Women who have trouble ovulating may be wondering if prescription fertility pills may help. Clomiphene, often sold under the brand names Clomid or Serophene, is often the first fertility medication prescribed for women with ovulation problems. This medication helps about 80 percent of the women who take it to ovulate, explains the medical advisory board at BabyCenter.com. Out of those women, 40 percent successfully get pregnant. Taking the medication incorrectly can decrease the odds of getting pregnant, so women should always talk to a doctor about the appropriate way to take the medication.
Step 1
Talk to a doctor about potential side effects and risks of the clomiphene. Women may also consider discussing the increased risk of multiple births with a doctor. Multiple births increase the risk of complications for both the mother and fetus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women should be aware of these risks before taking the medication.
Step 2
Ask a doctor when to begin the medication. Most women begin taking clomiphene on or near day five of their menstrual cycle, but a doctor may recommend a different day to start depending upon the individual circumstances. For example, women who are not menstruating may start clomiphene at any time as long as they are not pregnant.
Step 3
Take the appropriate dosage. Most women begin by taking 50 mg of this medication, but women should check with a doctor to confirm their appropriate dosage. The manufacturer of clomiphene does not recommend a dosage of more than 100 mg each day, but Drugs.com notes that some successful pregnancies and term deliveries have occurred in women who received up to 200 mg each day.
Step 4
Take one pill each day for five days, or as instructed by a doctor. Take the medication at the same time each day, with a full glass of water.
Step 5
Time sexual intercourse around ovulation. Most women ovulate five to 10 days after completely a course of clomiphene. Women who chart their basal body temperatures, monitor their fertility signs or use an ovulation predictor kit can pinpoint more specifically when ovulation occurs.
Step 6
See a doctor. Most women on clomiphene have blood work done towards the end of her menstrual cycle to determine if ovulation or pregnancy occurred.
Step 7
Repeat if necessary. If the first cycle of clomiphene was unsuccessful at promoting ovulation, a doctor may increase the dosage of clomiphene to 100 mg. Doctors may prescribe clomiphene for up to six cycles, but may try another medication or fertility procedure after three cycles since success rates do not improve by taking this medication longer.
Tips and Warnings
- Women with specific medical conditions interfering with ovulating may benefit from other fertility pills. Metformin helps women with insulin resistance boost their ovulation. Bromocriptine inhibits prolactin production for women with a pituitary adenoma, which promotes natural ovulation. Women who have these conditions should talk to their doctor about these medications. Clomiphene also can treat male infertility, fibrocystic breasts, menstrual abnormalities and persistent breast milk production, according to the National Institutes of Health. People interested in using the medication for these purposes should contact a doctor for usage instructions.
- Clomiphene may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, also referred to as OHSS. Abdominal pain or swelling, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, and swelling of the hands or legs are some symptoms of OHSS. Women should seek emergency medical attention immediately if they develop any of these side effects while taking clomiphene. This condition can be fatal. Herbal supplements that claim to boost fertility are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Women who have problems with ovulation should always talk to a doctor before taking these supplements to help them conceive.
Things You'll Need
- Prescription
