Clomid not working - what next?

[Elly1685]

Hey all,

So I've just finished round 3 of clomid.

First round - 50mg - nothing
Second round - 100mg - nothing
Third round -150mg -nothing.

So I had a scan on CD 10, 14 and 17 and follicles were no bigger than 9mm. I've been told to make an appointment with the consultant so waiting to hear what he suggests next.

Has anybody had an experience of this? Any stories of hope?

I honestly thought it would work this time as I was SO ill with the side effects x

[TipsNotHacks]

Hi Elly. Sorry to hear this, I assume you have PCOS?

I do and I had the exact same experience when I started Clomid - didn't ovulate/produce substantial follicles. My specialist persevered and I had 3 more cycles on 150mcg. Didn't work either and I was referred for a laparoscopy/ovarian drilling. This did work for a couple of months or so but then periods stopped again. Mention OD to your specialist at your appointment, it's usually a very effective procedure.

Best of luck.

[KitKatCHA]

My first pregnancy took 2 cycles of clomid, the second took 8 so there definitely is hope

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I was in this position only I was not given clomid first (I was advised it would not help me due to my high LH levels).

They may well now try injectable drugs or laparoscopic ovarian diathermy to give ovarian drilling its proper name. I would ask about diathermy surgery. Its not a cure for PCOS and the cystic follicles associated with PCOS do return but it can kickstart the ovulation process.

[Elly1685]

Thank you for your reply ladies. It will give me some hope whilst I wait for my appointment at the end of the month!

I will ask about OD at the appointment, the consultant also said if 150mg doesn't work he would do a procedure to see if there was a blockage - but surely If there was a blockage the clomid would still make the follicles grow ?? So maybe that OD would be the better option?

kitkat that's amazing that clomid worked after 8 rounds the second time - do you mind me asking, did your follicles grow at all on the other 7 rounds? Xx

[Pommes]

Has your consultant mentioned clomid with metformin, the drug used to treat diabetes? There's a growing body of research that it works - and proved effective for a friend of mine. Clomid worked for me on the first cycle of not taking it, after seven.

[KitKatCHA]

Sorry just seen this. Regarding the follicles, I don't know. The only tests I had was blood tests on days 21/28/35 to check if I'd ovulated or not. The post above has just reminded me that I was also given Metformin, it gave me some nasty bowel related side effects though!

The really good news for us though was that after all the clomid and 2 pregnancies, something kick started my body into ovulating normally and I fell pregnant with DC3 unexpectedly with absolutely no interventions at all. I went from never expecting to be able to have any kids to having three, so please don't give up hope and I know it's difficult but try not to stress too much. The month I conceived DC2 was the month we were having off from regimented trying, I've heard this happens quite often