Q: Start Taking Clomid?
Posted
Monday, November 05, 2007 9:51 PM
Q: What is Clomid, and when should I go on it? What should I expect when on it, and how effective is it?
Dr. Joseph Hill: Clomid,
or Clomiphene Citrate, is a medication the blocks the receptor for the
female hormone estrogen. This causes the pituitary gland to secrete
more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which in turn stimulates the
ovary to make an egg.
This medication is useful in helping
women who do not ovulate regularly to produce an egg every month, but
has limited use in helping women who already ovulate become pregnant.
If ovulation does not occur using this medication, there are others
available that may. If the medication successfully stimulates ovulation
but more than four to six cycles go by without a pregnancy, other
therapies should be attempted.
Ovulation is successfully
stimulated with Clomid in up to 80% of women who do not otherwise
ovulate, and 50% of these women become pregnant. Approximately 90% of
the pregnancies achieved through Clomid occur within the first four
cycles on the medication.
Clomid is associated in some women with mood swings and depression, but both should go away once off the medication.
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