Clomid is a brand of medication that contains clomifene citrate. It’s prescribed to women who are having difficulty in becoming pregnant, and it helps to stimulate ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries). Clomifene is proven to be effective with certain types of infertility, especially where the main cause of difficulty is due to the woman not being able to ovulate properly.
What does Clomid do?
Clomid works by blocking oestrogen receptors in the same part of the brain that’s responsible for homeostasis and regulating many things within the body, including sex-related hormones. This then encourages the brain to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH), which are produced naturally and prompt ovulation.
Clomiditself isn’t a hormone, but it stimulates your body to produce more of the
naturally occurring hormones that it might not be making enough of.
Is Clomid safe?
Clomid is usually prescribed to women who’ve already tried to conceive for some amount of time without success (though it also depends partly on age and pre-existing medical conditions). However, there might be some other underlying conditions which might mean that Clomid isn’t the most suitable medicine for you. If you have any of the following medical problems, you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your fertility before you buy clomid:
- Allergic to Clomid or any ingredients
- Liver disease
- Unusual and unexplained menstrual bleeding
- A type of cancer that it made worse by hormones
- Cyst on the ovary
- Already pregnant
- Early menopause
- Have been told that you’re infertilev
- Stopped having periods due to being underweight
- History of fits or seizures
- Fibroids in the womb
- Swollen ovaries
Having any of the above conditions might not necessarily mean that you aren’t able to take Clomid, but you might require close monitoring during treatment. Your own GP will be able to advise you better on your individual situation.
Clomid side effects
Taking Clomid means that your body will be releasing higher amounts of hormones than what you’re used to. This means that there’s a good chance that you might experience some side effects. Before looking at the common symptoms, it’s important to know about critical signs that need emergency treatment at a hospital. These include:
- Allergic reaction
- Over-stimulation of the ovaries
- Visual disturbances
- Sudden and severe headache
If you think you might be experiencing any of these complications, please dial 999 and
state that you’re taking Clomid and suspect a critical side effect. If you aren’t sure, or don’t feel particularly unwell, you can always ring 111 for advice. They may send you to A&E if they suspect that it could be a critical side effect of the medication.
When you buy Clomid, you’ll receive a patient information leaflet with your treatment which contains everything you need to know about the drug, including side effects. Please make yourself familiar with this leaflet when you buy clomid.
Some of the more common side effects outlined in the PIL include:
- Increased pain with periods
- Heavy periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain in lower abdomen
- Thinning of the layer covering the inside of the uterus
- Increased levels of fat in the blood
- Speech problems
- Skin rash
- Flushed skin
- Painful breasts
- Hair loss
- Thinning hair
- Numbness or tingling
Even though these side effects aren’t usually as serious as the ones listed above, if any of them effect you to an uncomfortable degree, you should either make an appointment with your GP to discuss your options, or call 111 if you think you might need urgent treatment.
You should always tell your doctor if you’re experiencing any side effects from a
medication, and you can also report it via the MHRA yellow card app, including
any symptoms that aren’t listed above.
No drug interactions are listed in the patient information leaflet, but you should still inform your doctor, or disclose in our patient questionnaire any and all medicines that you’re currently taking. It’s important to include OTC medicines (remedies that you can buy in supermarkets or in pharmacies without a prescription), herbal remedies (found in health shops or online), and illegal drugs.
Your doctor might advise you on whether you should alter your medication regime if it may be hindering your chances of becoming pregnant, or might interact with Clomid.
Always check with a GP or pharmacist about possible interactions before you buy Clomid online.
Clomid for men
Clomid generally shouldn’t be used by men unless it’s been advised or prescribed by a specialist.
Clomid hasn’t been licenced for use in men, but there’s some evidence to suggest that it might help some males with fertility problems. This is because Clomid blocks oestrogen (a female hormone that naturally occurs to some extent in males) from interacting with the pituitary gland – allowing increased production of LSH and LH, leading to higher testosterone levels and an increased sperm count.
Clomid might not work for all men, but could prove helpful for those that struggle with fertility due to low testosterone levels. However, Clomid for men must be prescribed by your GP or a specialist rather than online.
How to use Clomid
Clomid comes in tablet form, and your first round of treatment will usually start on day 2 of your cycle (the day after your period starts). It is then taken once daily at the same time each day, for 5 days. Clomid can be taken with or without food but must be swallowed whole with water to avoid the tablet getting stuck in your oesophagus and causing irritation.
What happens if I have irregular or rare periods?
If you don’t have regular periods or go for long amounts of time without menstruating,
your doctor might also prescribe hormones to encourage a period. Once this arrives, you should then take Clomid according to the instructions that your GP has given you.
When should I start having sex?
Some say that the best time to start having sex is from 5 days after your last Clomid
tablet (day 16 of your cycle). However, it’s generally recommended that you have regular sex (2-3 times a week) to give yourself the best chance of conception.
How do I know if Clomid has worked?
If you haven’t had a period for 6 weeks after your last dose of Clomid, you should take a pregnancy test. If it’s positive, you should make an appointment with your GP and request a HCG (pregnancy) test to confirm the result. If it’s negative, you should wait a week and repeat the test to confirm. If you aren’t pregnant, your doctor may choose to increase your dose of Clomid for the next cycle.
You will usually be prescribed up to 12 cycles of Clomid and no more than this. This is due to the risks that long term use of the medication can bring. Also, if you’ve been using Clomid for a year without success, it might be time to try a different method to help you conceive as Clomid might not be the most effective option for you.
Clomid is classed as a fertility drug due to the fact that it stimulates ovulation and helps a woman to become pregnant. However, it might not be suitable for everyone. Luckily, other fertility drugs exist that might be able to help you if Clomid can’t. Some of the most well-known fertility drugs include:
- Metformin (generally prescribed to women with PCOS)
- Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone & dopamine agonists
If your doctor doesn’t think that Clomid is suitable for you, or if it doesn’t seem to be helping you to conceive, they may suggest trying one of the fertility drugs listed above.
Clomid for PCOS
Clomid has been prescribed for several decades to help women that suffer from PCOS. Because of the fertility issues that PCOS can cause, many women with the condition don’t regularly ovulate, making it difficult to become pregnant. Because of the way Clomid works, it can help to stimulate regular ovulation in women with PCOS, helping them to become pregnant during their cycle.
Metformin and Clomid
Some women, especially those that suffer from PCOS, are advised to take metformin and Clomid together. This is to ensure that you have the best possible chance of conceiving. However, you should always speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting Clomid, especially if you already take metformin. Depending on your circumstances, your GP may need to adjust your dosage of one medication.
Metformin and Clomid are generally safe to be taken together, but always seek your doctor’s advice before changing your medication regime.
This medicine is no longer available to request via our online service. If you are still having trouble with your symptoms please visit the NHS website for services in your area.