Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
Check out this new Memory
Pooja Gupta
Mom of a 4 m old girl
1 min ago
#babyphotochallenge
1 Likes
0 Comment
Suggested for you
Clomiphene Citrate (Fertility Drug)
For some couples, conception happens easily, while for others, it requires a lot of patience and effort and sometimes even fertility treatment. Clomiphene citrate, commonly known as Clomid, is the most widely used drug to trigger ovulation and the foremost medicine in fertility treatment.
What is Clomiphene Citrate?
Also known as Clomid, Clomiphene citrate is a nonsteroidal ovulatory stimulant in the Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) class of drugs. It is generally the first medicine prescribed to a woman who does not ovulate regularly. The drug is specifically recommended for treating ovulatory dysfunction in patients having PCOS and different forms of amenorrhea. The doctor may prescribe different doses of clomid medication depending on whether you are unable to ovulate or you have irregular periods because of polycystic ovaries. You may be prescribed clomid alone or in combination with Metformin.
Why Should You Take Clomiphene Citrate?
Clomiphene citrate is prescribed by the doctor, to induce ovulation and is the first step in treating infertility in women. You require clomiphene when your body is not capable of developing a mature egg in the follicle, on its own. You may have a clomiphene citrate pregnancy in the following cases:
You have irregular cycles or anovulatory cycles
You have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
You have unexplained infertility
You do not want to opt for expensive and invasive treatments
You are undergoing an intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure
How Does Clomifene Citrate Work?
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) acts as an agonist as well as an antagonist for oestrogen. It plays an important role in the development of mature follicles and boosts egg-production in the ovary. It works in the following ways:
Clomiphene blocks the effects of oestrogen hormone in the body. This happens when it gets attached to the oestrogen receptors preventing the hormone from further binding those receptors
This blockage effect tricks the brain into assuming that the oestrogen levels in the body are low
Low levels of oestrogen trigger the release of two other hormones namely FSH and LH, which are essential for ovulation
Follicle Stimulating Hormone(FSH) stimulates the follicles and helps in the ripening of eggs inside the follicles in the ovary
Luteinising Hormone(LH) triggers the release of the mature eggs from the follicles to the fallopian tube
Clomid Success Rate
Using clomiphene for ovulation induction is an established and effective treatment. It is used to normalise the process of ovulation in women. 50 mg of clomiphene citrate's success rate is quite high, and it is preferred in spite of mild side effects. About 70% to 80% women taking clomid ovulate in response to the drug while 40% may become pregnant and about 10- 12% may give birth. The odds of conceiving within the first six months or treatment with clomid are 50%.
Clomid success rates on first cycle depend on individual cases. A woman who is over 35, but has an ample number of eggs, may be benefited, but it may not prove very effective for those who are underweight or overweight.
Clomifene Treatment
The dosage of clomiphene citrate plays an important role in the success of the treatment. It is usually started with the lowest dose of 50mg and taken from day 3 through day 7 of your menstrual cycle. Some doctors may suggest that it be taken from day 5 to day 9 of your cycle. It is administered orally, and at the same time, every day for 5 days.
If you do not ovulate with the initial low dose of clomid, the doctor may increase your dosage by 50mg. This is repeated for subsequent cycles until the maximum dose of 250mg is reached. If you do not ovulate for 6 cycles, you will be taken off this drug and be prescribed an alternative treatment.
How Will You Know If You Ovulate?
Checking on your ovulation cycle is important when you are taking clomid, as it helps you by indicating your most fertile period. You can keep a check on your ovulation status in a number of ways. These include:
Using ovulation predictor kits
Keeping record of your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) every morning. The BBT increases when you are ovulating
Getting your ovaries monitored through an ultrasound
How Long Need You Take The Clomiphene Citrate Treatment
It is recommended to continue clomiphene medication for a maximum of 6 months. Continuing the medication above a period of 6 months can cause certain adverse effects. This is because clomid has the anti-oestrogen properties that affect the endometrium lining and cervical mucus negatively.
How Long Does It Take To Get Pregnant On Clomid?
It has been observed that women who are most likely to conceive with clomid do so in the first three months of starting the therapy, with very rare chances after 6 months.
Side Effects Of Clomid (Clomifene Citrate)
Clomiphene citrate helps induce ovulation and assists conception in women who are unable to get pregnant naturally. Clomid may cause certain side effects because of its anti-oestrogenic properties. These effects generally disappear after discontinuing the medication. Some common effects include:
1. Nausea
caused by the increased production of progesterone
2. Breast Tenderness
due to the surge in progesterone
3. Abdominal Discomfort
There are chances of ovarian enlargement caused due to clomiphene citrate. This enlargement causes pain and distention in the abdomen
4. Mood Swings
Clomid can cause emotional or psychological side effects such as mood swings
5. Hot Flashes
Hot flashes, similar to those occurring during menopause, are often a side effect of clomid. These are not very severe but cause annoyance and discomfort
Other Risks Of Taking Clomiphene Citrate
Long term usage of clomiphene citrate is known to cause serious problems like ovarian cysts and can worsen infertility. Hence, it is advisable to take the medication as suggested by the doctor and only up to 4 to 6 cycles. The various adverse effects caused by clomid are as follows:
1. Thinning of the Endometrium
Clomid can result in a thin uterine lining, because of its anti-oestrogenic property. During a menstrual cycle, oestrogen causes the thickening of the endometrium. But in case of induced ovulation, clomid hinders the complete thickening process of the uterine lining
2. Less Cervical Mucus
Cervical mucus plays an important role in conception. It is the mucus, which helps the sperms survive and swim through to the uterus. Oestrogen assists in the production of clear, watery mucus by stimulating the cervical glands. Clomiphene, acts as anti-oestrogen decreases mucus production and thickens the mucus. This affects fertility
3. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
OHSS is often reported by women using clomiphene citrate during the treatment of infertility. In some cases, it occurs when clomiphene is given in combination with the gonadotrophins. In this condition, the ovaries are enlarged with multiple follicles. This is accompanied by severe pain and swelling in the abdomen
4. Visual Disturbances
Many women taking clomiphene citrate have complained of blurred vision. In such cases, it is recommended to discontinue clomid
5. Risk of Multiple Pregnancies
The chances of multiple egg release are relatively higher with clomid usage. Clomid can cause twins in about 10% of pregnancies and less than 1% result in triplets or more
Things To Remember Before Taking Clomifene
Clomid is one of the most used conception aids in the market, as it helps you overcome your fertility issues and conceive. But, it has to be administered with certain precautions, so that it does not worsen your health or complicate matters. You should inform your doctor if you have any specific allergies or other medical ailments including:
Hypersensitivity
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Tumours
Endometriosis
When To Not Use Clomifene?
Clomiphene is not recommended in cases where it can worsen the condition or may have no effect on the body at all. In such circumstances, it is better to avoid the drug and opt for alternate and treatment. Some of them are:
Uterine abnormalities such as blocked fallopian tubes and fibroids
Infertility issue in your partner
Low ovarian reserves
A history of cancers
Poor response to clomid in the past
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the FAQs that most women search for during their journey to conception with clomiphene citrate.
1. If I Took Clomiphene for 5 Days, What are the Chances I Can Get Pregnant?
Most women with ovulation problems get pregnant within 3 months of using clomiphene. After 5 days of taking clomiphene, you should wait for ovulation and have intercourse during the most fertile days. Your chance of getting pregnant are higher if you monitor your ovulation using a kit or ultrasound and have sexual intercourse just before ovulation.
2. Does Clomiphene Change Your Ovulation Day?
Yes, clomiphene can change your ovulation day. You usually ovulate 5 to 10 days after the last pill of clomid.
3. When to Have Sex When Taking Clomid?
Couples trying to conceive should have intercourse during the most fertile period of the cycle. Women ovulate 7 to 10 days after the last clomid pill taken, so, the fertile period can be considered between day 14 and day 19 of the cycle. It is recommended you have sex every other day from day 11 to day 21 of your cycle. If your clomid treatment is accompanied by an HCG injection, then you would be advised to have sex on the day of the shot and the following days. These steps will maximise the chances of fertilisation.
A useful drug for couples who are trying to conceive, clomid should always be taken in consultation with a doctor. Make sure you track your response to the medication being administered, and be prepared to opt for an alternative course of treatment if it does not work for you.
Disclaimer: This article is only indicative of the general use of Clomid, and should not be used as an absolute guideline. This fertility drug should be taken only on the doctor’s advise, and under close monitoring.
Also Read:
Does Diabetes Affect Fertility in Men and Women?
Fertility Drugs for Men
How Does Estrogen Levels Has An Imapct on Fertility
Fertility Drugs for Women Read more
Suggested for you
5 Easy Tips to Keep your White Clothes Dazzling
White clothes make you feel fresh and confident. However, with age, your white shirts, tees and dresses tend to become yellow. Retain the look of your white clothes with these simple and easy white clothes washing tips. Go ahead, make heads turn!
Over time and with use, your white clothes tend to turn yellow. You would probably know by now how difficult it is to keep all white laundry looking new for long periods. Stain removal processes and other washing means for bringing back the original shine take up a lot of your time—right? Well, you're not alone. Millions of ladies, globally, are always on the lookout for keeping their whites clean and sparkling. These quick and easy washing tips promise to help this cause.
How to Keep Your White Wardrobe White
1. Separate Your Stock
Separate your coloured clothes from the whites. It’s essential to keep the light coloured clothes at bay too. This is because, sometimes, lightly tinted fabrics also end up transferring their hues to your white laundry, thereby making them look pale and old. This is one of the best white clothes washing tips, you could adopt.
2. Lesser Detergent? You’ll Get More Shine
It's a wrong notion that white fabrics need plenty of detergent to make them look pristine white. Rather, use of excessive detergent often makes your white clothes look dirtier and duller. Err! Confused about how to wash white clothes in that case? Consider rinsing your clothes several times with water post washing them with detergent—you won’t be disappointed.
3. Bleach Your Cottons, Lemon Works Too!
Bleaching is workable only for absolutely cotton whites and is the best answer to how to remove stains from your white clothes. Mix half a cup of lemon juice (or white vinegar) in hot water and soak your white fabrics for five to six hours. You may like to reduce the timeframe to an hour if the clothes aren’t too dirty. Once done, wash normally with detergent and see your white fabrics sparkle with renewed vigour.
4. Soften Your Water
Hard water makes your white clothes wear out faster. Borax is a proven softening agent that’s also helpful in removing accumulated dirt and stains from your clothes. If you have hard water running through your taps and washing machines, then consider using recommended quantities of borax for water softening purposes. Thereafter, use treated water for your washing needs and see its magic work. This is one of the easy tips to keep your white clothes dazzling.
5. Timely Stain Removals Are Important
Still thinking of ways to remove stubborn stains from your white clothes? Go the DIY way and make yourself an effective stain remover from hydrogen peroxide. Mix your regular detergent and hydrogen peroxide in one by two proportions. Apply this safe-to-use mixture on the stain and brush it well. You may also use baking soda and water along with hydrogen peroxide.
These ‘how to clean white clothes’ hacks can save you from wearing drab and not-so-white clothes. You just need to bring about small changes in your daily washing patterns and regain the white look of your once-bright fabric. You’ll love what you see! Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
Taking Antidepressants While Breastfeeding - Is It Safe?
At some point during pregnancy, depression is a mood disorder that affects some women. The symptoms are so similar to hormonal imbalance that often it is not detected properly at the initial stages. An increased risk of premature birth, decreased fetal growth and low birth weight are some of the problems associated with depression during pregnancy.
Can Nursing Moms Take Depression Medication?
Researches have proved the potential hazard of birth defects on taking an antidepressant while breastfeeding. Healthcare providers, therefore have to make the treatment decisions by balancing the risks and benefits of any medication. According to some other studies, certain antidepressant medications are probably safe to take as a very insignificant trace of the drug passes through breastmilk to the infant.
Do Postpartum Depression Medications Affect The Breast Milk?
Stress, anxiety and hormonal factors trigger postpartum depression which is a common condition among women. It has been generally noted that stress and anxiety can affect the breast milk. The mental well-being of a mother affects the supply of milk and the supply takes a larger hit in those who are worried about the milk production. Stress even slows down the flow of breast milk, and that can definitely be imperative to the baby’s health.
Are There Any Negative Effects of Antidepressants on Breastfed Babies?
Antidepressants can react unpredictably with other medications. As a precautionary measure, antidepressants are not usually recommended to women especially during the early phase of pregnancy. Breastfeeding and antidepressants can heighten the risk involved. The potential complications that can arise are a loss of pregnancy or birth defects, miscarriages or premature birth. Depending on the symptoms, the baby’s age and the mother’s emotional attachment, antidepressants are prescribed by health providers.
Precautions to Take while Using Antidepressants When Breastfeeding
Antidepressant medication should not be considered as the only option for treating depression. There are many risks associated with antidepressants and lactation, but the risk of untreated depression is the greatest. One should be clear about the precautions to take while using any anti-depressants. Some of the tips are given below:
1. Require a careful analysis of the risk
Treatment of depression is complex, and the risk to the mother and the baby should be analyzed before giving any antidepressant to any pregnant woman.
2. Careful observation after taking medicine
Sometimes mothers experience withdrawal symptoms. The infant then requires careful observation for a few days to identify and treat the symptoms found in the baby.
3. Interaction with other medicine
Antidepressants can interact with other medicines, and so the doctor has to be careful in working out the combination and constantly monitor the patient.
4. Stay in constant touch with the health providers
Individual patients tend to respond differently to different medications. One should be careful about the diverse adverse effects of such medicines.
Antidepressants That Are Safe to Take During Breastfeeding
Studies have proved beyond doubt that certain antidepressant medications are safe to take while nursing as a very little amount of the drug slips into the breast milk.
Certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are generally considered safe during pregnancy.
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake are also considered a safe option during pregnancy.
Bupropion medication is used for both depression and smoking cessation. This medication is not considered a first-line treatment for depression during pregnancy.
Tricyclic antidepressants are a class of medication which is considered only when a woman does not respond to other first and second line medications.
Antidepressants That Should Be Avoided When Nursing
The healthcare provider should minimize the baby’s exposure to medication by prescribing a single medication (monotherapy) at the lowest effective dose, especially if the patient is in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors paroxetine are discouraged as it sometimes causes fetal heart defects.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are also discouraged as they are known to limit fetal growth.
Antidepressants during the last trimester can cause the baby to experience temporary discontinuance symptoms like jitters, irritability, respiratory distress etc.
The crux of it is to understand that if a pregnant lady is feeling depressed, she should consult the health care provider. It is not easy to treat depression during pregnancy or the postpartum period. The risks and benefits of taking medication should be weighed carefully during this period. One should try to make an informed choice with the help of the healthcare provider – ultimately creating the best chance for long-term health.
Also Read:
Is It Safe to Smoke while Breastfeeding?
Getting Tattoo while Breastfeeding
Eating Antibiotics during Breastfeeding Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 9 m old child
4 hours ago
Q. hi mam , my baby 1 year and 9 month old just now onwards stop breast feeding .pls suggest formula milk to my baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. your baby is more than 1 year 9 months of age any milk including buffalo milk cows milk ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. #AskTheExpert hello dr.
baby planning kar rhi kuch tips btayiye conceive ho jaye
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. it's a natural process ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. when baby is kick? I'm 13 weeks pregnant
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. during first pregnancy you may feel the baby movements after 24 to 25 weeks of pregnancy and till then only mild flatters may be felt but which you may not be feeling if you are doing some work
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
2 hours ago
Q. I’m in my 31 week 1 day of pregnancy. What will be my delivery date??
As I have low lying placenta with grade 1 maturity.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. you had to correlate is ultrasound examination. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
2 hours ago
Q. My hemoglobin is 6.4 from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Now I’m 31 weeks pregnant. What should I do?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. Haven’t when you having some kind of iron supplement because they’re very good during the time of pregnancy if you are not having one you need to start with and whatever tabs you take you should just take it with any good juice specially pomegranate juice that’s going to help in doubling the impact of the medicine that you’re taking secondly try and include more of Iron which diet like spinach broccoli beetroot pomegranate black rice sweet potato these things are exceptionally healthy for you to consume
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
1 hour ago
Q. This is my cbc report
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. No there is nothing visible on my wall so I can really really cannot help you can you please repose the question once again providing all the necessary details as once I’m certain what are you talking about what’s mentioned in the report according to that I can provide you proper help on your question
Check out this new Memory
Seema
Mom of a 5 yr 7 m old boy
New Memory
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Sindhu Fashions
Mom of a 3 yr old girl
New Memory
#stylishbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
0
Mom of a 9 m old girl
1 min ago
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Puja
Mom of a 5 m old girl
1 min ago
My cute baby 😍
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive