If you are struggling to conceive, your fertility specialist will want to run a complete evaluation to determine the causes of your infertility. One of the first things Dr. Douglas looks at is whether or not the female patient is ovulating. Irregular ovulation or anovulation is a common roadblock for conceiving a baby.
During ovulation, a mature egg is released from the ovary and then travels down the fallopian tubes towards the uterus so that it can be fertilized by the male partner’s sperm. Certain ovulatory disorders like anovulation, PCOS, and other infertility issues can disrupt the normal process. Without ovulation, you can’t achieve pregnancy.
After completing your fertility workup, Dr. Douglas may suggest Clomid as a first line treatment for ovulation issues. Through various hormonal mechanisms, Clomid increases production of LH and FSH, hormones required for ovulation, to foster a mature ovarian follicle and the release of the ovum. Generally, patients take Clomid for about five days at the beginning of a cycle. Actual dosage and length of use will depend on the patient’s specific case.
Like all medications, Clomid can have some side effects. The most well-known is an increased chance for multiples in a pregnancy. Clomid users have up to a 10 percent chance of twins as compared with 3 percent in the general population.
For the best results, Dr. Douglas typically only prescribes Clomid for three to six cycles before other treatment options are considered. Pregnancy rates with Clomid drop off dramatically after this point. If Clomid doesn’t work, Dr. Douglas may suggest other therapies such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro-fertilization (IVF).
Wanting a baby and not having success with that goal can feel frustrating. Dr. Douglas and the team at IVF Plano can help find the right therapy, including Clomid, to increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
For more information, please visit www.ivfplano.com. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Douglas, contact our office.
Clomid, female infertility, fertility treatment, Ovulation Induction, ovulation stimulation | Ovulation
