QuestionI'm on Harmone pills for the last 4 months, named "CLOMIPHENE". Each month 10 tables from Cycle Day 5 to Cycle Day 9. The purpose is to produce more than 1 egg in a month.
My friend told me that the Harmone Pills can't eat more than 6 months continuously. If i would like to eat again, then i have to stop for few months first.
Is that true ? Any side effect if i eat more than 6 months ?
AnswerHello,
I presume that by "eat" you mean "take" the pills. Clomiphene works by blocking the estrogen receptors. If you take it continuously for too many times, all the receptors will be blocked and this will prevent pregnancy (estrogen receptors are required in order to become pregnant). For that reason, it is not recommended that you take the tablets every month. You can take them alternating months. That is, every other month and that will prevent this problem. The total amount of time that you take them is not that important, however, I would not recommend them for more than 4 cycles (months) if you don't get pregnant. That means that something else is the problem or the pills are not helping.
Also, when you take this medication, you should be monitored each month by ultrasound to see (1) if you are responding to that particular dose of medication (2( how many follicles you are growing (you don't want more than 3) (3) when you are going to ovulate. If your doctor is not doing this, then you are seeing the wrong doctor and at risk for too many babies.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
