I have just finished my first month of Clomid and I had some reactions - mood swings, lightheadedness. My doc says I should continue taking it for at least another 2 - 5 months before moving on. Is it safe to stay on Clomid that long?

picci - 04 August 2008 10:29 AM

I have just finished my first month of Clomid and I had some reactions - mood swings, lightheadedness. My doc says I should continue taking it for at least another 2 - 5 months before moving on. Is it safe to stay on Clomid that long?

Dear Picci

Try drinking lots of water - 8 to 10, 8 oz glasses of fluid a day. That may help with the symptoms. If you have any problems with your eyes while you are taking clomid, you should not continue.

If your symptoms are mild it is ok to continue. The number of cycles depends upon why you are taking clomid, how well it is working and your age and other history.

I would recommend a full evaluation before continuing. You should have an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) to check your uterus and tubes and your partner should have a semen analysis. If your tubes are open and the sperm is ok, then it may be ok to continue.

If you are using clomid because you have PCOS, and you are under 35 years old, and the clomid is causing you to ovulate, then up to 6 months may be reasonable. If you are using clomid and you ovulate on your own, then you should not use this treatment for more than 4 cycles. In addition, clomid can dry up the cervical mucus and should be used with IUI (intrauterine insemination) so that the sperm can get past the thick cervical mucus. If you ovulate on your own and you are over 32 years old, clomid has very limited efficacy and you may want to consider seeing a specialist and attempting more aggressive treatment.

There are many other factors to consider, but these are the most critical ones. Hope this helps
Best of luck,
Serena H. Chen, MD
IRMS at Saint Barnabas

Newbie, not sure if you are still lurking...but, I started off on 100mg of clomid with my RE.  The first month, my side effects were harsh to the point where I did not want to continue another month.  Well, once I refreshed my memory on my main goal of becoming a Mom, I knew I had to try again at whatever price (I did get a -HPT). Let me tell ya, the second time/round was completely different, and totally less intense on S/E’s.  Hope that helps.  Best of luck.  Please let us know if you became preggo!

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