Hi, I have some curiosity questions regarding clomid.
1) clomid is supposed to cause your ovaries to produce and release eggs correct?
Assuming question number one is correct,:
2) Once you stop taking clomid, does your body stop producing eggs?
3) Does clomid cause the body to produce only the egg(s) it will release at once, or will it cause the production of many eggs that are released over time much like a normal operating female reproductive system?
4) Since the body has now produced eggs, they are not degraded in quality correct? Also, how does the quality relate to an egg that is released in a womans 20's? Is the egg better than any eggs released in older age, but not as good as an egg naturally released in the 20's (does that make since?)?
5) Even if a woman is releasing eggs and shows no real problem with her fertility or ability to conceive (minus the occasional MC), is clomid a possible solution to maintaining high quality eggs in an effort to ward off the effects of age on naturally existing eggs?
6) Does clomid have an increased risk of causing multiple eggs to be created and released? If so, how significant an increase of giving birth to twins or more?
I realize there are a lot of questions here but if anyone is willing or able to answer them I would greatly appreciate it. I realize that some of the answers or scenarios are contingent upon a doctors willingness to treat, etc. My questions stem from curiosity only at this time.
Maybe I can answer one or some of your questions... I'm no expert though.
1. Clomid tricks your brain into thinkint the body isn't producing enough estrogen, therefore it kicks into overdrive and produces more so the follies mature and eggs form. I am pretty sure it doesn't make the eggs release. The LH surge that you have when the eggs are mature make them release. I produced good sized follies on clomid by CD14, but did NOT ovulate until CD23 and my eggs were old and not good quality. You can use an HCG trigger shot such as Ovidrel, Novarel, Pregnyl... etc to ensure you ovulate while the eggs are still good quality.
2.I don't think you all of a sudden stop producing eggs. Clomid stays in the system for almost 8 weeks (depending on how your body metabolizes it) after you take your last pill. So you could see the effects from clomid for two cycles. Eventually though I would think that you would return to the way your body was before.
3. Clomid will only produce one months worth of eggs. it will only work in that one month of cycle. Once you ovulate, the eggs deteriorate on the ovary that does NOT release (unless you have a trigger) and the follies shrink back down to normal size. They start the whole process over again the next cycle.
4. I don't know about the egg quality. I know that there are drugs that can have a really good effect on egg quality, but you are born with all the eggs you will ever have. I think that is why age plays a big part in fertility. Your eggs are only in their 20's when you are.
5. again I don't know about age, but I do know that I was prescribed Clomid to help with my egg quality. My issue was that even though I produced eggs, they would be retained in my ovaries and not ovulate. The quality deterioriates rapidly if they are not ovulated. Clomid is also prescribed to women who have progesterone problems, that can cause the eggs not to be able to implant properly, and the luteal phase to be short.
6.Clomid is a leading cause of the uprise of multiple births. Mostly twins with some triplets. I think the percentage is some 10% greater chance of Twins with clomid. I "Think" in a normal woman there is always more than one follicle present. But normally there is only one egg that matures and releases. With clomid, because it is causing the LH to be produced more it helps the follicles mature and can cause more than one to be released at a time. I still think though that only one ovary releases at a time, unless you have a trigger. (i'm not sure on that thouth) That being said though if there is two eggs present on that one side, your chances for twins goes up dramatically upon fertilization.
Just want to say, I'm no expert. I've done tons and tons of research and this is mostly stuff I've dug up online.
Again, I'm no expert, but this is my understanding.
1. Clomid can help some women ovulate. It does not work in all women and the dosage required may have to be increased for each cycle that it doesn't work on. Some women will never have success with it. I never conceived on it, although I did O.
2. You can still O after going off it. I conceived 3 months after stopping taking it 10 years ago. I had an early m/c.
4. I don't think it does anything differently to how your body does it, it just gives you a helping hand if you require it.
5. Clomid can help sustain an early pregnancy and some FS use it that way for women who have had a m/c or two even though they are ovulating.
6. It does increase your chances of twins and triplets so if you are only looking at having 1 baby I wouldn't suggest you use it. As you get older (35 onwards) the chances of multiple pregnancy is also higher (as more eggs are likely to be released as you head towards menopause) and adding clomid to the mix puts the risk even higher.
Yes, thank you. I think I had been under the impression tat clomid helped produce eggs, but it sounds like it simply helps in the release and timing of your body's cycle.
Hi Dustmite: yeah, CLomid is really only used as an ovulation induction medication, which just means it helps the body develop mature eggs.
E.g. I'm using Clomid as my body doesn't produce enough of a hormone that helps the eggs to mature. So instead of ovulating, I end up with underdeveloped eggs which are not released, which turn into cysts. Taking Clomid will give me those hormones to mature the egg. I also have to have a HCG (ovidrel) injection to stimulate the release of the egg.
Clomid has success in the First month a LOT of times. I don't really think it takes 3 months to become effective. on the contrary, the side effects could possibly outweigh the benefits because clomid builds up in your body and can harm lining, CM, and lots of other things that are needed for good fertility.
Agree, they say that if you don't fall pregnant within 2-3 cycles on clomid then more than likely it won't help you to fall pregnant. Of course, some women do go on to take clomid for many many months and fall pregnant, but usually the underlying issue that makes you need clomid is what prevents you falling if you don't fall within those 2-3 months. I have just stopped clomid after taking it for 4 consecutive cycles (I do O on my own) so will be interesting to see how and if my cycle is affected this month (although it felt like I just went back to my normal O time of CD13, where as I O'd around CD15 on clomid - AF due next week, so won't know for sure until then as I'm taking a break from charting this month to save my sanity!).
Most of your questions have been answered but I thought I would add my 2c. I conceived our daughter on 4th cycle (stillbirth was not related to clomid) and our son on 6th (and last) cycle. Pregnancy can be achieved on a first cycle but there is still only about a 25% chance of getting pregnant each cycle anyway (even if you don't need the assistance of drugs!!)
1) clomid is supposed to cause your ovaries to produce and release eggs correct? Clomid is an ovulation induction drug. It tricks the brain into thinking there are not enough hormones being produced to effectively ovulate so the pituitary gland increases the production - I think it is primarily progesterone which is the hormone measured on the day 21 test to see if you have ovulated or not. It is the reason why you get the hot flushes, hormonal stuff on it - mega PMS and feeling like you are experiencing menopause all in one
Assuming question number one is correct,:
2) Once you stop taking clomid, does your body stop producing eggs?No. Not if you were producing them before. I was producing eggs but I had a less than effective ovulation. My gynae said - you ovulate, just not well!! That is, my progesterone was a little low but I had all the signs of ovulation with CM etc.
3) Does clomid cause the body to produce only the egg(s) it will release at once, or will it cause the production of many eggs that are released over time much like a normal operating female reproductive system?I believe that most *normal* cycles more than one follicle starts to develop but only one (usually) matures and releases. Clomid assists in the maturation of the developing follicles. You, generally, don't have the issues of hyperstimulation like other injectable ovulation induction drugs but you do get some bloating / fullness and pelvic tenderness. You may get more follicles getting to the bigger size but generally you will still only get the release of the dominant follicle.
4) Since the body has now produced eggs, they are not degraded in quality correct? It depends - some people have poor egg quality and, to my knowledge, clomid cannot change the quality of the egg but the level of maturation and hormone levels to enable fertilisation and implantation. Also, how does the quality relate to an egg that is released in a womans 20's? Is the egg better than any eggs released in older age, but not as good as an egg naturally released in the 20's (does that make since?)?I don't think it changes the quality in that way. Just the hormones related to maturation, fertilisation and implantation. Progesterone is often implicated in early losses and this hormone level is generally improved with clomid.
5) Even if a woman is releasing eggs and shows no real problem with her fertility or ability to conceive (minus the occasional MC), is clomid a possible solution to maintaining high quality eggs in an effort to ward off the effects of age on naturally existing eggs?I don't believe so. If you ovulate effectively then clomid is of no benefit to improving the chance of pregnancy occurring.
6) Does clomid have an increased risk of causing multiple eggs to be created and released? If so, how significant an increase of giving birth to twins or more? Clomid increases the maturation of the developing follicles and can result in more than one egg being released at ovulation. Rates of multiple births (usually twins - however if you have a family history of identical twins with the splitting of the single egg your chances would increase again!!) is between 8-10%
Wow, thank you. I think those questions were mine, but its been a long time so I am not sure...they just sound like it so i will take the credit for them and thank you for taking the time ti break it down like that.
Thank you all for putting in your knowledge and thoughts.
hi you can try looking on web md you just have to find the drug info button . it does say you could have multi baby ( twins, etc) i have to start taking it in three months . as for me my body thinks im pergent already but im not. weird huh? so try going to those web sites to get more info
good luck!
Last edited by Phteven; April 16th, 2009 at 09:31 PM.
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