pcos- clomid

[jredge]

I have been told by a few people with pcos that clomid is good to use to help conception.
I have had a laperoscopy but my surgeon hasn't mentioned medication just ivf.
They will only fund ivf when your 25 and im not 24 until january and have been trying for a baby for over 3 yrs so would like to know how many people have found clomid successful so that I have a good case to argue with at my next appointment.

[Cordy]

I know a lot of women with pcos who have got pregnant by using clomid.
Here's a bit of info for you...

The most common fertility drug is called Clomiphene Citrate, which is successful in inducing ovulation in around 80% of cases, and in achieving pregnancy in around 40-50% of cases. Clomiphene works by kick starting the hormonal system into stimulating an egg to grow. It is taken daily as a tablet for five days from the second day of your menstrual period. If you do not usually have periods, then a period will be induced first using progesterone therapy. The development of the egg follicles in the ovaries should then be closely monitored using ultrasound scanning and blood tests, to maximize the chance of pregnancy and to minimize any risks. Blood tests are normally done on Day 21, to confirm ovulation has taken place.

There are some side effects and risks with clomiphene which should be discussed and understood before going ahead with treatment. Side effects can include hot flushes, nausea, headache, dizziness and blurred vision. However these side effects usually only tend to occur with high doses and longer duration's of treatment.
The main risks associated with clomiphene are multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
The risk of multiple pregnancy (usually twins) is about 10%. OHSS is a potentially serious but rare condition which occurs when too many follicles grow and the ovaries become enlarged. Women with pcos are at greater risk of developing OHSS, than others, although the risk is still quite low at 1-2%. When the likelihood of either of these is detected by ultrasound doctors will usually stop the treatment.

Most women who are going to respond to clomiphene treatment tend to ovulate after the first course. If ovulation has not occurred after three courses, then it is recommended that treatment be discontinued as the success rate diminishes with each course of treatment. For those who do ovulate, if pregnancy has not been achieved after 3-6 months of treatment, then it is recommended that treatment is ceased. Use for longer than 6 months is not recommended because of a possible increased risk of ovarian cancer- this is not right and should be changed. The chance of getting pregnant declines after 6 months of treatment and therapy is rarely continued for more than 9 months. If pregnancy has not occurred it is time to consider assisted conception treatments. There have been reports of an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women treated with clomiphene for more than 12 months, although the risks are quite small.


Jools Oliver (Jamie Olivers wife) concieved using clomid.

This is the problem with pcos, there isn't enough research going on or info out there for us!

Go and speak to your doctor about seeing if you can try this, or if he/she has any other ideas to try before ivf.
I have PCOS and it took us around 2 and a half years to concieve our baby. It can happen!

[jredge]

thanx for all of that information I will definately be telling me doctor that I want to try other things before ivf, as ivf would be a last resort and you only get 1 round on the nhs and I have already been told the chances of that working are 22-30%. Which is very low if I try that without anything first and it doesn't work I don't know how i'd cope as we have been trying for over 3 yrs.