I am just starting to try to conceive. What are your thoughts on Clomid?

Question

Does it help? can it ensure pregnancy? Side effects? etc...Have not made a Doctors appt yet...thought I would get some advise from those who have actually taken it! ...please tell me what you think. Also, ovulation times have been really hard to perdict. kits dont seem to be working..Is clomid the answer?...Thanks!

Answer 1

Clomid can help some women, but it doesn't help all women, and nothing -- not frequent sex, not medication, not in vitro fertilization -- can ensure pregnancy.

Clomid can be helpful for women who are not ovulating. It is also used by many doctors to help treat women with low progesterone levels (the theory being that low progesterone is not a problem in and of itself, but is a symptom of a problem with ovulation itself).

A very common side effect with Clomid is a thinning of the uterine lining. Another common side effect is diminution of vaginal secretions. So, ironically, while Clomid can help a woman to ovulate, it can also create an environment in her body that is basically hostile to conception and pregnancy. This is one of the reasons why any woman taking Clomid should be closely monitored while on the medication, although the simple truth is that there are many doctors who essentially give their patient the pills and tell them to have a nice day.

Other common side effects are mood issues, headaches, and hot flashes. Ovarian enlargement (hyperstimulation) may also occur with Clomid, particularly among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) -- another reason why monitoring is necessary. As with any fertility drug designed to stimulate ovulation there is an increased risk of a multiple pregnancy, although that risk is small with Clomid (about 10 percent) as compared to injectible fertility medications.

It is also possible that you will not ovulate at all taking Clomid. That's what happened for me -- I ovulate on my own, but when taking Clomid follicles would start to develop and then...nothing. They would be reabsorbed into my body and I wouldn't ovulate.

All that being said, Clomid isn't a drug of first resort when trying to conceive. If you have any concerns that there are reasons why you might have difficulty conceiving, of course go in and see a doctor. But it's not something to just...go ahead and do because you want to conceive. The issues you have with ovulation may indicate an issue with which Clomid can help...or, they may not. If you have difficulty predicting ovulation, I strongly recommend charting your cycles -- either literally charting them or just taking note of the things one does to track one's own ovulation/cycle/fertility: taking your basal body temperature daily, checking your cervical fluids, and (if you can and are comfortable doing so) checking your cervical position. If your cycle isn't predictable and kits aren't working you should definitely give it a try. You may end up easily determining when you are at your most fertile to maximize your chances of conceiving, and, at the least, if you do end up seeing a doctor for ovulation issues you will be armed with information about your own cycles when you go in for your appointment. If you want to pursue this, I urge you to take a look at Taking Charge of Your Fertility, by Toni Weschler -- it's the veritable bible on fertility awareness and charting. (Also, the forums at http://www.tcoyf.com are extremely helpful.)

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!

ETA There have been questions about a connection between Clomid and certain forms of cancer, but there is no conclusive evidence. I'm not saying you shouldn't be concerned about a possible link; of course you should. However, you should discuss that with your doctor, *if* it appears that you would benefit from the use of Clomid. Some of the studies have been seriously questioned because of the lack of data (small numbers of women studied, an even smaller number of those women willing to have their medical records released for the study or willing to complete the questionairre, etc.). And there was even one study I read about that found a lower risk of uterine cancer among women who took Clomid than among women who didn't. My point being: the jury is still out, and it's a good subject for you and your doctor.

Answer 2

Clomid stimulates ovulation by blocking estrogen. Even 1 round of clomid increases the risks of reproductive cancers. It can also dry up the fertile cervical fluid that is NECESSARY for ovulation, thereby PREVENTING conception even if it triggers ovulations. I would never recommend clomid unless you are not ovulating and have tried other, more natural means of improving your cycle.


OPKs are simply not reliable for every woman. The best they can do is detect an LH surge. The do NOT confirm ovulation. If your body gears up to ovulate, but does not at that time, you can still have a detectable LH surge even though ovulation did NOT follow. If you ovulate later in your cycle than Day COunting would estimate, you can end up using many packs of OPKs waiting for a positive result (again, w/o any guarantee that ovulation has occured after a positive OPK).

The best and most reliable way I know of to track ovulation and know when YOU are fertile is to chart your fertility signs. Many times, a delay in conception is due to simple mistiming of intercourse. Other times, it can be due to cycle issues that are easily detectable and often solvable at home. Charting can tell you when you are fertile prior to ovulation and if there are any problems which are interfering. It's also a brilliant way to keep tabs on your overall and gyn health.

Some sources: The books The Art of Natural Family Planning and Taking CHarge of Your Fertility. The websites CCLI.org, Ovusoft.com, and Fertilityfriend.com

Answer 3

You should give your body a chance to conceive naturally before using Clomid. Since you're just starting to try. If you can't get pregnant within a few months of trying then you should start getting serious and asking your doctor about Clomid. I've never used it and I'm also just now starting to try with my fiance. Hope everything works out.

Answer 4

I took clomid as I had been on the depo shot and it stopped my body from ovulating. I had been trying for about 18 months. They won't usually give you clomid till you have been trying for at least a year. I had no side effects from it. I was pregnant the first time within 3-4 cycles and pregnant the second time within 3 cycles.

Answer 5

This medication is used to treat infertility in women. It works by stimulating an increase in the amount of hormones that support the growth and release of a mature egg (ovulation). This medication is not recommended for women whose ovaries no longer make eggs properly (primary pituitary or ovarian failure).

How to use Clomid Oral
Clomiphene must be taken by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor in order to be most effective. It is important to follow your dosing schedule carefully.

Your dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not take it more often or for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor. Long-term treatment with this medication is not recommended and should not be more than 6 cycles.

You may be directed to record your body temperature, perform ovulation tests, and properly time sexual intercourse for best results

Clomid Oral Side Effects
Stomach upset, bloating, abdominal/pelvic fullness, flushing ("hot flashes"), breast tenderness, headache, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Vision changes (e.g., blurred vision, seeing spots or flashes) may sometimes occur during clomiphene treatment, especially if you are exposed to bright light. These side effects usually go away a few days or weeks after treatment is stopped. However, in rare cases, vision changes may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following occur: vision problems/changes, eye pain.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: abnormal vaginal bleeding, mental/mood changes.

This medication may cause a condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Rarely, serious OHSS causes fluid to suddenly build up in the stomach, chest, and heart area. This may occur during therapy or after treatment has been stopped. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following side effects: severe pain/swelling in the lower abdomen (pelvic) area, sudden/rapid weight gain, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, change in the amount of urine, pain/redness/swelling of the legs, chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.


This med is not something that assures pregnancy though. Good luck!