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Why Do Women Use Clomid?
Some women can't get pregnant because they don't secrete enough LH and FSH at the right time during the cycle and, as a result, they don't ovulate. For these women, the first drug doctors often prescribe is clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene). This synthetic drug stimulates the hypothalamus to release more GnRH, which then prompts the pituitary to release more LH and FSH, and thus increases the stimulation of the ovary to begin to produce a mature egg.
Responding To Clomid
If a woman responds to clomiphene and develops a mature follicle (determined by adequate estrogen production and ultrasound examination), but has no LH surge by cycle day 15, then injection of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which actslike LH, can be given to stimulate final egg maturation and follicle rupture, releasing the egg. The woman tends to ovulate about 36 hours after the LH surge or HCG injection, which can be confirmed by further ultrasound scans.
What Are Some Other Fertility Treatments?
Sperm Analysis (SA) - An analysis of the man's sperm is usually the first step in diagnosis when a couple has been unable to conceive after a period of time. It is recommended that the man abstain from intercourse and alcohol for 48 hrs. prior to the SA. Once the sperm is collected, then it is analyzed for mobility, motility and count.
Hysterosalpingogram(HSG) - HSG is performed to determine if any blockages are present in a woman's fallopian tubes. It is a simple procedure and takes about 15 minutes to complete. To conduct an HSG, the doctor will place a clamp on the woman's cervix, and then shoot a radiologic dye solution into the tubes. The dye allows the doctor to see if there are any blockages and X-rays are taken at that time. The side effects from an HSG are minimal and include menstrual-like cramping. It is recommended to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before the procedure to minimize the cramping.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - IUIs are commonly recommended for the treatment of sperm antibodies or when it has been determined that the woman's cervical mucous (CM) is a “hostile environment” for the manes sperm. The sperm are washed in a process where the semen is mixed with a culture media in a test tube and then rapidly spun. The sperm is then placed directly into the woman's uterus during ovulation.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) - This procedure is most commonly recommended in instances where it has been determined that the woman's fallopian tubes are blocked and/or when IUI has proved unsuccessful. An IVF involves the removal of several eggs from the woman's ovaries and then fertilizing them with the males sperm in a petri dish. The 2-day old embryo is then placed in the woman's uterus.
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