Clomid: Frequently Asked Questions

There are various causes of infertility, one of them being a lack of ovulation in women. A woman with infrequent or absent periods has a problem ovulating. Clomiphene citrate or Clomid is a very safe and effective fertility medication, which helps induce ovulation in such anovulatory women, thereby increasing their chances of becoming pregnant. Read on for answers to the 5 most frequently asked questions. In this articleWhat is Clomid?Does Clomid haveany side effects?For how long canI use Clomid?I am ovulating,but am unable to conceive. We dont know the reason of infertility. CanI still take Clomid?Can I take Clomidwhen nursing?1. What is Clomid?Thereare various causes of infertility, one of them being a lack of ovulationin women. A woman with infrequent or absent periods has a problem ovulating. Clomiphene citrate or Clomid is a very safe and effective fertility medication,which helps induce ovulation in such anovulatory women, thereby increasingtheir chances of becoming pregnant. 2. Does Clomid haveany side effects?Yes, Clomid does have a few minor side effects, which include hot flashes, blurry vision, migraines and breastdiscomfort. Clomid also causes a decrease in fertile cervical fluid atthe time of ovulation. Thankfully,Clomid has no long-lasting sideeffects. Often when women experience breakthrough bleeding they dismissit as a symptom of Clomid. Breakthrough bleeding is NOT a common side effect,so if youexperience it when on Clomid, itsbest to discuss this with your gynaecologist. 3. For how long canI use Clomid?Clomid is an effective medication,and around 75% percent of women who get pregnant when on Clomid, do sowithin the first four to six months. If a woman does not get pregnant bythis time, it is advisable she consults with her gynaecologist. She shouldnot prolong the medication without a consultation. If a woman does notget pregnant within a year, it is advisable that she discontinue Clomid.Rarely are women prescribed Clomid for over a year - and if they are, theyare closely monitored. 4. I am ovulating,but am unable to conceive. We dont know the reason of infertility. CanI still take Clomid?When everything else seems normal- ovulation, regular menses, high sperm count - but the couple are stillunable to conceive for some reason, it is called unexplained infertility.Clomid has been prescribed in these cases at times - but has proved tobe ineffective. In fact, taking Clomid when it is not required may decreasethe womans chances of conceiving. Clomid has an anti-estrogen effect,which may cause thickening of the cervical lining,inhibiting the entryof sperm. It may also cause thinning of the uterine lining, preventingthe sperm from implanting. 5. Can I take Clomidwhen nursing?Clomid is a drug which is still undergoingvarious tests. It has proven to be effective in anovulatory women, andits side effects are also few. However,whether it is safe for the babyif taken by a nursingmother still has to be tested. Whilethere have been no negative reports, there is still no guarantee of itssafety. Clomid is, after all, a drug, and it is best not to inject thisinto the babys system thorough breast milk. In addition, Clomid theoreticallyreduces production of milk. (This doesnt always happen though.) In conclusion,its best to avoid Clomid if you are nursing. Ask yourself a few questions:Do you really need to take Clomid when nursing? Is it possible to waita while before trying to conceive again? Can you start your child on solids?Is your child being exclusively breastfed? Weigh the pros and cons beforecoming to a decision.

There are various causes of infertility, one of them being a lack of ovulation in women. A woman with infrequent or absent periods has a problem ovulating. Clomiphene citrate or Clomid is a very safe and effective fertility medication, which helps induce ovulation in such anovulatory women, thereby increasing their chances of becoming pregnant. Read on for answers to the 5 most frequently asked questions.

1. What is Clomid?

Thereare various causes of infertility, one of them being a lack of ovulationin women. A woman with infrequent or absent periods has a problem ovulating. Clomiphene citrate or Clomid is a very safe and effective fertility medication,which helps induce ovulation in such anovulatory women, thereby increasingtheir chances of becoming pregnant.

2. Does Clomid haveany side effects?

Yes, Clomid does have a few minor side effects, which include hot flashes, blurry vision, migraines and breastdiscomfort. Clomid also causes a decrease in fertile cervical fluid atthe time of ovulation. Thankfully,

Clomid has no long-lasting sideeffects. Often when women experience breakthrough bleeding they dismissit as a symptom of Clomid. Breakthrough bleeding is NOT a common side effect,so if youexperience it when on Clomid, it'sbest to discuss this with your gynaecologist.

3. For how long canI use Clomid?

Clomid is an effective medication,and around 75% percent of women who get pregnant when on Clomid, do sowithin the first four to six months. If a woman does not get pregnant bythis time, it is advisable she consults with her gynaecologist. She shouldnot prolong the medication without a consultation. If a woman does notget pregnant within a year, it is advisable that she discontinue Clomid.Rarely are women prescribed Clomid for over a year - and if they are, theyare closely monitored.

4. I am ovulating,but am unable to conceive. We don't know the reason of infertility. CanI still take Clomid?

When everything else seems normal- ovulation, regular menses, high sperm count - but the couple are stillunable to conceive for some reason, it is called unexplained infertility.Clomid has been prescribed in these cases at times - but has proved tobe ineffective. In fact, taking Clomid when it is not required may decreasethe woman's chances of conceiving. Clomid has an anti-estrogen effect,which may cause thickening of the cervical lining,inhibiting the entryof sperm. It may also cause thinning of the uterine lining, preventingthe sperm from implanting.

5. Can I take Clomidwhen nursing?

Clomid is a drug which is still undergoingvarious tests. It has proven to be effective in anovulatory women, andits side effects are also few. However,whether it is safe for the babyif taken by a nursingmother still has to be tested. Whilethere have been no negative reports, there is still no guarantee of itssafety. Clomid is, after all, a drug, and it is best not to inject thisinto the baby's system thorough breast milk. In addition, Clomid theoreticallyreduces production of milk. (This doesn't always happen though.) In conclusion,it's best to avoid Clomid if you are nursing. Ask yourself a few questions:Do you really need to take Clomid when nursing? Is it possible to waita while before trying to conceive again? Can you start your child on solids?Is your child being exclusively breastfed? Weigh the pros and cons beforecoming to a decision.