QuestionHi, I have been on clomid on and off for almost 2 years now. At first I was on it for 11 months 150mg days 5-9. I got prego on the 11 month and had a miscarriage at 8 weeks. I stoped taking teh clomid for 3 months and had sugury to check my tubes. I then started clomid agian say days same doesage. My husband is military and we had to move so I switched Dr. The new Dr has me on 150mg of clomid days 3-7 and Avandamet 2-500mg. What are the chances this will actuly work or are we just wasteing our time? I see where everything says clomid works witin 6 months since its been 2 year should we move to something eles? I also wanted to know if my cycles would be shorter taking clomid days 3-7 then with 5-9? I had 31 days cycles on 5-9 and this is my first cycle with days 3-7. Thanks for all your help.
AnswerDear April,
Thank you for your question. You have used Clomid for way too long. We do not recommend it for more than 6 months. In addition, when you use it in consecutive months, the Clomid inhibits pregnancy by blocking too many of the estrogen receptors. This decreases your uterine lining, tubal motility and cervical mucus. End result, no pregnancy. I think that both of the doctors you have seen are not fertility specialists and misleading you. At this point, you should be moving on to a different treatment plan, such as IUI. They might try using Latrezole instead of the clomid or at least only use the Clomid every other month. I recommend no more than 4 cycles of the IUI. You should be pregnant by then. If not, then you need to move up the treatment scale to IVF.
You have been wasting your time. You should have a child by now, but this is the exact reason why many RE's don't like general OB/GYN's and Family practice docs doing infertility.
Clomid can be given either day 3-7 or 5-9. There is no difference in the result. If you want to continue trying with natural intercourse, then you might want to change to using Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-f or any of these type of injectable medications. You will need to see an infertility specialist for this higher level of medication treatment and you will need to be monitored closely to see your response and make sure you are not over-responding.
Bottom line advice, you need to go see an infertility specialist.
I hope this answers your question
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D.
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
