otherwise, taking the medicine on days 5-9 is the usual and most commonly tested regimen.

Sometimes a 3 day regimen can also be used although it is not quite as successful at inducing ovulation, it may have a slightly higher pregnancy rate since the anti-estrogen effects of Clomid® on the endometrium are less pronounced.

In most cases, you can expect ovulation within 5-9 days of your last dose of Clomid, but the doctor who prescribed the medication for you should be able to give you a good indication of when to expect ovulation based on your own situation. He or she can also help you plan when to have intercourse based on when you are expecting ovulation.

Answer 2

The doctor will tell you which days to take the clomid. I took mine days 5-9. I ended up ovulating on day 18. A lot of women say that the clomid makes them ovulate a little later than usual. They say that you will usually ovulate 7-10 days after your last clomid pill. All doctors are different - some will just have you take it and others will have you come back in for tests to check your ovulation. I would suggest beginning to use ovulation predictor tests maybe on day 12. If you use them too soon after taking the clomid you'll get a false positive. Hope that helps you a bit.

Answer 3

Sometime ovulation does not occur during the first course of therapy.Often two 50 mg tablets are given as a single dose for 5 days.Most people will ovulate after the first course of therapy if not you may have to be reevaluated .If ovulation does not occur after three cycles I would make an appt. with my doctor.You are suppose to start the clomid on the fifth day of cycle.Ask your doctor I am not certain about the Provera.

Answer 4

normally you take clomid on days 5-9 of your period. The first day of bleeding being day one. Depending on your cycle length you should ovulate between day 14-17. I start my ovulation tests on day 13 and use a whole weeks worth. Then take a preg. test day 31-33. I usually only take provera 5 days and I start on the 5th or 6th day of the provera.