Information about Clomid drug, how to use, dosage and side effects:
Clomid (Clomiphene or Clomifene) stimulates the release of hormones needed to cause ovulation. Clomid is usually applied during five consecutive days in the early period of the menstrual cycle, during the three and six monthly cycle. It may take several cycles to find the right dose that stimulates ovulation. Having determined the dose, women will continue to take this medicine during at least three cycles. If you do not get pregnant after six cycles, it is likely that further clomid therapy fails.
For women Clomid can be prescribed to
- stimulate ovulation in women who do not ovulate or ovulate irregularly. Estrogen and the pituitary in these women must be normal, and it must be established that their male partners are fertile.
- conducted test known as the “Clomiphene Challenge”, which is sometimes used to estimate a woman’s ovulation and quality of oocytes (ovarian reserve). If Clomifene is given early in the menstrual cycle, lasting five days, he raises the level of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). If the next day FSH levels fell to the normal value, it is a sign of normal ovarian reserve ovulation. Elevated levels of FSH is a sign of low ovarian reserve. Women with diminished ovarian reserve can use donor eggs, which greatly increase their chances of giving birth to a healthy child.
- stimulate the development of a large number of oocytes to be used for auxiliary reproductive methods such as in vitro fertilization (Eng. in itro fertilization, or IVF) or gamete transfer inside tubes (Eng. gamete intrafallopian transfer, or GIFT)
- regulate ovulation in women who ovulate irregularly and / or be subject to intrauterus fertilization or artificial insemination.
Clomid is sometimes used together with other medicines and treatments against infertility. Before you try clomid, women who suffer from polycystic ovaries and have overweight, it is advisable to reduce their body mass index (Eng. body mass index, or BMI) with the help of diet and exercise. Achieving a healthy weight can restart ovulation. If this is not successful, use of drugs that regulate insulin metabolism may initiate ovulation. If this fails, the combination of drugs can stimulate ovulation.
For men: Clomid can be used as a therapy in the treatment of oligospermia (low sperm count).
How successful this drug is?
Unexplained infertility. There is limited evidence that clomid increase the probability of conception in couples suffering from unexplained infertility. Clomiphene may be most useful when they are used to make the products more eggs before being subjected to the process of fertilization.
Irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate. Of the total number of women whose infertility is caused solely irregular ovulation or its complete absence, about 80% will ovulate with Clomid therapy. During nine cycles of use, 70% to 75% will get pregnant. Experts had previously thought that the rate of miscarriage is slightly higher in women who are pregnant with clomiphene, but recent studies have shown that this claim is not correct.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. By itself, Clomiphene citrate therapy is not effective for the majority of women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome and severe insulin insensitivity, which is closely associated with obesity. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome and overweight often start to ovulate after reducing its tellesne mass index (BMI) with the help of diet and exercise.
Clomid use can cause side effects:
- ovarian hyperstimulation, ranging from mild, with enlarged ovaries and discomfort in the region of the stomach, through moderate, which further causes nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath, and in severe and life-threatening;
- hot flashes;
- nausea, stomach pain;
- thick cervical mucus, through which the sperm can not pass. This problem can be rectified medication, or avoid resorting intrauterus insemination;
- sensitivity of the breast;
- blurred vision;
- hair loss (very rare);
Women who become pregnant after clomid use about 5% to 8% chance of multiple pregnancy, compared with 1% to 2% probability in the population of North America and Europe. Multiple pregnancy as a result of clomiphene almost exclusively twins. Triplets are rare.
The risk of miscarriage
In some studies, the incidence of miscarriage is slightly higher in women who remained pregnant using Clomid. It is not clear whether this is related to early hormonal effects on egg or with pre-existing conditions such as age or polycystic ovary syndrome, which are often present in women taking Clomifene. Other studies have shown an increased incidence of abortion. It is not noticed that Clomifene has harmful effects on the fetus.
What is important?
Many women try Clomifene therapy before they begin a series of analyzes related to infertility. However, most doctors before prescribing clomid, recommended a careful study of the medical history, physical examination, and semen analysis. If the operation verified your pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands, and shows no signs of endometriosis, and fertility of your partner is determined, Clomifene is considered safe and easy option. Most of the women who became pregnant using clomid happened in the first three cycles, with most staying pregnant for six every MC using Clomifene. Prolonged administration of clomiphene is usually not helpful. After three to six cycles recommended a reassessment of the situation or change the treatment plan. Be sure that your doctor is aware of any abnormal vaginal bleeding or any problems with ovarian cysts in the past before he prescribe Clomifene to you.
This drug is also known as: Clomifene, Clomiphene, Androxal, Clomid, Omifin, Serophene
For more information about drug Clomid visit Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clomifene