Clomid and Multiple Births

Clomid is an infertility medication prescribed to women in order to stimulate the release of ovulation hormones. When the female's ovaries can produce a follicle, but the hormonal stimulation is not happening, Clomid mimics the action. A woman will only be prescribed Clomid after a comprehensive medical evaluation has been performed and other forms of infertility problems have been ruled out. Taking a regimen of Clomid can increase the chances of a woman delivering multiples (multiple births).

Fertility drugs like Clomid have been available for more than 25 years and are the first line of treating ovulation-related female infertility. Being an antiestrogen medication, Clomid causes the hypothalamus to stimulate the ovaries to make eggs. The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland are responsible for regulating and normalizing ovulation, and Clomid is used to help improve the chances of conception. When a woman is taking Clomid and the ovaries can release a higher than normal number of eggs and the chances for a multiple birth is increased dramatically. It is estimated that Clomid patients have a twin pregnancy approximately 10% of the time, and during clinical trials 0.5% of pregnancies were triplets and 0.3% were quadruplets.

Though the chances for a multiple birth are a bit higher, it is impossible for a physician to determine which woman taking Clomid will conceive more than one baby. There are also other factors for women taking Clomid that could lead to a multiple birth. Using a higher dosage than recommended may increase a woman s chance of having twins. However, the downside of a higher dose of Clomid can also cause a thickening of cervical mucus which can make it more difficult to conceive at all. For a woman that has no problem ovulating or if a woman is younger than 25 years old, Clomid can also cause a twin pregnancy.

Clomid is not only used to treat infertility in women, but also as a treatment protocol for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The drug can also be used by couples that experience unexplained infertility, but that do not wish to undergo more expensive and invasive fertility treatment methods. Clomid increases ovulation in woman by 80% and approximately 40-45% of patients will become pregnant within six cycles of treatment. Clomid is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for female infertility and produces high conception rates. For women that have ovulatory problems and wish to become pregnant, Clomid can be the answer to the problem. The drug is easily tolerated, fairly priced in comparison to other infertility treatment methods and is effective in stimulating ovulation more than 75% of the time, which makes it possible for those who may have previously given up hope of ever being able to conceive.