What Is Clomid And Its Side Effects
Clomid, or clomiphene citrate (generic), is a medication commonly used in women for the treatment of infertility. It is often used to induce ovulation in women who do not develop and release an egg (ovulate) independently. Clomid is also used to stimulate extra follicles and eggs in the ovaries of women that already ovulate without medications.
How does Clomid work?
Clomid works as an “anti-estrogen” that tricks the brain into thinking that estrogen levels in the body are very low. It does this by binding to estrogen receptors in the brain and blocking the ability of estrogen to bind to those receptors. The brain then thinks that estrogen levels are very low so a process begins that increases the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is the hormone involved with stimulating the development of mature follicles (egg-containing structures) in the ovary.
Many women will have side effects when taking Clomid. Many of the side effects and adverse effects of clomiphene are brought about by its anti-estrogenic properties.
Clomid side effects
Clomid treatment has some potential for adverse effects. Side effects are definite “cons” of clomiphene use. Adverse effects are seen in some, but not all women using the drug:
- 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 cervical mucous – this can lower fertility (bypassed by insemination)
Use of Clomid increases risks for twins and multiple pregnancy (sometimes the desired outcome):
- 92% singletons
- 7% twins
- 0.5% triplets
- Very rarely higher than triplets
Other side effects of clomiphene
Abdominal discomfort, ovarian cyst formation and nausea are also sometimes seen as side effects of clomiphene use.
Long term side effects or harm caused by Clomid use
We do not know of any long term negative effects of Clomid use. Research is always ongoing in areas such as this.
