Side Effects of Clomid

Clomid is an oral drug that is used to treat infertility. Just like any medication, Clomid has side effects that women must carefully consider prior to beginning a Clomid regimen. Women with abnormal vaginal bleeding, diminished liver function and those with ovarian cysts aren't good candidates for treatment using Clomid; however, in some cases, a physician may opt to treat these conditions while the patient is on Clomid therapy.

Common Side Effects

Feeling flushed and enlarged ovaries are the two most common side effects of Clomid. Other common side effects include bloating, nausea, vomiting and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Some women may experience amenorrhea and/or breast pain. Mood changes, headaches and visual disturbances are also possible. While these side effects generally aren't serious, reporting them to your physician is important, as a change in dosage and/or frequency may help to minimize these side effects without adversely affecting treatment.

Allergic Reaction

Some women may have an allergic reaction to Clomid. Signs of this include hives, facial swelling, a rash, trouble breathing and chest tightness. Any woman on Clomid who is experiencing a possible allergic reaction should seek emergency medical care, as allergic reactions are considered life-threatening.

Ovarian Cancer

There is a slight risk of developing ovarian cancer associated with taking Clomid. Generally, Clomid must be taken for a prolonged period for the risk of ovarian cancer to increase any more than is typically associated with the risk of ovarian cancer from infertility, and the cancer is generally diagnosed after treatment has stopped. Abdominal pain should be reported to your physician.

Rare Side Effects

According to Drugs.com, less than 1 percent of patients have reported symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, vaginal dryness, weight changes, insomnia and hair loss. There are also some symptoms that may be experienced by women on Clomid that haven't been definitively linked to the Clomid, including migraines, seizures, irritability, ovarian cysts, edema, back pain and body weakness.

References

Article reviewed by Bridget Gregory Last updated on: Aug 11, 2011

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