Clomid fertility treatment: what you need to know

If you're trying to get pregnant and your periods aren't regular, Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is often the first drug doctors try. It helps the ovaries release an egg, and it’s cheap and widely used. Quick fact: Clomid causes ovulation in about 70–80% of women, though the chance of pregnancy per cycle is lower, usually near 10–15%.

How Clomid works and who it helps

Clomid blocks estrogen signals in the brain. That tricks your body into making more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which tell the ovaries to grow follicles and release eggs. It's most helpful for women with ovulation problems—especially polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or irregular cycles.

Doctors usually start with 50 mg daily for 5 days, often beginning on day 3–5 of your cycle. If ovulation doesn't happen, they may raise the dose to 100 mg or 150 mg. Treatment is short-term: many providers limit Clomid to about 3–6 cycles.

Safety, side effects, and practical tips

Common side effects are mild: hot flashes, mood swings, breast tenderness, or headaches. A few people notice thinner cervical mucus, which can make sperm movement harder. There's also a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS) and a higher chance of twins—about 5–8%—but higher-order multiples are rare with Clomid alone.

Before starting Clomid, get a basic workup: confirm you're not already pregnant, check thyroid and prolactin levels, and do a pelvic ultrasound if needed. Your doctor may track ovulation with urine LH kits, blood progesterone tests, or ultrasound to time intercourse or insemination.

Practical tips that help: time sex for the fertile window (the five days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation), use an LH kit to catch the surge, and consider lifestyle changes—stop smoking, maintain healthy weight, and limit alcohol. If cervical mucus is an issue, ask your doctor about intrauterine insemination (IUI) to bypass it.

If Clomid doesn't lead to pregnancy after several cycles, options include injectable gonadotropins, letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor often preferred for PCOS), or moving to assisted reproductive techniques like IVF. Letrozole has become a common alternative because some studies show higher pregnancy rates for certain groups.

Don't take Clomid if you are pregnant, have liver disease, ovarian cysts unrelated to PCOS, or certain uncontrolled medical issues. Always follow your doctor's dosing and monitoring plan. If you get severe abdominal pain, rapid weight gain, or shortness of breath, seek medical care—these can be signs of OHSS.

Clomid is a straightforward, often-effective first step toward pregnancy for many people. Talk openly with your provider about goals, how long to try it, and what to try next if it doesn't work. Getting the timing, monitoring, and follow-up right makes a real difference.