What exactly does Clomid do?

TDoern · 03-07-2005, 06:01 PM

I'm due to start Clomid on cycle days 3-7. I was wondering if anyone can tell me exactly what Clomid does, in lay-mans terms. I mean my understanding is that it makes you more fertile or something... but HOW? Anyone have a clue?

Thanks a ton ahead of time!
Tammy

braunnm17 · 03-07-2005, 09:43 PM

I don't have a real scientific explanation for you...to my knowledge it helps stimulate your follicles so they grow and release eggs.

My OB watches me when I'm on clomid. I have a ultrasound on CD 5 to make sure that my ovaries aren't overstimulated from previous clomid rounds and then I take the clomid CD 5-9. I then go in on CD 12 to see how big my follicles are. She likes to see them at 2.0mm or more. If they are big enough, then she usually gives me a HCG shot which forces my ovaries to release the eggs.

Currently, I am on 150 mgs...I go in tomorrow for my CD 12 ultrasound to see how things are progressing...hopefully I'll have some 2.0mm ones!

I hope this helps! Good luck!!!!

TDoern · 03-08-2005, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the information. I was able to find a ton of information on what it's for and sideeffects and all, but nothing that said HOW.

Right now hubby and I are trying to keep things as inexpensive as possible because our insurance wont pay for anything having to do with fertility (or I guess lack there-of in my case). And since this is going to be our first round things are going slow.

Thanks for the info!
Hugs
Tammy

RunnerDuck · 03-08-2005, 03:45 PM

My understanding is that it is an anti-estrogen... you take it and your body thinks it is short on estrogen... so it pumps out more estrogen... and either it also pumps out more LH and FSH OR the estrogen causes those hormones to rise... and this causes follicular development & egg release...

What I'm not sure of is how this helps someone with PCOS who already has super high LH... that part confuses me.