Clomid for Ovulation Induction in Houston, Texas

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Clomid for Women

If you are having irregular or infrequent ovulation, or have unexplained infertility with normal ovulation, your fertility treatment may begin with your doctor prescribing the medication Clomiphene Citrate, frequently known by the brand name Clomid. It is the most commonly used for medication for ovulation induction. Other medications given for ovulation induction include Letrozole or Gonadotropins and their use will depend on your cause of infertility or previous treatment history. For patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it is typically recommended that treatment begins with Letrozole. For patients with diminished ovarian reserve (low egg count) injectable fertility medications (gonadotropins) should be used first.

How Does Clomid Work?

Prior to starting Clomid, your physician should perform an ultrasound to check for ovarian cysts. Then Clomid is taken on days 3 or 5 after the menstrual cycle begins and for a total length of 5 days. A typical starting dose is 50-100 mg per day of Clomid. Clomiphene (Clomid) is a fertility drug that works by blocking the receptors in your pituitary gland and hypothalamus from sensing the body’s estrogen levels. This causes your pituitary gland to produce Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) which allows for 1-3 follicles (where the eggs grow) in your ovary to develop (ovulation induction). Using clomiphene for ovulation induction increases your chances for pregnancy each month (cycle) that you use it.

What Are The Chances of Getting Pregnant On Clomid?

Your pregnancy depends on the maturation and release of eggs stimulated by ovulation induction drugs such as Clomid. For patients who are not ovulating, clomid can significantly increase your chances of pregnancy after starting this fertility medication. The timing of intercourse or insemination also is an important determinant of success. Using Clomid as a medication to stimulate ovulation induction will depend on your individualized fertility treatment plan. Pregnancy rates after several cycles of ovulation induction can be as high as 35% cumulatively.

How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant On Clomid?

After taking Clomid for 5 days (typically starting on cycle day 3 or 5) you should develop between 1-3 mature follicles 5-7 days later. You may notice that your cervical mucus becomes thin and watery. At this time, your physician may recommend Intrauterine insemination (IUI) or timed intercourse. Your physician may also recommend using an hCG injection to help determine optimal timing for intercourse or insemination. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) can double your chances of success with Clomid. Two weeks after insemination or intercourse a pregnancy test will determine if you are successful. Success rates are determined by the number of follicles that mature during ovulation induction, the age of the patient and the partner’s sperm count (if applicable).

Combination Insemination (IUI) with Clomid

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure in which the sperm are washed and placed inside your uterus. The IUI is performed at Inovi for the comfort and ease of patients. This process increases your chance of success by allowing the sperm to bypass your cervical mucus which allows more sperm to reach the egg and to reach the egg more quickly. Combining IUI with an ovulation induction medication such as Clomid or Letrozole can double your chances of becoming pregnant per treatment cycle.

What testing do I need before using Clomid?

In order to be a candidate to start Clomid treatment, you should have following testing performed:

Antimullerian Hormone (AMH), Antral follicle count (pelvic ultrasound) or Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) to confirm you have a normal ovarian reserve (egg count)
Thyroid hormone levels since high or low thyroid function can interfere with Clomid’s actions, reduce success rates and increase the chance of miscarriage
Hysterosalpingogram to confirm that at least one or both fallopian tubes are open
Semen Analysis for your partner to make sure the sperm count is adequate. If using donor sperm, you will need to select donor sperm intended for IUI which should have an adequate count
Pelvic Ultrasound to check for uterine fibroids or other uterine abnormalities which can factor into the medical advice provided by your fertility specialist
For patients with PCOS, it is also important to check adrenal function levels (DHEAS, 17-OHP) to optimize success rates

What are side effects of Clomid?

Common Clomid Side Effects Can Include:

Multiple Pregnancy Rate (twins in approximately than 8% of cases, triplets <1%)
Temporary ovarian enlargement and pelvic pain or fullness
Hot Flashes
Nausea
Breast Tenderness
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding or Uterine Bleeding
Blurred Vision or Other Reversible Visual Symptoms (blue discoloration of vision in 2%)
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome or OHSS (abdominal swelling or bloating)
Weight gain can occur with Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) and is temporary
Thinning of the endometrial (uterine) lining

If you are experiencing any abdominal swelling or visual symptoms please notify our office as soon as you begin experiencing them so we can provide medical advice. Despite concerns by patients, Clomid has not been clearly linked to ovarian cancer.

Additional Information about Clomid

When is IVF Indicated Instead of Clomid?

Your treatment plan could include an advanced fertility treatment called In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This procedure differs from ovulation induction with Clomid or IUI in that it requires both the eggs (oocyte) and sperm to be placed together in the IVF laboratory for fertilization to occur instead of inside your body. IVF may be recommended if you have not succeeded at ovulation induction with Clomid or experience other conditions such as have low egg (oocyte) count or ovarian function, blocked fallopian tubes, or male factor infertility.

Couples or single patients wanting to delay pregnancy or genetically testing for their embryos may choose this procedure. Patients with early menopause (menopause before age 40) or ovarian failure should undergo IVF with donor oocytes. A consultation with your healthcare professional will help determine if IVF is indicated.

How is IVF Done?

After your ovaries have been stimulated with medications similar to an ovulation induction cycle, and your physician determines your eggs are ready to be harvested, you will come to our specialized procedure area to have your eggs retrieved after your are given anesthesia. After your eggs are retrieved (oocyte retrieval), they will be combined with sperm in the IVF lab to create embryos (fertilized eggs). The embryos will then be transferred back to your uterus where they can attach to your uterus and grow (implantation)
If you or someone close to you is experiencing difficulty getting pregnant or wants more information on IUI or IVF treatments, they may contact our offices at 713-401-9000 for their private consultation.

Additionally, Inovi and Dr. Stephan Krotz are offering complimentary seminars in Houston, Texas discussing Fertility Treatments and how they may benefit you.

Clomid for Men

Although Clomid is not approved by the FDA for use in men, at times it is frequently prescribed by fertility centers as an off-label protocol for male infertility. It is mainly used to increase testosterone and sperm count, therefore increasing the chances of pregnancy when there are infertility problems associated with sperm (male factor).

Clomid for Men: Fertility, Effectiveness, Side Effects, and More

https://www.healthline.com/health/clomid-for-men