What’s Clomid?

Clomid is a potent medicine for female infertility. It quickens estrogen production, leading to luteinizing hormone production. When this hormone is available in the right quantity, the ovary may produce eggs. 

An Ob-Gyn or a reproduction specialist will prescribe this medicine as the first treatment for fertility cases such as:

  • Irregular menstruation
  • Menstruation without an ovulation
  • PCOS
  • Unexplained infertility

Additionally, couples who don’t want to undergo IVF can use Clomid. It could also be used during an IVF or IUI procedure. To boost the efficacy of the medicine, a specialist may combine Clomid with other ovulation medications.

Clomid may be used for infertility in men, but it’s not approved by the United States FDA. In men, Clomid causes an increase in FSH and LH, which are vital fertility hormones. FSH helps in the production of sperm, while the luteinizing hormone produces testosterone.

How to Utilize Clomid

This medicine comes in a 50 mg tablet form. It’s consumed for five consecutive days beginning from the fifth day of a menstrual period. But a gynecologist could ask you to start on the third or fourth day. 

You may also be required to consume between 1 to 4 tablets at once daily. But this depends on your treatment response. Generally, doctors prefer to start patients on 50 mg daily, then increase it if necessary.

After treatment, some blood tests will be done to check your hormone level. The doctor may also request an ultrasound to examine the image of the follicles in the ovary. It will determine the best time to have sexual intercourse or IUI. It also determines whether the dose will be adjusted in the next cycle.

Ovulation may start within the 5th to 10th day of utilizing Clomid, and your chances of getting pregnant increase when you have intercourse during ovulation. It’s advisable to get an ovulatory kit that you can use at home to check whether you’re ovulating. You can also chart your temperature readings in the morning to find out when to expect ovulation. 

If ovulation is absent after the first therapy cycle, a physician will change the dosage to 100 mg, which you should consume at once. This should commence thirty days after a previous treatment to rule out pregnancy.  

However, if you’ve not ovulated after three cycles, the specialist may discontinue treatment for further investigations. Clomid shouldn’t be utilized longer than six cycles because it may reduce your chances of getting pregnant.

Some fertility specialists may administer Clomid to men if other therapies have failed or the cause of the infertility is unknown. However, because it’s commonly used in women, there’s no established dose and treatment duration for men.

Who Shouldn’t Use Clomid?

A fertility specialist shouldn’t prescribe this medication for the following cases:

  • Fibroid
  • Tubal factor infertility
  • An ovarian cyst that’s not the same as PCOS
  • Thin endometrium
  • Poor ovarian reserve
  • Previous treatment failure with Clomid
  • A history of breast or uterine cancer
  • Cysts or tumors that could grow when the patient is consuming Clomid

Not all fertility problems require Clomid. For instance, a case of high prolactin concentration in the blood results in infertility but isn’t treated with Clomid. Therefore, it’s important to use a doctor’s prescription when treating infertility.

Precautions

Patients should adhere to these precautions:

  • Before consuming Clomid, ensure you don’t react to its ingredients. Also, inform the physician of all allergies you’ve had.
  • Tell the physician if you’ve suffered from:
    • Ovarian cysts
    • Fibroids
    • Abnormal uterine bleeding
    • Tumors
    • High LDL
    • Thyroid issues
    • Hepatic diseases
  • Clomid may lead to multiple pregnancies. A specialist will monitor you closely if the pregnancy is high risk.
  • You will be thoroughly evaluated to exclude cases of cysts or enlargement in the ovary, or pregnancy before and during therapy.
  • PCOS patients should start on a low dose.
  • Don’t consume cannabis or alcohol while ingesting Clomid because you may feel drowsy.
  • Avoid driving vehicles or machines and doing tasks that require concentration during Clomid therapy because it may cause blurry vision.
  • Pregnant women shouldn’t consume this medicine. It may lead to fetal abnormalities like:
    • Hidden spina bifida
    • Talipes
    • Conjoined twins
    • Down syndrome
    • Umbilical hernia
    • Cleft lip
    • Microcephaly
    • Congenital heart defects
  • Avoid utilizing this medicine beyond three therapy cycles to prevent the development of tumors in the ovary.
  • The drug may interrupt breast milk flow and could be found in the milk. Because it can harm an infant, lactating women shouldn’t consume it.
  • For proper monitoring, don’t skip laboratory tests and checkups such as ultrasounds and hormone levels. 

Side Effects of Clomid

It’s common to experience certain effects when consuming Clomid. They include:

  • Tender breasts
  • Spotting
  • Headache
  • Red skin 
  • Pelvic congestion
  • Bloating
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal pain

Clomid may result in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which causes an accumulation of fluid in the thoracic, pericardia, and abdominal regions. It could happen while undergoing therapy or when you discontinue, and it’s life-threatening. Report the following to a physician:

  • Swollen face
  • Mood changes
  • Diarrhea
  • Infrequent urination
  • Angina
  • Swollen feet
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dyspnea
  • Heart arrhythmia
  • Tachycardia

Discontinue Clomid therapy if the following happens:

  • Seeing flashes
  • Photophobia
  • Pressure in the pelvis
  • Heavy bleeding

Vision problems could be reversed or become permanent. Therefore, get medical help immediately.

Men may experience these side effects when consuming Clomid:

  • Tender pectoral muscle
  • Vision problems
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Headache
  • Cataracts
  • Prostate cancer
  • Acne
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Enlarged breasts

These side effects are reversible when you discontinue therapy. But it’s safe to inform your physician if they arise.

Drugs That Affect Clomid

These drugs will interfere with Clomid:

  • Ospemifene
  • Abrocitinib
  • Bexarotene

Ensure you inform your physician of any drugs you’re consuming, whether they’re OTCs, supplements, or herbal products.

Missed Dosage/ Overdose

A missed dose should be reported to a physician promptly. Don’t consume more than one dose because it could lead to toxicity. Overdose may present these signs: 

  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Unconsciousness
  • Blurry vision
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal discomfort

If you or someone overdoses on Clomid, contact the Poison Control Team in your location or rush to the emergency unit of a hospital.