Clomid Treatment: How It Works and What to Expect

Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is a common prescription pill used to trigger ovulation. If your doctor says you aren’t ovulating regularly, Clomid is often the first drug they try. It’s cheap, taken by mouth, and many people like that it avoids injections. Still, it has rules: timing, monitoring, and clear limits on how long to use it.

How Clomid works and typical dosing

Clomid tricks your brain into thinking estrogen is low, which raises the hormones that tell the ovaries to grow eggs. The usual starting dose is 50 mg once daily for five days, commonly given on cycle days 3–5 or 5–9. If you don’t ovulate, doctors may raise the dose to 100 mg for another cycle. Most providers don’t go beyond 150 mg. People usually try up to six treatment cycles before changing strategy.

Expect ovulation about 5–10 days after the last pill in many cases. Clinics often suggest timing intercourse or insemination around that window. For monitoring, doctors may use blood tests for progesterone or pelvic ultrasound to confirm follicles and ovulation.

Benefits, success rates, and common alternatives

Clomid makes many people ovulate — roughly 60–80% do, depending on the cause of infertility. Pregnancy rates per cycle are lower, commonly around 10–15% in many groups. For people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) has become a strong alternative and sometimes works better. If oral meds don’t help, injectable hormones or assisted methods like IUI or IVF are next steps.

Side effects are usually mild: hot flashes, mood swings, breast tenderness, headaches, and nausea. A small number report visual changes — if that happens, stop treatment and call your doctor. There’s also a higher chance of twins or multiples with Clomid (about 5–8% for twins in typical reports). Rare but serious is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); watch for sudden pelvic pain, rapid weight gain, or breathing trouble and get urgent care if those occur.

Safety tips: take Clomid only with a prescription and follow your clinic’s monitoring plan. Don’t extend cycles on your own or combine fertility drugs without guidance. If you’re over 35, have irregular cycles, or a partner with fertility issues, talk to your doctor about testing and whether a different approach fits better.

Buying medication online can save money, but use licensed pharmacies and check that a prescription is required. If a site sells Clomid without asking for a prescription, that’s a red flag. Discuss any cost concerns with your provider — clinics sometimes have lower-cost options or samples to help.

Clomid is simple and effective for many people, but it works best with clear timing and medical follow-up. If you’re thinking about treatment, make an appointment, bring questions, and ask how your care will be tracked so you get results safely.