Is clomid effective for getting pregnant? How does it work?
Women suffering from fertility problems may be offered different treatments depending on the cause of their problem.
One of the most common remedies, which is often prescribed even quite superficially, is clomiphene, a drug that stimulates ovulation in women who find it difficult to ovulate regularly.
Clomiphene (which is commonly known as Clomid) is usually prescribed to women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This drug, due to its mechanism of action, can increase the probability of having a twin pregnancy.
Is clomiphene a common drug?
Yes, it is most often prescribed to women with PCOS and those who have irregular periods.
It is a drug that must be prescribed by a specialist , in particular by a gynecologist in order to be recommended in certain concentrations, tailor-made for the woman’s problem in order to avoid risks and increase the benefits.
The latest guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence suggest that Clomid should not be given to women with unexplained infertility as there is no evidence to show its effectiveness in such situations.
How does it work and when do you ovulate after taking it?
Women must take one tablet orally a day for five consecutive days, but the doctor will prescribe doses and times designed for the individual patient.
Clomid is an anti-estrogen and causes the pituitary gland to release hormones needed to stimulate ovulation. Basically the drug tricks the body into thinking there is not enough estrogen in the system and sends a signal to the pituitary gland to this secretes more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
This hormone in turn promotes the growth of follicles and the development of a single dominant follicle which contains a mature egg which is released during ovulation.
Does Clomid have any side effects?
The most common side effect is represented by mood swings, more rarely appear visual disturbances and hot flashes. Other rare side effects include pelvic pain, breast tenderness and nausea.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a rare side effect that can result from the body’s excessive response to Clomid. This is a rare but serious condition. For this reason it would be advisable for the doctor to verify the response to the drug with ultrasound monitoring.
What is the success rate?
The primary purpose of Clomid is to restore ovulation and it does so in approximately 70-80% of women who take it.
When ovulation occurs the probability of pregnancy is like for other women and that is about 20% per menstrual cycle.
Although it is well tolerated by most women, it can have some negative effects on the cervical mucus (reducing it) and on the endometrium, effects that can decrease its effectiveness. Obviously for women who are unable to ovulate the benefits of the drug outweigh the negative effects.
Can clomid help women who ovulate regularly to conceive?
Women who ovulate regularly have regular menstrual cycles. If clomiphene is prescribed to women who do not have problems ovulating, the opposite effect is obtained: in fact, the probability of conception is decreased . The reason lies precisely in the anti- estrogenic nature of the drug. Estrogens have the task of promoting the growth of the endometrium, a fundamental step to allow the implantation of any conceived embryo, but no less important, they allow the production of fertile, stringy and elastic cervical mucus which helps the journey of the spermatozoa. clomiphene can interfere with this phase.
Many women who take Clomid experience a “disappearance” offertile mucus which is very important in conception.
Why is it important to monitor ultrasound of the woman taking Clomid?
Clomiphene causes multiple follicles to mature at the same time and thus release more egg cells. One in 7 pregnancies with Clomid is twins.
The more eggs that are released, the more likely there is that at least one will be fertilized. But this must always be monitored carefully. In fact, it would be advisable to check the woman taking the drug with ultrasound to evaluate the thickness of the endometrium. If it’s too thin, you can supplement with estrogen after you finish taking Clomid. Other gynecologists later add another drug to help release the eggs from the follicles.
It is also important to monitor the woman after a course of clomiphene because another important side effect is the formation of large ovarian cysts.
Clomiphene is currently very popular because it does not cost much compared to other treatments and is relatively safe. Many women benefit from it but it can become risky if taken without monitoring and month after month without interruption. It is generally not recommended to take it more than 3-4 consecutive months as some studies indicate a risk of cancer if taken long term.
Warnings
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only, and in no case can it constitute the formulation of a diagnosis or the prescription of a treatment, and does not intend and must in no way replace the direct doctor-patient relationship or a specialist visit. It is recommended to always seek the advice of your doctor and/or specialists regarding any indication reported. If you have any doubts or questions about the use of a medicine, you should consult your doctor.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.