Clomiphene (Clomid or Serophene) is utilized by Kansas City fertility doctors as a primary treatment for infertility. An effective, antiestrogen drug, it is used to stimulate ovulation by causing the pituitary gland and hypothalamus to release ovulation-inducing hormones.

Uses: If you do not ovulate, or ovulate irregularly, clomiphene may be prescribed. If you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), your fertility doctor may prescribe metformin (an insulin-sensitizing drug) to help you respond better to the clomiphene therapy. Clomiphene is also used to stimulate egg production before undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Men having a low sperm count, or poor sperm quality or motility due to a hormonal imbalance originating in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus can sometimes be treated with clomiphene in an effort to improve the semen. However, some medical studies have shown no increase in pregnancy rates in couples where the male was treated with the drug.

Treatment: Administered orally as a tablet for one five-day cycle a month, the first dose is typically given three to five days after menstruation begins. Ovulation occurs about seven days after taking the last dose. Frequent monitoring is needed.

Effectiveness: Used for more than 25 years, Clomiphene works in about 60 to 80 percent of women. Out of those women, approximately 40 to 50 percent will achieve pregnancy. Most pregnancies happen in the first three months. If a patient fails to respond within 3-6 ovulatory cycles, a different infertility therapy is recommended. There is a chance of having multiples- about 10 percent of women who achieve pregnancy have twins.

Risks:  Sometimes women develop ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS), if they are taking other fertility drugs in conjunction with clomiphene. OHSS happens when the body responds too well to drug therapy and the ovaries produce too many eggs. The ovaries also become excessively swollen, leaking fluid into the abdominal cavity. Most of the time the situation will resolve itself with careful monitoring by your Kansas City fertility doctors. In rare cases hospitalization may be required as OHSS can be life threatening.

Side Effects: Generally mild, they can include: headache, hot flashes, mood swings, breast tenderness, bloating, nausea, blurred vision, vaginal dryness, ovarian cysts and pelvic discomfort.