PCOS and Clomid

I have never used this drug or talked to my doctors about using Clomid. Today's information is research that I have done on it, because I have heard so many women who are either on it or have questions about it. If you have any information on it I would love to hear about it.

What is Clomid?
- Clomid is an oral medication used to treat infertility
- It is given to women with PCOS to help with ovulation and sometimes to get a period started again

How does Clomid work?
- Clomid tricks the brain into thinking that the body is low on estrogen.
- It attaches its self to the estrogen receptors in the brain, blocking the ability of estrogen to bind to them.
- By doing this the brain registers that the estrogen levels are low, thus causing the body to produce more FSH.

When should you take clomid?
- It is started early in the menstrual cycle and is taken for 5 days.
- It can be taken cycle days 3-7 or 5-9 ( I have not found any evidence that shows its better to take it one set of days or the other.)
- The beginning dosage is normally 1 pill a day of 50 mg. If this does not bring ovulation around then the dosage can be raised to 100mg or 150 mg.
- It is shown in studies that does over 200 mg are not effective and can cause even more side effects.

Clomid and Ovulation
- Most women will ovulate 8 to 10 days after completeing the 5 day course of clomid.
- If you are taking it during cycle days 5-9 then you should ovulate days 16-20.
- While taking Clomid it is a common thing for women to not ovulate until 2 weeks after the last dosage of Clomid is taken.

Side effects and issues to be aware of
- If you weight more then 190lbs Clomid will not work for you. 
- Clomid can cause mood swings, psychological/emotional side effects
- Hot flashes
- Abdominal discomfort
- Visual disturbances
- Ovarian cyst formation
- Nausea
- Thinning of the uterine endometrial lining
- Reduced production of the cervical mucous

So now that I have done my research, read blog posts, read doctors thoughts on it and so on, I am not sold. For me this would not be a drug that would work. I weigh to much for one and for two the side effects of Clomid are going to aggravate the different symptoms that I have with my PCOS. So for me the questions is why would I add to the discomfort and symptoms I already have. My answer for that is easy, I wont. This may not be the answer that you have for that questions, and that's ok. What you chose to do for you is your choice, if Clomid works for you then that is great! 

Please make sure that you talk to your doctors about the side effects of Clomid, please make sure you have all the facts before you start taking any type of drug.

Again if you have information on this that I do not have or even success stories from taking clomid and getting pregnant, please feel free to share them.


Resources:
www.healthline.com/goldcontent/clomiphene
www.advancedfertility.com/clomid-pcos-treatment.htm
PCOS and Clomid Fertility Treatment and Pregnancy
www.advancedfertility.com/clomid-side-effects.htm
 Side Effects and adverse effects of Clomid, Clomiphene citrate, fertility drug
www.infertility.about.com/od/clomid/a/clomidovulation.htm
Clomid Basics

Thank you for reading this, Best wishes!!!
Tabitha