Clomifene (Clomid) and PCOS?

[Memumo]

Hi! I have PCOS and started trying for a baby mid January. It's obviously too early to tell yet (sadly I feel pessimistic).

I have read that the GP may prescribe Clomid for those with PCOS who are trying for a baby. But when will they prescribe this? Will they want me to try for a while first?

Thanks!

Hiya love,

Welcome to the TTC bandwagon!
My and the hubs have been trying to conceive for quite some time - I have PCOS too.
Ideally they like you to be trying for a year before you go to the docs for anything prescribed, although if your PCOS is like mine and you don't ovulate or have periods then they may consider you early, my doctor did after 6 months, but I think it's up to the GP.
When I went to the doctors they did a load of blood tests and then after that gave me Metformin to try for 3/4 months. That didn't work so I was then referred to the fertility clinic. I have since had additional scans I am now waiting for a Lap (laparoscopy)and Dye, after which I will be given Clomid. So as to when you may be prescribed Clomid, if indeed you need it, it's different for everyone and depends how your PCOS affects your body! Hope this helps xx

That's perfect, thanks so much and good luck xxx

Clomid should ideally be prescribed by a consultant gynae rather than a GP (I do not think a GP can actually prescribe this though I will stand corrected).

You should be monitored whilst on clomid as it is quite powerful stuff; it can affect hormone levels markedly and no monitoring is unacceptable as you will not know whether its working or not.

Clomid's main job is to make the ovaries work harder.

If you've previously been diagnosed with PCOS it is best to seek a referral to a subfertility unit sooner rather than later. You may be fortunate and get such a referral request done after 6 months of ttc without success.

Jadebons - did they advise why they are doing such surgery and before trying clomid as well?. Clomid is usually the first line of treatment offered. I would make sure you are fully conversant with why such surgery has been offered to you, you do not want any more surgery than is strictly necessary. Also why have they seemingly not offered you ovarian diathermy surgery, this can have some success in kickstarting ovulation with PCOS patients.

Hi and welcome 😊

I also have PCOS and am trying to conceive my first child. You will need to be referred to a specialist if you need clomifene. A doctor won’t prescribe that.

My GP was a total arse to be brutally honest. Despite me explaining that I had PCOS and extremely long and irregular cycles (80+ days) which I believed were annovulatory due to me doing bbt and ovulation sticks, the doctor still refused to refer me until I’d been ttc for over a year.

I went to him first at six months and then again at nine months ttc to explain that I didn’t really have periods and he kept telling me that it was because I was too stressed and I needed to calm down. He treated me like a hysterical woman every time which I found patronising and humiliating as my cycles have been this irregular for 16 years and I have not been using any hormonal contraception which could have affected them. He refused to listen to anything I had to say.

Eventually after 13 months I went back and said I wasn’t leaving his office until he referred me. He did. I think he only refered me because I bought DH who is built like a brick house and looks terrifying (he’s actually the biggest softie)😂.

I then saw a fertility specialist at the hospital who was furious as I was supposed to have had a whole host of tests done (blood tests, HSG, external and internal scans) before I had my first appointment with her. According to her, the GP should have arranged everything before the referral so that by the time I met with the specialist, I’d had the tests and she could look at the results to arrange my treatment plan. So my first appointment was a total waste of time as all she could do was book the tests. She couldn’t offer me any treatment.

Now at 20 months ttc, Ive finally had my results Which confirm I don’t ovulate. I have had a second appointment and have finally been given metformin and clomifene and am two weeks into treatment so fingers crossed! I have to have a day 21 blood test after my first period on metformin and clomifene to check that it has caused ovulation. If not they have to up the dosage. I have to have a general checkup after six months if I haven’t become pregnant.

My advice is don’t let your GP fob you off if you know something is wrong already. If I’m doubt, try and see another GP. Also, make sure that if they refer you to a fertility specialist, they have arranged for the general scans and blood tests to be done first otherwise this can delay your treatment. Mine was delayed for six months as they had to arrange the tests, have the tests done, wait for the results and then arrange an appointment to discuss treatment.

I Know my experience is not the same as everyone’s and I hope that yours is nothing like mine but I just wanted to share my experience so that you have an idea of what to do if you don’t get the support you need!

Good luck and I hope it all happens quickly for you! 😊❤️