Clomid or Letrozole

You are starting a medication called Clomid which is designed to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs in a regular monthly pattern. Your doctor is using this drug because you do not appear to be ovulating regularly. Clomid is considered quite safe for use by most women. It should only be taken as described here and only while your doctor is monitoring your response to the drug. It is very important that you are taking prenatal vitamins or a supplement with at least 400 micrograms, mcg (0.4 milligrams, mg) of folic acid. Most prenatal vitamins have 800 to 1000 mcg.

Clomid is usually prescribed in 50 mg doses to start. Sometimes your dose will have to be increased or decreased based on your response. The most worrisome side effect of the drug is an exaggerated response which results in swollen, painful ovaries. This can lead to twisting of the ovary or leakage of fluid from the ovary. Your doctor will monitor you for this. You should also know that patients on Clomid have a twin rate of approximately 10%, almost 5 times the usual rate.

The list below describes the sequence of events that you should follow carefully. It is helpful to mark your calendar on the day your period starts, then count the number of days from there to pinpoint the “cycle day”.