At 31 I had 3 cycles of Clomid due to unexplained infertility (3 years at that stage). I had to stop taking it as it gave me HUGE mood swings so if you are prone to that I'd be very careful about going on it. I just couldn't keep taking it. I did not fall pregnant on it but did conceive 3 months after stopping it (resulted in an early miscarriage and I never conceived again in that relationship for another 5.5 years).
I sound like I'm always pushing this theory lately as I've posted about it several times of late. A diet with 2% or more of transfats in it is now thought to cause infertility in some women. It can apparently stop ovulation. I started getting pregnant easily last year (3 pregnancies in 1 year at age 41 which is unusual) after pretty much eliminating trans fats from my diet. I started falling pregnant only 2 or 3 months after changing my diet. Use a search engine with the key words infertility and trans fats & you will see what it's all about. Unless you have a very strict diet you are likely to be eating transfats regularly.
I just thought I would offer you an alternative as it seemed to work for me. I had been told twice in my life that my only option was to use IVF. They were wrong.
Thanks for you reply. I googled transfats and infertility and found that it reduces fertility by as much as 70%!! My diet is pretty ok (don't eat butter/marg, remove skin off chicken, trim fat off meat). I started eating healthy about 4 months ago and did notice an improvement in my overall health. I went on a low GI diet, walked for an hr each day and cut out takeaways, processed food. My periods were regular after 12 years! I started a new job a month ago and started eating more takeaways and have been missing out on my daily walks. My current cycle is long and there is no sign of ovulation (I am charting) .
I will definitely watch out for the transfats. Thanks heaps.
I have PCOS, and do not ovulate without stimulation. Jazz was conceived with IUI, and the help of Clomid. It was my 4th cycle, CD5-9 75mg, and also a HCG shot (ovidrel I think?) to pop the egg out.
My first two cycles were CD2-6 25mg, and then CD2-6 50mg, late ovulation (about CD 18-20), follies that were on the small side, and kind of thin endo lining (follies and lining in the bottom range of acceptable ... if that makes sense) but no BFP. The fourth cycle was really good, ovulated CD18 but with an excellent sized follie and really thick endometrium lining.
The physical side effects were frustrating bbut not toooooo bad. The headaches and hot flashes were the worst, but not everyone gets them.I can't even remember what other physical side effects I got... it seems so long ago...
I got one cyst in the whole 4 months, and that was at the end of cycle 3, and it resolved itself in a matter of days.
I found it really tough on Clomid. I have a history of depression and anxiety. The first cycle was ok, and the second wasn't too bad, but the third and fourth were horrid. I did back to back cycles, so as soon as AF arrived I was back on Clomid, so I didn't get a break. I was also charting too which I think makes it impossible to wake up and forget that you're waiting to ovulate/in the TWW, which for me was more stress too. If cycle 4 hadn't worked we were going to have a few months break so that I could get myself together. I hadn't had a depressive episode since beginning 2006 but there were some really low days towards the end of cycle 3 and into cycle 4.
That said, its worth it in the end. I would do the same thing over again, and will to conceive more little bundles down the track. I think you just need to be aware of yourself, and make sure you have a break before you reach breaking point. If you have had depression before, then you'll probably be able to sense ifn you are slipping back in, and catch it before it gets to a extreme point. Plus Clomid was only one aspect in my depression I think, and I'm not sure if I would have had symptoms so severely had I not been dealing with some other stuff as well.
Although clomid is a fantastic and effective drug it can deplete the kidney yin therefore drying the cervical fluid. I would recommend taking herbs before starting on clomid to protect the kidneys.
I concieved on cycle #2 taking 50mg from cd5-cd9, unfortunatley it ended in m/c. I concieved this baby on my 5th overall cycle of clomid 50mg but this was the first cycle i was taking it from cd2-6.
I had horrible side effects from hot flushed to mood swings and headaches, i was on my last cycle when i fell pregnant again. I didnt think i could take anymore - the mood swings were the worst, i was very unpredictable.
belle75 - don't be scared of the side-effects. you will probably start out on a low dose anyway.
i conceived my dd on my third cycle of clomid (25mg), but my problem was classed as 'secondary infertility' since i'd already had one child. i do know someone with PCOS who used it, though, and was successful on (i think) her 3rd or 4th cycle.
the main side effect i had was bloating, but that was minimal.
FF now tells me that I have ovulated this cycle!Am going to try naturally till dec and if not successful, will consider clomid in 09. I think i will use OPK's next cycle and see what happens. My other fertility signs are really difficult to read and I think I am timing BD all wrong
Belle OPKS are a good idea...... Jump onto Lullaby conceptions you can get some great OPK/pregnancy test packs for a great price... I start testing from day 10 of my cycle i do it at lunchtime, i usually get up at 7:30 wee, then i try to drink very little between then and lunch only having a small juice to take my tablets and milk on cereal and occasionally at 9:30 ill have a cup of tea, then as soon as i get home from lunch i test .. HTH!!!!!!
Also i am on my 4th cycle on clomid, 1st cycle 50gm days 2-6 i didn't ovulate this cycle, and then next 2 cycles (and this one) 100mg days 5-9, i had scan both cycles at day 14 and had 1 big follie at 16mm and then ovulated 3 days later all by myself... As for side effects i get hot flushes usually starting the 3rd day i take clomid and only at night i go from wearing flanno pjs to bed to wearing nothing, usually last up to a week really bad and then not to bad for another 3 or 4 days... I was really teary and emotional first 2 cycles crying at the drop of a hat or tearing up over nothing silly ads etc, but the last cycle saw me getting a bit grumpy and snappy my poor DH...
I wish you all the best at falling naturally and i really hope you don't have to go to clomid but know that you will be ok and that it will help ...
Last edited by janeo; October 1st, 2008 at 09:44 PM.
Hi Belle75,
the herbal formula would be made specifically for you based on your presentation. Typical Chinese herbal formulas contain anywhere from 6 to 15 herbs. Your formula would be made to ensure no interactions with any drugs you may be taking at the time. You mentioned other fertility signs being difficult to read, if i can help with these in any way let me know. Its great you're giving natural conception a bit more time, lets make the most of it!
Hi,
I also have POS, I fell pregnant on clomid first month with Britney, it took 22 months with Joshuah and fell pregnant and miscarried last June while on metoformin no clomid. This pregnancy was concieved 6 months after misscarriage and completely natural no drugs at all!
Hope this helps,
Snoopea
Hi Leasha,
Thank you heaps for your reply. It has helped me a lot. I think I was waiting to hear from someone with the anxiety point of view. I am so glad it worked out super for you. Gorgeous Jasmine is well worth it Enjoy motherhood and I hope to join you soon.
Registered User
Jack is gorgeous!!
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