Clomid-The First Choice
Some couples conceive and birth babies seemingly without effort while others find themselves dealing with infertility. The road to conception, for such couples, can be challenging. Fertility treatments often become necessary in order for them to realize the dream of becoming parents.
What Is Clomid?
Sometimes the difficulty lies with ovulatory dysfunction. If, after testing, this turns out to be the case, then often the first line of treatment to encourage ovulation is the prescribed used of Clomid. Clomid, the prescription name for clomiphene citrate, is one of the most common fertility drugs used to regulate or induce ovulation. Initially it is prescribed in the lowest possible dose to gauge its effectiveness. If, after the first cycle there is no improvement in ovulation, the dosage will likely be increased for the next cycle. The suggested limit for Clomid use is six cycles. If ovulation occurs, there is no need to increase the dosage. However, if there is no ovulation after six cycles then other treatments will be recommended.
A Little Biology Lesson To Explain...
In order to explain the function of Clomid, understanding the normal ovulation cycle is of value. The job of the hypothalamus, a small gland at the base of the brain, is to regulate the levels of certain hormones that are necessary to the function of the reproductive organs. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are both manufactured in the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus produces gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the production of FSH.
FSH causes the growth and development of ovarian follicles, each of which contains an egg. As healthy follicles grow, they release estrogen that travels to the hypothalamus through the blood. The hypothalamus monitors the estrogen levels and produces GnRH as needed. Estrogen levels rise when the follicles mature, the need for GnRH is lowered and in turn, FSH levels are reduced.
...How Clomid Helps
If something hinders this hormonal process, then Clomid is prescribed as a method of addressing the issue. Clomid tricks the estrogen receptors at the hypothalamus into functioning as though estrogen levels are low. The hypothalamus responds by producing more GnRH, which then stimulates the pituitary gland to increase FSH. The concept of using Clomid is to stimulate the ovaries to make follicles, which will mature into eggs that can be fertilized-resulting in pregnancy. Clomid is only useful if there are ovulatory issues.
Clomid Is An Effective Medication
Clomid has proven to be a very effective medication for ovulation dysfunction, used for over 30 years to treat such problems. Of the women with ovulatory problems who are prescribed Clomid, 80 percent go on to ovulate and of that number, 40 percent conceive. Ten percent of those who do conceive will go on to have a multiple pregnancy.
While many women have no side effects from Clomid, others do. In high doses, a woman many experience mood swings, nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, hot flashes, headache and fatigue. In 30 percent of Clomid users, conception is hindered by the production of cervical mucus that is hostile to sperm.
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I started on clomid recently my first cycle.have been suffering from headaches and tummy cramps is this normal?