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What Does Clomid Do?
Clomid works by suppressing the amount of naturally circulating estrogen and "tricks" the pituitary into producing more follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH). These natural gonadotropic hormones (FSH and LH) then stimulate the ovaries to ripen a follicle and to extrude an ovum (egg).
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.
When Do I Take Clomid?
Your physician will instruct you to take Clomid on either days 3-7 or 5-9 of your cycle, and it is usually based upon the Dr's preference and/or experience. Please follow your physician's directions carefully.
The most common regimen is to take the clomiphene starting on day 5 after the start of menses for 5 days ending on day 9. Another regimen is to start on day 4 through 8 and a recent publication even indicates the Clomid can be taken on day 1 through day 5 (1) with a very successful pregnancy rate. If your doctor does not indicate otherwise, taking the medicine on days 5-9 is the usual and most commonly tested regimen.
Sometimes a 3 day regimen can also be used although it is not quite as successful at inducing ovulation, it may have a slightly higher pregnancy rate since the anti-estrogen effects of Clomid on the endometrium are less pronounced.
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