Does Clomid make endometriosis worse?

I am currently doing IUI every month with 100mg of Clomid only. I have done my second cycle of IUI.

I have endometriosis. I heard that Clomid can cause adhesions to grow back. Is that true?

I asked my gyn who is performing the IUI on me, and he said Clomid doesn't affect endometriosis at all. Is he wrong?

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
We don't completely understand the mechanism of growth of endometriosis, so its only possible to give you a theoretical answer.  We think that endometriosis is an abnormality of the immune system.  We also think that hormone levels stimulate endometriosis. That is why low hormone levels such as those seen with patients taking depot Lupron help to keep endometriosis from growing.  Theoretically Clomid increases hormone levels, and therefore it could accelerate the growth of endometriosis.  The ironic thing is though, pregnancy, which has VERY high hormone levels is wonderful therapy for endometriosis.  So, even if the Clomid does speed up the endometriosis, if it works, the pregnancy will more than make up for it!
I hope this is helpful!
Dr B