Clomid

Description

DATA SHEET

What is Clomid?

Clomid is the commonly referenced brand name for the drug clomiphene citrate. It is not an anabolic steroid, but a prescription drug generally prescribed to women as a fertility aid. This is due to the fact that clomiphene citrate shows a pronounced ability to stimulate ovulation. This is accomplished by blocking/minimizing the effects of estrogen in the body. To be more specific Clomid is chemically a synthetic estrogen with both agonist/antagonist properties, and is very similar in structure and action to Nolvadex.

* Clomid is also an estrogen that works very well as an anti-estrogen.

* Clomid cuts down on the risks of AAS side effects such as gynocomastia.

Clomiphene citrate comes in 50-mg tablets that are taken on days 5-9 of your cycle or, less typically, on days 4-8 or 3-7. There is some preliminary research that indicates that an earlier start date may result in more pregnancies, but most gynecologists continue to prescribe it for days 5-9. One recent study (Biljan et al, cited below) actually tried prescribing Clomid on cycle days 1-5. While none of the participants in their day 5-9 group resulted in pregnancy, 24 percent of the women who took Clomid on days 1-5 were able to conceive.

Daily doses range from 50 mg to 200 mg. A few doctors will prescribe as much 250 mg per day, but this is rare and goes against manufacturer’s suggestions. The Merck Manual, a reputable sourcebook for health care professionals, suggests no more than 150 mg per day.

Clomid works by affecting the hormonal chain reactions that regulate the process of ovulation. At the start of each menstrual cycle, the hypothalamus (a gland in the brain) sends gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. The pituitary then releases another hormone–follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)–that signals your ovaries to step up their production of the hormone estrogen. Clomid binds to receptors in the brain so that your brain can’t perceive that your ovaries are making estrogen. Because your brain thinks your ovaries aren’t making estrogen, it continues making more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The FSH signals your ovaries to step up the production of more estrogen, causing your estrogen levels to rise higher than they normally would and to remain high for longer than usual. Higher estrogen levels for a longer period of time will cause more eggs to be ovulated with no guarantee that those eggs are viable.