Clomid & Monitoring
Clomiphene (Clomid, Serophene) is a fertility medication that is used to induce ovulation in women who do not produce an egg every month. Clomiphene stimulates a woman’s ovaries to mature an increased number of follicles every month.
Because Clomid increases the number of mature follicles in the ovaries, the drug also increases the likelihood of ovulation and pregnancy .
Clomiphene is generally prescribed for couples facing female infertility, including:
- Anovulation
- PCOS
- Irregular menstruation
Clomiphene is routinely given from the 2nd full day of the period for 5 days, and the dose may vary from 50-150mg per day. If no ovulation occurs after increasing the dose over 2 to 3 months, or if no pregnancy results after 6 months of regular ovulation, alternative treatments should be considered.
Ultrasound scans are carried out 2-3 times during the treatment to check the response and pinpoint the ovulation. Ultrasound scans are combined with urine tests and blood tests to enhance the chances of pregnancy. In some cases trigger shots may be given to improve ovulation. An ultrasound scan also detects if there has been an over response to Clomid.
Potential Clomid Side Effects
Generally, Clomid side effects are mild and rarely may need to be discontinued:
- Mood swings
- Nausea and vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Fatigue
Like all fertility drugs, Clomid can be associated with the possibility of multiple egg development and may increase the risk of having twins and triplets.
There is no increased risk of miscarriage or birth defects after taking Clomid.
Clomid should not be used continually for over 12 months. A shorter duration of use is not associated with any risk.
