OB/GYN Center Resource Guide Health Information

The OB/GYN Center

Ovulation Induction with Clomiphene

It has been determined that your ovaries are not producing an egg each month. Because you are not ovulating, it has been recommended that you consider a trial of Clomiphene treatment.

Clomiphene comes in a variety of brands as well as in generic form. Two common brand names are Clomid and Serophene. Clomiphene is generally a very safe drug; however, there are some risks to taking this drug that you should know about. There is about a 5 percent risk of a TWIN PREGNANCY in patients who are taking clomiphene. There is also a 1 percent risk of TRIPLETS. Thus, 94 percent of patients who conceive on clomiphene carry just one fetus.

Clomiphene is successful in producing ovulation in 80 percent of patients who are not ovulating. Pregnancy is achieved in 40 percent of patients who are being treated with clomiphene.

Clomiphene may also cause a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome which is where large ovarian cysts develop. The symptoms of hyperstimulation syndrome include severe abdominal pain, bloating, ovarian enlargement, and poor urine output. This complication is very rare. Some research has suggested that there may be a potential increased risk of ovarian cancer if the medication is used for extended periods of time.

Common SIDE EFFECTS include: hot flashes, visual symptoms (spots in front of the eyes), nausea, and breast tenderness. Clomiphene is NOT associated with an increase in birth defects.

The schedule for taking clomiphene is as follows:

DAY 1 - This is the first day of your menstrual period, or this is the first day you have bleeding after a period is brought on by medication such as Provera.

DAY 5 - This is the first day that you take clomiphene. The medicine is usually taken daily for five days at a time.

DAY 9 - This is the last day you will take clomiphene.

DAYS 8 - 16 - This is the most likely time that you will ovulate. It is recommended to time intercourse daily around this time of your cycle.

If you are using an ovulation kit, such as Ovu-Quick, you should time intercourse around the time of the color change with the kit. You should use the ovulation kit in the afternoon rather than in the morning. Avoid drinking a lot of fluids during the time that you are checking for ovulation, as this may dilute the urine and affect the ovulation kit results. You should restrict fluids somewhat. Plan to time intercourse on the day after the color change occurs.

DAY 21 - A progesterone test is usually taken at this time. This blood test can be drawn at the Outpatient Laboratory at Swedish Medical Center or Littleton Hospital. The laboratory at our Swedish office is located at 601 East Hampden Avenue, Suite 350, and it is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at 499 East Hampden Avenue, open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The laboratory near our Littleton office is located at Arapahoe Medical Plaza III at 7780 South Broadway, Suite 140. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30pm to5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You do not need an appointment to have this blood test. When you go to the laboratory, please tell the laboratory personnel that your doctor has asked that you obtain a SERUM PROGESTERONE LEVEL because of your diagnosis of ANOVULATION.

After we receive the results of your progesterone level, we will notify you. If the progesterone level is elevated, it suggests that you have ovulated. If you have not ovulated, there may be a need to increase your dosage of clomiphene in the next cycle.

DAY 28 - If you have conceived, you should do a home pregnancy test when you are 7 days late for your period. If your period starts on day 28 or shortly thereafter, you should contact us in order to obtain the proper dosage of clomiphene for the next cycle. You should not take another course of clomiphene until you have had a period.

This information is provided as a resource only and not intented to be a recommendation or a substitute for consultation with your physician regarding your health and needs.

e-mail: webmaster@storkreport.com - copyright 1998 The OB/GYN Center

The OB/GYN Center

		Ovulation Induction with Clomiphene
	It has been determined that your ovaries are not producing an egg each month. Because you are not ovulating, it has been recommended that you consider a trial of Clomiphene treatment. Clomiphene comes in a variety of brands as well as in generic form. Two common brand names are Clomid and Serophene. Clomiphene is generally a very safe drug; however, there are some risks to taking this drug that you should know about. There is about a 5 percent risk of a TWIN PREGNANCY in patients who are taking clomiphene. There is also a 1 percent risk of TRIPLETS. Thus, 94 percent of patients who conceive on clomiphene carry just one fetus. Clomiphene is successful in producing ovulation in 80 percent of patients who are not ovulating. Pregnancy is achieved in 40 percent of patients who are being treated with clomiphene. Clomiphene may also cause a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome which is where large ovarian cysts develop. The symptoms of hyperstimulation syndrome include severe abdominal pain, bloating, ovarian enlargement, and poor urine output. This complication is very rare. Some research has suggested that there may be a potential increased risk of ovarian cancer if the medication is used for extended periods of time. Common SIDE EFFECTS include: hot flashes, visual symptoms (spots in front of the eyes), nausea, and breast tenderness. Clomiphene is NOT associated with an increase in birth defects. The schedule for taking clomiphene is as follows: DAY 1 - This is the first day of your menstrual period, or this is the first day you have bleeding after a period is brought on by medication such as Provera. DAY 5 - This is the first day that you take clomiphene. The medicine is usually taken daily for five days at a time. DAY 9 - This is the last day you will take clomiphene. DAYS 8 - 16 - This is the most likely time that you will ovulate. It is recommended to time intercourse daily around this time of your cycle. If you are using an ovulation kit, such as Ovu-Quick, you should time intercourse around the time of the color change with the kit. You should use the ovulation kit in the afternoon rather than in the morning. Avoid drinking a lot of fluids during the time that you are checking for ovulation, as this may dilute the urine and affect the ovulation kit results. You should restrict fluids somewhat. Plan to time intercourse on the day after the color change occurs. DAY 21 - A progesterone test is usually taken at this time. This blood test can be drawn at the Outpatient Laboratory at Swedish Medical Center or Littleton Hospital. The laboratory at our Swedish office is located at 601 East Hampden Avenue, Suite 350, and it is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at 499 East Hampden Avenue, open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The laboratory near our Littleton office is located at Arapahoe Medical Plaza III at 7780 South Broadway, Suite 140. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30pm to5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You do not need an appointment to have this blood test. When you go to the laboratory, please tell the laboratory personnel that your doctor has asked that you obtain a SERUM PROGESTERONE LEVEL because of your diagnosis of ANOVULATION. After we receive the results of your progesterone level, we will notify you. If the progesterone level is elevated, it suggests that you have ovulated. If you have not ovulated, there may be a need to increase your dosage of clomiphene in the next cycle. DAY 28 - If you have conceived, you should do a home pregnancy test when you are 7 days late for your period. If your period starts on day 28 or shortly thereafter, you should contact us in order to obtain the proper dosage of clomiphene for the next cycle. You should not take another course of clomiphene until you have had a period.
	This information is provided as a resource only and not intented to be a recommendation or a substitute for consultation with your physician regarding your health and needs. e-mail: webmaster@storkreport.com - copyright 1998 The OB/GYN Center