The What And How Of Clomid

When a couple decides to have a family, as a rule, the last thing they think about is that they may have trouble conceiving. They won't know if there's a problem until they try, and if there is a problem then they begin the search for answers. If the difficulty lies within the woman, fertility medications are usually the first line of treatment prescribed.

What Is Clomid And How Is It Administered?

Known as clomiphene citrate, Clomid is considered to be one of the most popular medications available to increase the chances of conception. It has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of infertility when a couple is facing female infertility in the form of anovulation (the inability to ovulate), PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) or irregular menstruation. Clomid is also used in IVF (in vitro fertility) treatments to increase the number of follicles available for conception.

Should it be determined that the difficulty is ovulatory dysfunction, Clomid may be prescribed in order to regulate ovulation. When it is prescribed it is usually administered at the lowest possible dosage in order to determine how or if it will work. Failure to stimulate ovulation will result in an increase of the dosage for the next cycle. Clomid is generally given for a maximum of six cycles and if ovulation does not occur during that time, there is no real value in continuing with Clomid and other treatment options will be suggested. It is recommended that Clomid not be used beyond three to six months.

How Does Clomid Work?

The process of ovulation is very complex and involves a number of different hormones produced in a woman's body. The two which are vitally necessary for reproduction, and which are most frequently affected in cases of female infertility, are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The production of FSH is stimulated by gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), which is produced by the hypothalamus, a small gland at the base of the brain which regulates the level of reproductive hormones. FSH causes the growth of follicles which, in turn, releases estrogen into the body. When estrogen levels are high it means the follicles are mature and the need for GnRH is reduced; as a result, FSH levels lower.

In cases of female infertility, this process may be disrupted, which is where Clomid comes in. Clomid tricks the estrogen receptors at the hypothalamus into functioning as though estrogen levels are very low. As a result, the brain secretes higher levels of GnRH which stimulate FSH and LH. The ovaries are triggered by this chain reaction to mature more follicles. These follicles will become the eggs which can become fertilized-and pregnancy results. If there is no issue with ovulation, then Clomid is not a useful remedy.

Clomid Is An Effective Medication For Some Cases Of Infertility

The results of Clomid use have been very encouraging. Of the women who are unable to ovulate, 80 percent ovulate and of that number, 40 percent go on to conceive a pregnancy. Of the 40 percent who conceive, 10 percent will have a multiple pregnancy.

 

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