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Clomiphene for Infertility

Examples

Generic Name Brand Name
clomiphene Clomid, Serophene

How It Works

Clomiphene stimulates the release of hormones needed to cause ovulation.

Clomiphene therapy is typically used for 5 consecutive days early in the menstrual cycle, for 3 to 6 monthly cycles. It may take several cycles to find the right dose to stimulate ovulation. After that dose is determined, a woman will take the drug for at least 3 more cycles. If she does not become pregnant after 6 cycles, it is unlikely that further clomiphene treatment will be successful.

Why It Is Used

For women. Clomiphene may be prescribed to:

  • Stimulate ovulation in a woman who does not ovulate or who ovulates irregularly. Her estrogen levels and pituitary gland function must be normal, and her male partner must be diagnosed as fertile.
  • Perform a clomiphene challenge test, which is sometimes used to evaluate a woman's ovulation and egg quality (ovarian reserve). When given early in a woman's menstrual cycle for 5 days, clomiphene elevates a woman's follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level. On the next day, an FSH blood level that has dropped back to normal is a sign of a normal ovarian reserve and ovulation. An elevated FSH is a sign of low ovarian reserve. Women who have a diminished ovarian reserve can use donor eggs, which greatly improves their chances of giving birth to a healthy child.
  • Stimulate the development of multiple eggs for use with assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT).
  • Regulate ovulation in a woman who ovulates irregularly and/or is going to have intrauterine insemination or artificial insemination.

Clomiphene is sometimes used together with other medicines and infertility treatments.

Before trying clomiphene, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are overweight are advised to lower their body mass index (BMI) with diet and exercise. Reaching a healthy weight can restart ovulation.1 If that isn't successful, using medicine to correct insulin metabolism may start ovulation. If not, a combination of medicines may help stimulate ovulation.

For men. Clomiphene may be used to treat low sperm counts (oligospermia).

How Well It Works

Unexplained infertility. There is limited evidence that clomiphene makes pregnancy more likely for couples with unexplained infertility.2 Clomiphene may be most effective when it is used to generate multiple eggs before an insemination procedure.

Infrequent or no ovulation. Of women whose infertility is caused only by absent or infrequent ovulation, with clomiphene treatment approximately 80 out of 100 women will ovulate. And within 9 cycles of treatment, 70 to 75 out of 100 will become pregnant. Experts used to think miscarriage rates were slightly higher in women who became pregnant using clomiphene. But recent studies have not shown this to be true.3

Polycystic ovary syndrome. Clomiphene alone may not be an effective treatment for most women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and severe insulin resistance, which is closely linked to obesity. Women with PCOS who are overweight often begin ovulating when they reduce their body mass index (BMI) with diet and exercise.

Side Effects

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

  • Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
  • Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
  • If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

  • Trouble breathing.
  • Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have:

  • Hives.
  • Stomach or pelvic pain.
  • Bloating.

Common side effects of this medicine include:

  • Hot flashes.
  • Breast tenderness.
  • Headaches.
  • Irritability.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

In some studies, miscarriage rates are slightly higher in women who become pregnant using clomiphene. It is not clear if this is related to an early hormonal effect on the egg or to preexisting conditions such as age or polycystic ovary syndrome, which are found more often in women who take clomiphene. Other studies have not shown an increased miscarriage rate.3

Of women who become pregnant after clomiphene therapy, about 7 to 10 out of 100 have a multiple pregnancy. Multiples resulting from clomiphene treatment are usually twins. Triplets are rare.3

Taking medicine

Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.

There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.

Advice for women

When you know you are pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Checkups

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2002, reaffirmed 2008). Management of infertility caused by ovulatory dysfunction. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 34. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 99(2): 347–358.
  2. Bhattacharya S, et al. (2010). Female infertility, search date October 2009. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
  3. Fritz MA, Speroff L (2011). Induction of ovulation. In Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, 8th ed., pp. 1293–1330. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised May 14, 2012

Last Revised: May 14, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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