Question for those using clomid

I know clomid helps you ovulate, but are any of you taking clomid even though you ovulate on your own?

I've never tried any fertility meds. Did 4 unmedicated cycles of IUIs in the beginning of the year, and nothing. Then got pregnant on my own a few months later, but had a miscarriage (my second) in September.

When I did do IUIs, I was told that since my cycles are regular and I ovulate on my own, I didn't need any fertility meds. But it seems like so many on here are using clomid or other fertility meds, so I was just curious if you all need it to ovulate, or if you take it for some other reason.

[Helen72]

I ovulate on my own but took clomid because I had a somewhat short LP.  Clomid helped with that.  Also my doc said that clomid may help you to produce more than one follicle and thus increase your chances.  

I am planning on doing my first IUI w/o any meds.  Did your RE tell you what are the chances of success?  I feel sceptical since everyone else is taking injectables+trigger with IUI.  What do you think?

[Heather5]

I know, it does seem like everyone (else) is on some type of meds when doing IUIs. That's one of the reasons I was wondering...

As for the success rate w/o meds, I'm not really sure. The ER didn't really say anything about that. I tried to look at their website right now, but they only have IVF stats. I have heard a lot of IUI success stories though...

[LJ307]

I ovulate on my own, but am taking Clomid for two reasons, my age (42yrs old) and I have irregular cycles.  Clomid helps to regulate them.   I guess the 1st question is why are you having IUI's?  Is there a fertility problem on your end or with dh?   If you have fertility issues relating to ovulation or follicle size, Clomid can help with that.  But, I have learned that having monitored ultra sounds of your follicles and then having a trigger shot just prior to IUI makes the chances all the greater.  Having the injectables and triggers shot are important because it is so hard to determine exactly when that egg is gonna drop and and IUI is one shot/try. The trigger sort of gives the egg the extra push out of the ovary.

cd 8?  But, who's counting?   (-:

[Heather5]

Well, I'm not doing IUIs anymore. I did in the beginning of the year, because it had been a year since my first miscarriage, and we hadn't gotten pregnant on our own, so my obgyn suggested I see a specialist. So we did, and that's when we did the IUIs. After four, however, with no success, our insurance changed. And now we don't have any coverage for fertility related costs...not even for diagnostic tests. So everything will be out of pocket. That's when we decided to take a break, got pregnant on our own a few months after that...but had another miscarriage in September.

So now I'm back trying on my own again. It's just a bit frustrating, because the first time it took a year to get pregnant, and after the first miscarriage, it took another 14 months to get pregnant again. So I'm just trying to figure out if I should try something else to increase my chances.

BTW, thanks to both of you for answering my post!

[Helen72]

All IUI success stories involve injectables or clomid+trigger.  I had a post a while back about IUI w/o meds and noone besically responded.  

Clomid can improve your chances but you have to be monitored for potential ovarian cysts.  Also note that long-term use can thin your lining.  My doc never did any u/s when I was taking clomid so I have no idea how many follicles I had and how I responded.  Many ladies on this forum had 2-3 mature follicles with 50-100 mg of clomid.  I think that it is an effective and affordable drug.  I hope it works for you!!!!

[Heather5]

Thanks, Helen! I might ask my obgyn or go back to the RE I saw earlier this year and see if they'll let me try clomid. But I think that'll have to be after Christmas...  :-)

Good luck on your IUI! Have you been seeing your RE for a while, or are you a new patient there?

[HeathJo]

Hi--I am on my secon month taking Clomid. I have ovulated on my own in the past, but not every period. Plus, my periods are irregular from time to time, and this year (at age 36) I went 5 months without having one, which is when I learned I would need help TTC.

If you are over 35. I would ask for Clomid and monitored ultrasounds. I find it very negligable that your former IUIs were not monitored and no trigger shots were used for proper timing. I would switch docs (if you haven't already) so you don't have to go through these procedures without complete treatment.

Take Care, Heather Jo (go Heathers!)

[tina1111]

I have always o'd on my own. I take it to produce more follicles to increase my chances. Also, due to age. I take it cd2-6. I did get a bfp on 2nd round, but it didn't stick.

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I O on my own and I'm taking 150MG clomid to help my odds.  And maybe I can produce better eggs.  I got a BFP on round 3 in Aug. it was a MC but I'm currently on round 1 after my MC and I'm 5DPO

[hope1977]

I took a month of chlomid. I have irregulatr periods, some months 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38. But my doctor says that they are regular. I had been trying for 2- 3 years to get pregnant. Finally, I bought the Chlomid on my own from another country and got pregnant the first month. I miscarried, this was my first pregnancy. I am trying again. maybe I should of waited another month. But I waited so long, That I do not want to wait anymore.

[shesherm]

I O'd on my own and got PG after only bieng off pill for a few months but it ended in MC then I didnt get pg for some time and my NEW DR put me on clomid to increase my chances.  I got Pg on my 1st round of clomid.  good luck SSBD

[Heather5]

Thanks to all of you got answering my post! I've been kind of wondering about this for a while now. Maybe I'll see if I can try some clomid after New Year's.

...but for now, I'm CD4, and just bought some pre-seed. Who knows, maybe that'll help give me a little boost this cycle :-)

Thanks, again!