advantages of clomid if ovaluating?

[Anonymous]

We have done all preliminary tests and it seems that we have unexplained infertility. I am 31 with very regular periods and progesterone tests show that I am ovaluating. What are the advantages of using clomid during an IUI cycle as opposed to doing an unmedicated IUI? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I asked the same thing. I had the same situation as you, but I was 34. I did 3 IUIs with clomid and none of them worked. I finally decided to stop for a month and go unmedicated and I got pregnant without ART. My OB did say that the clomid produced cysts and they are probably what helped the egg stay implanted. I didn't really care at that point, since I was pregnant. It didn't matter to me how it happened. Clomid also usually helps to produce more follicles. I only produced 1 each time, but if you produce more then your chances of getting pregnant go up.

[Anonymous]

How long have you been trying? I was in the EXACT same situation (same age and everything), and about to start clomid and metformin the NEXT MONTH, when we unexpectedly conceived spontaneously after 14 months of trying. Maybe not helpful, but maybe? All I'm saying is -- you may want to try without drugs and see whether things take on their own?

Also, were you on BC pills prior to trying? I think that's what ended up causing the year plus delay for us -- even though I was regular every month, I never seemed to have a "real" period for a year after stopping them. So now I'm a little suspicious (perhaps unreasonably) of pharmaceuticals. So take my input with a grain of salt if you like!

[Anonymous]

I don't know that there was any advantage for me. Clomid is an anti-estrogen and it was actually causing the lining of my uterus to thin out too much. I don't know if that's a side effect most people experience or not. Ended up getting pregnant once I quit Clomid. Unfortunately I miscarried but that is another story...

[Anonymous]

I did 3 IUIs with clomid and none of them worked. I finally decided to stop for a month and go unmedicated and I got pregnant without ART.

Same exact thing for me except I was 39.

For me, clomid produced multiple follicles, but it also thinned my lining, which is a common side effect. And, I had really bad emotional/depressive side effects from it too.

If it gives you more than one follicle, it might be worth trying, but otherwise, if you are ovulating on your own anyway, I don't think it's particularly useful.

[Anonymous]

If you already have regular cycles then there is no advantage to taking clomid, especially if it's not combined with IUI and progesterone support in the luteal phase.

[Anonymous]

Clomid turned me into a stark, raving, lunatic, the stuff is evil!

[Anonymous]

I think Clomid might mess with your cervical mucus, too -- so that it could actually impair your fertility from where you are now, if you're already ovulating (its primary use).

[Anonymous]

I have regular cycles and my OB/gyn gave me a subscription for 3 months worth of clomid, after reading some of the posts here I don't know what to do.

[Anonymous]

How long have you been trying? Sometimes it just takes time (says a lady who took 1.5 yrs to conceive, with "unexplained infertility" aka, "they couldn't find anything wrong, really, but wanted to put me on lots of meds"). Not what you wanna hear, probably, but it did work for me, eventually.

[Anonymous]

Wow - I loved clomid, in contrast to some others. I took it once and got pregnant immediately. No side effects.

I took it because, although I was ovulating, I had long cycles. I didn't want to waste time.

[Anonymous]

I am 35 and also have "unexplained infertility," as my husband and I have been trying for 18 months. I started clomid last cycle and it made me totally crazy - intense mood swings, crying spells, and just overall not good. On the positive side, it did produce more than one follicle, but I didn't get pregnant. Another side effect was that my uterus also thinned. I then had to take estrogen pill (vaginally) for 18 days. That part really sucks because the pill is blue, so you can imagine how gross you feel with blue stuff coming out of you.

[Anonymous]

This doesn't really address your question, but I wanted to let you know that I started clomid last month and had no side-effects.