A Natural Alternative to Clomid
Doctors are quick to tell women with PCOS that getting pregnant naturally is nearly impossible and that they will require medical interventions to conceive.
If you just read that sentence and felt anxiety, take a breath because I was told the same thing too and I got pregnant naturally. Want to know how I got pregnant with PCOS? Then check out this post about how I got pregnant with PCOS naturally and in 2 months.
When a woman with PCOS has trouble getting pregnant, the first-line of treatment that doctors will prescribe is the drug Clomid. While Clomid has shown to help some women with PCOS become pregnant, it does come with it side effects.
If Clomid has come up in discussion as an option for you, please read this article first before deciding to do anything. Knowledge is power! Whatever you decide to do should be up to you and your healthcare provider. I think it is important to know all of the pros and cons before starting any type of treatment.
Understanding Clomid
What is Clomid?
Clomid is an oral medication that is usually the first drug that doctors will prescribe if you are having trouble trying to conceive. The drug also known as clomiphene basically stimulates ovulation. With that being said, it can stimulate multiple follicles which means you have a greater chance of having multiples. That is important to keep in mind.
Clomid is typically given to women who have irregular or absent menstrual cycles.
It is necessary to mention that Clomid isn’t effective for those women who don’t ovulate due to low body weight or hypothalamic amenorrhea, if you have pelvic lesions, tubal disease, or endometriosis.
How is Clomid taken?
Clomid is taken for 5 consecutive days during the beginning part of your menstrual cycle (usually cycle days 3-7). The dosing depends on the individual but it can be anywhere from one to three pills a day ( each pill is 50 mg).
Following the completion of Clomid, ovulation will typically occur 7-8 days following treatment.
Most doctors will want you to come into the office to run blood work and to evaluate your hormone levels. Some doctors will perform a trans-vaginal ultrasound to look at the follicles to confirm ovulation. The doctor will tell you when you can expect to ovulate and when to time intercourse.
Each round of Clomid taken is referred to as a cycle. A lot of doctors don’t recommend doing more than 3 to 6 cycles of Clomid. But again this is up to the doctor and what they think is best for you and your situation.
Clomid has about a 10% pregnancy rate per cycle.
Clomid Side Effects
Clomid also has some nasty side effects. It can cause:
enlarged ovaries
pain and bloating in the abdomen/pelvis
weight gain
vision changes
headaches
nausea
mood swings
hot flashes
difficulty sleeping
mid-cycle spotting
heavy menstrual bleeding
thin the endometrial lining which reduces the amount of fertile mucus
the drug increases the chance of multiples which can drastically elevate the chances of complications during pregnancy.
It is also important to note, that your insurance company may not cover the cost of Clomid because it is considered a fertility treatment which can be viewed by insurance as an elective procedure. It is best to review your individual policy before diving into medical debt.
Most women with PCOS can conceive naturally if they fix the root of the problem.
The problem that needs to be addressed is why aren’t you ovulating?
Your doctor should be doing a complete workup on you to figure out the issue.
Is the reason you’re not ovulating because you’re insulin resistant, your thyroid is out of balance, you have endometriosis, poor egg quality or reserve, an autoimmune disorder?
If you can get answers here, it is much easier to fix the problem naturally with a little time and effort. And if you do need an intervention, there are natural ways to start ovulation first.
Clomid will not fix your underlying problem. It is a band-aid if you will. If you want to restore your fertility you MUST find out the reason you are having trouble getting pregnant.
RELATED: 5 Things You Must Do Before Trying To Get Pregnant
A Natural Alternative to Clomid
Black Cohosh is an herb that is from the Ranunculaceae family and is native to North America. Some people consider black cohosh to be an herbal equivalent to Clomid. So there is no surprise that studies are examining black cohosh for fertility.
This study looked at black cohosh vs. clomid. A 100 Egyptian women with PCOS were split into 2 groups. Half of the women received 100 mg/day of clomid for 5 days. The other half received 40 mg/day of black cohosh for 10 days. At the start of the study, both groups were similar in their FSH/LH ratio.
The results showed that the women who took the black cohosh had a greater reduction in the LH level and FSH/LH ratio. A reduction in LH in women with PCOS is associated with better ovulation and implantation rates. These women also had significantly greater progesterone levels and endometrial thickness. Accordingly, the black cohosh group had a higher pregnancy rate than the clomiphene group (7 and 4 pregnancies, respectively); however, the difference was not statistically significant.
The Clomid substitute black cohosh is very strong and can have numerous drug interactions and should never be used by anyone with poor liver function. It should never be used without direct supervision from a physician. If you are interested in trying black cohosh for fertility instead of Clomid, please discuss it with your doctor first.
To save you valuable time, stress, and anxiety, I have put together a complete list of all the things you should avoid during your pregnancy to keep your little one as safe as mine (without having to spend your precious energy scouring for the information).
Clomid vs. Black Cohosh
Which is the right option?
The chief takeaway should be why you aren’t ovulating and what can be done about it.
It is important to be an active participant in your care and to discuss options with your doctor. You should never be forced into doing something that you are not comfortable with. And when it comes to big health decisions, I think it is always wise to get a second opinion.
Clomid isn’t the end-all-be-all. The over the counter Clomid substitute black cohosh may work better and comes with less adverse reactions.
Whatever decision you make, just make sure you understand the benefits and risks.
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