Clomiphene(Clomid) is often referred to as the "fertility pill". It is used to treat infertility in women who have an ovulation problem. It works by helping your pituitary glands (located the brain) improve the stimulation of developing follicles (eggs) in the ovaries. It may not help a woman become more fertile if she is already ovulating normally. The most common reason, Clomiphene is more often prescribed is to help those patients who have an abnormality with their cycle.

Clomiphene is usually prescribed for five days each cycle, usually beginning day three, four or five and continuing through day seven. The usual initial dose is one tablets daily. The tablets can be increased to as many as four daily if a lesser dosage does not cause ovulation, but rarely are more than two tablets required. Clomiphene only works in cycle in which it is taken. Clomiphene should be repeated each cycle until your doctor discontinues it.


Of all the woman treated with Clomiphene 80% will ovulate normally. Half f those patient who ovulate will become pregnant. Therefore, if you are not pregnant three or four cycles, additional workup such as hysterosalpingogram or laparoscopy may be necessary.

Some of women taking Clomiphene will experience side effects; these are minor and temporary in nature. They include such things as hot flash vision, nausea, ,and headache. Serious side effects are rarely due to Clomiphene therapy. There are two side effects associated with clomiphene that warrant specific discussion.

The first is the possibility of multiple pregnancy of twin occurring in women who conceive while taking Clomiphene has bearing as high as 10%.. Triplets may occur as frequently as 1 in 400 births, and quads 800 births.

Clomiphene has also been associated with the occasional development of multicystic ovaries. These cysts are not true growths of the ovary and within a few weeks will resolve if they receive treatment. However, on extremely rare occasion, these cysts have been known to cause internal bleeding or twist(torsion). requiring surgery and removal of the involved ovaries.

Clomiphene stimulated cycles are not unlike normal cycles in that there is only chance of conception occurring each cycle, even if the medication is working means that at least four to six cycles of treatment are necessary before one Clomiphene has an adequate trial.

Recent studies indicate that if a pregnancy occurs as a result of the Clomiphene there is a no clinical significant increase risk of miscarriage or congenital birth compared to other infertile couples who conceive without Clomiphene treatment. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome may be at higher risk for miscarriage in pregnancy conceived using Clomiphene treatment.