I've been prescribed Clomid and I'm confused...

[MrsPolly]

I wondered if someone could let me know what they think. I had a private referral from GP for irregular periods/long-ish cycles but mainly because we've been ttc for over 12 months now. The Gynae I was referred to gave me a scan and thought there was possible PCOS (but possibly not - all a bit unclear). He prescribed me Clomid for 3 mths and has booked me in for a day 21 blood test. I said that I would like to know whether there was any physical problems i.e. blocked tubes or problems with hormone levels before taking Clomid. He also made no mention of any poss side effects or any monitoring. Am I worrying unecessarily and is taking Clomid no big deal? DH is off to have another sperm test (different consultant) but I would have thought that it seems sensible to establish if there's a problem with him before I start taking this ?
If anyone can help I'd be very grateful thank you

Same happened to me 16 years ago - I was booked in for a later D&C which I had to cancel because I became pregnant on my first cycle of Clomid.

Hi

Have your LH and FSH levels not been looked at to date?. I ask this as with PCOS there is sometimes an imbalance between these two levels (the level of LH is seen to be higher than that of FSH). I would have thought that these levels would have been looked at before being given clomid.

You ought to have a firm diagnosis before taking this drug.

Clomid is quite a powerful drug and encourages the ovaries to work harder. It can also produce more LH. You should be monitored closely whilst on this drug (with blood tests and ultrasounds to see if an egg is leaving an ovary) as you will not know how effective it is or is not otherwise. I would therefore ask that further monitoring is done.

The cystic follicles associated with PCOS are very small and these disappear - only to be replaced by further cystic follicles.

Clomid is a first line treatment and is often prescribed before doing anything else like a tubal x-ray (HSG).

Does the cons that your DH is seeing work for this same clinic?. Continuity of care is vitally important and you should be seeing the same group of people each visit.

If you continue to have any misgivings then I would seek out another clinic to work with.

Lilymaid, that's very encouraging, thank you!

Attilla, yes from what I have read on mumsnet and elsewhere i thought that i should be monitored and i am a bit cross that this wasn't even suggested. I did take details of an old blood test with me (from last year but he didn't suggest repeating it) and I don't think this shows raised LH - but does the LH/FSH test need to be taken at a particular stage in the cycle?
You are right re: continuity and I think i will ask to be transferred to my DH's clinic.
thanks v much for you quick response

Hi MrsPolly,

LH/FSH level testing is usually done early in a cycle (day 3). As I had no cycle length to really go by (due to PCOS!) the hospital asked me to come in on the calendar days (i.e 3rd, 10th and 21st of each month).

Any test result from over six months ago should be discounted. You need up to date test results.

Good luck to you!.