Clomid help

[Daisy545]

Hi 😊

I know there are loads of threads on Clomid but I just need a clear answer if anyone can help.

We've been trying to conceive for 3+ years, lots of scans, examinations and meds involved! I don't have regular periods at all, the last one was a year ago when I had a laparoscopy and ovarian drilling, nothing since.

I have been on Metformin 1500mg for about 2 years. Now my dr has prescribed Clomid with Norethisterone for 1 month and only Clomid for a second month.

I just need to make sure I get this right as it's so new. So I take Norethisterone for 3 days. I should then start bleeding a couple days after stopping. On day 2 of the bleed this is when I start the Clomid? And say 1 of bleed is day 1 of my cycle?

So he told me day 21 of my cycle I have to go get bloods. When should I expect to ovulate, is it around day 21?

Then after this he said if I don't have a second bleed on the next month to take the second Clomid on day 35.

Any help is appreciated, or if this doesn't make any sense.

Thanks x

Hi @Daisy545 Im also taking Clomid but my periods are regular. Reason I was prescribed it is because my progesterone is low so some months I release an egg and some I don’t. I’m also new to use of Clomid; this is my first “cycle” using it. I was told to take first dose on day 2 of period for 5 days then ovulation is usually a week later. I’m planning on using digital ovulation tests just to get the ovulation dates right however. I too need day 21 bloods taken which fertility clinic said should be a week before next period. Dependent on blood result, Clomid dose may be altered.

Take Norethisterone for 3 days.
Induces a period short while after stopping.
CD1 is first day of proper bleeding
CD2 start clomid
Should take a few days in a row. Usually CD2-6
Should ovulate somewhere around CD10-16
CD21 should therefore be approx 7DPO, they do bloods to see if you have ovulated.

Hope that helps @Daisy545

This bit makes no sense to me- "on the next month to take the second Clomid on day 35"

Thanks @Borolass84
My dr doesn't want to increase the dosage and only wants to try for one cycle, 2 max but without Norethisterone.

@TheDaydreamBelievers - also thanks for clarifying. The day 35 thing I don't know either, is this perhaps when a regular cycle would start again for some women? I don't know what good this would do though if I haven't had a bleed.

I'm still waiting on my Clomid, should have started it by now but apparently there is a major shortage 🙄

@Daisy545 worth clarifying. Maybe they meant if nothing by cd35 then start norethistorine again? On my letrozole protocol i do CD2-6 letrozole then start norethistorine on CD40 if no period and not pregnant

@TheDaydreamBelievers the dr only prescribed one dose of norethisterone and when I asked about the second he wasn't willing to give this more than 1/2 tries.

So if I am unsuccessful first round and don't have a bleed second round he said take the clomid on day 35 anyway 🤷‍♀️

I've just finished the norethisterone, so just waiting now to take clomid.

@Daisy545 the different approaches are confusing. I'm on a different drug but I'm CD 2-6, letrozole, then if CD21 and 28 bloods show no ovulation, I take norethisterone at 5mg for 7 days, then period should come within a week of stopping it. I appreciate everyone's body, medical hx is different but I wish I understood more why they go for X or y!

They are indeed. I just really don't understand why one cycle, and if this fails he doesn't want me to try anymore, very interesting. Perhaps he thinks because I've been on 1500mg Metformin for a couple of years now and if it doesn't work, it won't be worth trying more than once 🤷‍♀️

Have you considered going privately?

@Daisy545 I think you definitely need to challenge your doctor.

1. is your doctor a fertility clinic doctor in the NHS? If they are a GP, they are not meant to prescribe clomid as it should be monitored via scans etc.
2. the evidence base and guidelines for clomid say up to 6 rounds but never more in a lifetime. Super unclear why they would say 2.
3. would they offer letrozole? It's now considered first line and also doesn't have the "only 6 rounds ever" thing.

Metformin is not approved as an ovulation inducing drug, and to my knowledge is often used with the others not alone.

We will do NHS before private. Our path is clear if frustratingly slow - letrozole, 6 months at an effective dose (if can get an effective dose) then IVF if either no effective dose or if letrozole doesn't get me pregnant

@TheDaydreamBelievers he is a gynaecologist in the NHS.
Letrozole was never mentioned actually. I have just had a look at the box of Clomid and noticed 20 tablets in there. This is even more confusing.

I used to be on norethisterone a couple of years ago and still have some left and in date. I wonder is it worth continuing with those and clomid if this round is unsuccessful. I could also increase the dose of clomid this round with me having more but more than one per day wasn't prescribed.

We are doing the same, NHS first then private if we need to. The waiting times are the worst though.