Trouble Conceiving? Understanding Ovulation Issues & Clomiphene Use

Question
I am 30 and my husband is 40. We have been trying on and off for over a year to get pregnant. Last year in my 3 month attempt I used ovulation tests. After 2 months of not getting a positive I then tested the entire 3rd month with all negatives. My periods are regular but generally light and short (3-4 days). I consulted my OBGYN and she put me on Clomiphene which I just used 3 weeks ago along with estrogen, however, I still could not get a positive with the ovulation tests (I followed the timeline I was given and did 10 tests). Does this seem like anovulation? My OBGYN was going to up the dosage of Clomiphene but was hesitant because I am prone to cysts. Do you have any suggestions or advice. I dont know how much more I can do with treatment as my insurance wont cover anything. Thanks.

Answer
Dear Carol,

Most women go through 3-6 cycles of treatment at the most (it can take a month or two of clomiphene therapy for you to start ovulating regularly). Your chance of getting pregnant doesn't improve if you take the drug longer, so if you don't succeed after three cycles, your doctor may increase the dosage or suggest another treatment.

If you have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and this treatment doesn't seem to work for you, your doctor may also prescribe metformin, an insulin-sensitizing drug that can help you respond to clomiphene.

Although ovarian cysts, can be a side effect of clomiphene, it is a more rare side effect. The more common side effects would be: mild swelling of the ovaries, stomach pain, breast tenderness, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, irritability, depression, and weight gain.

These fertility drugs are quite successful at stimulating ovulation: About 80% of women will ovulate, usually within the first 3 months of treatment. Of those who ovulate, 40% get pregnant (the wide range is due to all the other factors affecting pregnancy, from your age to the speed and agility of your partner's sperm).

I hope this information has helped you and answered your questions. I wish you well.

Brenda