Fertility treatment with Clomid

Treatments for fertility, especially Clomid, are really in their ‘infancy’. It’s very common to find variations in the exact routines followed by health professionals in different health authorities.

Usually a woman will start Clomid 50mgs to stimulate ovulation, and the dose may be increased gradually if this dose isn?t shown to promote ovulation. The simplest way to see whether an ovulation has taken place is to measure the blood progesterone level around the 21st day of the cycle. This test isn?t done to predict maximum fertility, as this has passed by day 21. It is simply a way of assessing the effectiveness of any dose of Clomid. The main purpose of ultrasound is to check that the ovaries aren?t being over-stimulated by the Clomid. It will also show whether ovulation has occurred, but this isn?t its primary purpose. Ultrasound doesn?t need to be done every month to check for over-stimulation, and the availability varies from area to area.

To find out when you're fertile you can buy an ovulation predictor kit which tests for LH (Lutenising Hormone) in your urine.This hormone increases as ovulation approaches and the test will tell you that ovulation is likely to happen in the next 24-36 hours. The kits don't predict the precise moment of ovulation.

Alternatively, you can watch for other signs and symptoms in your monthly cycle. You'll find these listed in our article considering conception.