Things to do or avoid while taking Clomid

You may have been prescribed Clomid (clomiphene) for infertility or treating low testosterone. Are there things you should do or avoid while taking Clomid? Read on.

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Clomid (clomiphene) is primarily prescribed to treat infertility in women with irregular or infrequent periods (oligoovulation), or periods where an egg is not released from the ovaries (anovulation). This can occur with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and some forms of amenorrhea. Clomid induces ovulation, increasing the woman’s chances of getting pregnant. 

Clomid is also prescribed off-label to treat infertility in men, by inducing sperm production (Mbi Feh, 2022; Walker, 2022). Because Clomid can increase serum testosterone levels, it is also prescribed off-label to men to treat hypogonadism, a condition where the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain fail to tell the testes to produce sex hormones (Delu, 2020).

As a fertility treatment, Clomid works by triggering the release of sex hormones that induce ovulation or sperm production, such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (Mbi Feh, 2022; DailyMed, 2022).

When taking Clomid, always follow the directions and your healthcare provider’s guidance. The medication should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light (DailyMed, 2022). 

How to take Clomid for female infertility

A dose of Clomid typically comes in a 50 mg tablet. To induce ovulation, Clomid is usually taken once daily by mouth for five days starting on day 5 of a woman’s menstrual cycle (Mbi Feh, 2022; DailyMed, 2022). 

Timing is key to Clomid’s effectiveness, so follow your dosing schedule exactly as directed by your healthcare provider and time sexual intercourse accordingly. Ovulation should occur five to 10 days after the day of your last Clomid pill. Use an ovulation test kit and try to take Clomid at the same time of day for each day of the treatment cycle (Mbi Feh, 2022; DailyMed, 2022).

While taking Clomid, your healthcare provider may recommend tracking your body temperature, to help you know when you are ovulating and increase your chances of getting pregnant (Mbi Feh, 2022).

When treating infertility in women, Clomid is usually only prescribed for up to six treatment cycles. 

How to take Clomid for male infertility

Clomid is prescribed off-label for male infertility, so there are no standardized dosage regimens. Your healthcare provider will determine an appropriate dosing regimen based on your personal health situation and medical history. While you take Clomid, your healthcare provider might schedule regular semen analysis tests to evaluate your sperm function and volume (Mbi Feh, 2022). 

To raise testosterone levels, healthcare providers may prescribe a daily 25 mg dose of Clomid (or half a tablet). Studies found this dose of Clomid significantly raised serum testosterone levels within four to six weeks, while other studies used treatment periods of three months or longer (Da Ros, 2012; Shabsigh, 2005).

Before taking Clomid, be sure to fill in your healthcare provider on your personal and family medical history, as well as any medications or over-the-counter supplements you are taking.

Common side effects of Clomiphene for women include (Mbi Feh, 2022; DailyMed, 2022):

• Blurred vision or blind spots

• Breast pain or tenderness

• Dizziness 

• Enlarged ovaries

• Flushing or hot flashes

• Headache

• Hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides)

• Nausea

• Pelvic pain

• Spotting or breakthrough bleeding

• Upset stomach

• Vomiting

Side effects of Clomiphene for men include (Mbi Feh, 2022; DailyMed, 2022):

• Blurred vision or blind spots

• Dizziness 

• Headache

• Hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides)

• Nausea

• Upset stomach

• Vomiting

Because Clomid can cause side effects like blurred vision or dizziness, it is safest to avoid any hazardous activity, like driving or using heavy machinery, until you know how the drug affects you. Visual symptoms usually go away within a handful of days, but report them to your healthcare provider if they last longer than that (DailyMed, 2022).

While women are limited to three to six treatment cycles, men can safely take Clomid for a longer period of time. Studies show that Clomid continues to be safe and effective for men, even for periods longer than three years. In the study, fewer than 10% of men experienced side effects (Krzastek, 2019).

Clomid and OHSS

Some women who take Clomid may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can become serious quickly. Contact your health provider immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms (DailyMed, 2022):

• Bloating

• Chest pain

• Diarrhea

• Little or no urination

• Nausea

• Rapid or irregular heart rate

• Rapid weight gain, particularly in the face and midsection

• Pain when breathing

• Severe pelvic pain or swelling

• Shortness of breath, especially when lying down

• Stomach pain

• Swelling or redness in the legs

• Vomiting

Some people should avoid taking Clomid altogether, including those with (Mbi Feh, 2022; DailyMed, 2022):

• An allergy to Clomid or the ingredients in Clomid

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Endometrial cancer 

• High triglycerides

• Liver disease or a history of liver problems

• Ovarian cysts that are not related to PCOS

• A pituitary tumor

• Thyroid or adrenal gland issues

• Uterine fibroids

Additionally, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use clomiphene (Mbi Feh, 2022). Once you become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider and stop using Clomid. 

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Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

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Current version

October 11, 2022

Written by

Amelia Willson

Fact checked by

Felix Gussone, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Felix Gussone, MD, Ro

Felix Gussone is a physician, health journalist and a Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.