Clomiphene (Clomid) is used to help women who are struggling with infertility by stimulating ovulation. A health care provider typically prescribes clomiphene for women for a short course early in their menstrual cycle, usually for 5 consecutive days.

Clomiphene works by signaling your body to produce more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH encourages the ovaries to develop one or more egg follicles, while LH triggers the release of a mature egg. Ovulation generally occurs 5 to 10 days after finishing the medication. Timing intercourse during this window can increase the chances of conception.

It’s important to follow your provider’s instructions for dosage, timing, and monitoring ovulation. Your provider may recommend ultrasound checks or hormone tests to track your response and ensure the best chance of ovulation and pregnancy. Some patients may also be prescribed progesterone after ovulation as part of their fertility treatment plan.

Clomiphene (Clomid) is usually taken for 5 days in a row at the beginning of your menstrual period. Ovulation generally occurs 5 to 10 days after your last pill. Some women may conceive on the first cycle, but it can take several rounds to achieve pregnancy. A successful pregnancy also depends on multiple factors, including ovulation timing and sperm quality.

Your provider may recommend other fertility medications based on treatment results or comprehensive lab work. Another medication sometimes used to induce ovulation is letrozole, a drug originally approved for breast cancer treatment that is now commonly prescribed off-label for ovulation induction. It has become more frequently used in cases of infertility related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

There is no official BMI requirement to take clomiphene (Clomid), but body weight can affect how well it works. Higher BMI may lower ovulation and pregnancy rates, so some fertility clinics consider it with their own BMI cutoffs for certain services or medication regimens. These are practice policies rather than strict medical requirements.

Your provider will evaluate your overall health, hormone levels, and fertility goals to decide if clomiphene is right for you, and may suggest lifestyle strategies. Other hormonal factors, such as thyroid conditions, can also influence ovulation and fertility outcomes and may be evaluated alongside weight and hormone levels.

Taking more clomiphene (Clomid) than prescribed can increase the risk of clomiphene (Clomid) side effects, including hot flashes, mood swings, or abdominal discomfort. In rare cases, taking too much may trigger ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a condition that can cause severe abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and rapid weight gain.

Severe reactions, such as vision changes, heavy bleeding, or intense ovarian pain, require immediate medical attention. Always follow your provider’s dosing instructions.

Clomiphene (Clomid) is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Depending on the state, Sesame providers can write a prescription or refill an existing one through Sesame's online fertility program. If it's prescribed, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.