Clomiphene (Clomid) is a simple pill that can trigger ovulation and has helped many people get pregnant when cycles were irregular or absent. It blocks estrogen receptors in the brain, which tricks the body into raising follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), leading the ovaries to mature eggs. Doctors typically give it for five days early in the cycle—most common is 50 mg once daily from cycle day 3 to 7—but dosing can change based on response. If ovulation doesn't happen, providers may raise the dose to 100 mg or more, and they often monitor with blood tests or ultrasound.
What you should expect: ovulation usually occurs 5–10 days after the last tablet, and an ovulation predictor kit or ultrasound can confirm it. Side effects are common but usually mild: hot flashes, mood swings, breast tenderness, nausea, and sometimes headaches. Less common risks include visual disturbances and ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS), so report blurred vision or severe abdominal pain right away. Clomiphene can slightly raise the chance of twins—roughly 5–10% higher than natural conception—so discuss multiple pregnancy risks with your clinician.
Before starting, ask for a brief fertility workup: TSH, prolactin, and an ovarian reserve check or semen analysis for your partner. That helps target treatment. Use ovulation predictor kits and track basal body temperature to time intercourse or insemination. Most doctors recommend limiting clomiphene cycles to six months if pregnancy doesn't occur, because long-term benefit drops and alternatives may work better. Keep communication open with your provider—regular checks lower risks and improve outcomes.
Letrozole (Femara) is often used instead of clomiphene for ovulation induction; recent trials show it may produce higher live birth rates for some women with PCOS. Injectable gonadotropins are more aggressive options when oral pills don’t work but require closer monitoring. If you want to try lifestyle changes first, focus on weight management, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and correcting vitamin D or thyroid issues—these can boost ovulation in many people. Our related article covers specific natural strategies if you prefer non-drug routes.
Clomiphene is also prescribed off-label in men to raise testosterone by stimulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Doses and monitoring differ, so don’t self-prescribe. Always review side effects and interactions with any current medications.
Bottom line: clomiphene is a low-cost, widely used option to induce ovulation. It works well for many, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all fix. Talk to a fertility specialist about baseline tests, the right dose, and when to switch to other treatments.
Timing matters: aim intercourse every other day starting two days before the expected ovulation window and for three days after to maximise chances. Take a pregnancy test no earlier than the day a period is due; false negatives happen if tested too soon. If you get persistent irregular bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or visual changes, stop the drug and call your clinic. Keep a simple cycle chart and bring it to appointments—clear records help your provider tweak treatment fast. Ask questions openly.
A significant study funded by NICHD compared the effectiveness of letrozole, clomiphene, and gonadotropins in treating unexplained infertility among 900 couples. The findings indicated that letrozole, often a breast cancer drug, outperformed clomiphene, especially for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Conception rates with gonadotropins were higher but had greater risks, including multiple pregnancies.
© 2025. All rights reserved.
