Clomid is a type of medication called an aromatase inhibitor. It is used to help people with fertility problems who are also called sub-fertile or sub-ovulatory. This means that they have difficulty ovulating and producing eggs.
Normally, during ovulation, estrogen and progesterone peak in the body. With sub-fertility, there is insufficient estrogen and progesterone production.
To remedy this situation and improve chances of conceiving naturally, clomid can be prescribed to induce ovulation by increasing the amount of estrogen in the body. While Clomid works well for some women, it isn’t suitable for everyone.
Let’s take a closer look at how you can understand whether or not clomid is right for you – as well as alternative treatment options should you not be able to take clomid for any reason.
Table of Contents
What is Clomid?
Clomid is a medication used to treat infertility in women who are sub-fertile or sub-ovulatory. It increases the amount of estrogen in the body, which helps the body release a greater number of eggs during ovulation. The medication is also used to treat endometriosis.
Clomid is not a hormone, but it does help regulate hormone levels in the body. It works by blocking the aromatase enzyme that is responsible for converting androgens into estrogen.
How does Clomid work?
Clomid is an FDA-approved oral medication that is used to treat infertility. This medication is prescribed to women whose ovaries do not produce mature eggs. It is also used to treat endometriosis, a condition that occurs when tissue that is similar to the uterine lining is found in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries and Fallopian tubes.
Clomid works by increasing the amount of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is one of the female sex hormones that affect ovulation (the release of mature eggs from the ovary during one menstrual cycle). In women who have a problem with ovulation, clomid increases the amount of estrogen in the body, which helps the body release a greater number of eggs during ovulation.
Who should take Clomid?
Clomid is only for people whose sub-fertility is due to insufficient estrogen production. This means that it is likely that you will not be able to conceive naturally without it. It can therefore be used in conjunction with other fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF and GIFT.
You should visit your doctor if you have been trying to conceive naturally for at least six months without success. You may be prescribed clomid as part of your fertility treatment. It is advisable to have your partner see a doctor too if you have been struggling to conceive for some time.
Side effects of Clomid
Some of the side effects of clomid can include headaches, hot flushes, mood swings, abdominal cramping, food cravings, water retention, and weight gain.
Taking clomid for the first time can cause some mild side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and a weird taste in the mouth. These side effects are not as severe as they were when clomid was first used.
A more serious side effect of clomid is multiple births. The risk of having twins is 3 in 100, triplets is 1 in 100 and quadruplets is 1 in 1000.
Another serious side effect of taking clomid is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This is the swelling and enlargement of the ovaries that is caused by a rapid increase in production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
When can you not take Clomid?
Clomid is not for people who have had a miscarriage, a multiple pregnancy without having twins, blood clotting problems, liver problems, unusual growth of uterine tissue, or estrogen-dependent cancers.
Clomid is not suitable for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and women over the age of 40 due to the higher risk of multiple births.
Clomid is not suitable for people who wish to conceive naturally, people with low estrogen, low progesterone, those who have a history of blood clotting disorders, and those who are on other medications.
Alternatives to taking clomid
If you are sub-fertile and clomid is not suitable for you, you can try natural fertility treatments such as charting your ovulation, or fertility acupuncture.
Final Thoughts
Clomid is a medication used to treat infertility in women who are sub-fertile or sub-ovulatory. It increases the amount of estrogen in the body, which helps the body release a greater number of eggs during ovulation.
The medication is also used to treat endometriosis. Clomid is not a hormone, but it does help regulate hormone levels in the body. It works by blocking the aromatase enzyme that is responsible for converting androgens into estrogen.
Clomid is only for people whose sub-fertility is due to insufficient estrogen production. It can therefore be used in conjunction with other fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF and GIFT. You should visit your doctor if you have been trying to conceive naturally for at least six months without success.
