Clomiphene Citrate

Clomiphene citrate (trade names Serophene, Clomid) is an oral medication that is used to induce ovulation. It acts at the level of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (in the brain) to stimulate the release of several hormones (FSH and LH) that stimulate ovulation. It is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction in women who are desiring pregnancy. Clomiphene is used empirically by many fertility specialists to treat infertile women who are already ovulating, although the FDA has not approved it for this indication. Women with unexplained infertility, endometriosis or mild male factor infertility are sometimes given clomiphene to stimulate them to produce more than one egg. When used for this purpose, clomiphene is often combined with intrauterine inseminations (IUI).

Clomiphene is a very safe drug and it has been used in this country for over 30 years. However, like any drug it does have some side effects. Women frequently experience hot flashes while taking clomiphene. This is due to the “anti-estrogen” effect of this drug. Other side effects include breast tenderness, nausea/vomiting, mood changes, headaches and ovarian cyst development. Visual disturbances are rare with clomiphene, but if they occur it is usually wise to stop taking the drug. Clomiphene can also cause the lining of your uterus (endometrium) to become thin and it can thicken your cervical mucus. This can have an adverse effect on fertility. You will be monitored for these side effects while taking clomiphene. There currently is no evidence that taking clomiphene increases your risk of developing any type of cancer.

Women who get pregnant while taking clomiphene have an increased risk of multiple births. The risk is approximately 10%. The majority of these multiples are twins, with less than 1% of them being triplets or higher.