Oestrogen And Clomid
Clomid is a drug used to treat infertility in women with ovulation problems. Like all drugs, it may have certain side effects and it's important for you to know what these are before you begin taking it. Some of these side effects may even reduce your chances of getting pregnant. Fortunately, taking a simple oestrogen supplement can help counteract some of the side effects experienced by women on Clomid. For further information on potential problems with Clomid, you should consult your health care provider. You should never begin any course of fertility drug treatment without the approval of your doctor.
How Clomid Works
To understand how oestrogen supplements may further improve your chances of getting pregnant on Clomid, it's helpful to know a little bit about how Clomid works. The drug is administered in pill form. You take one pill every day for five consecutive days each month. The effect of the pills is to block parts of the brain called oestrogen receptors. These receptors allow the brain to determine how much oestrogen is in your body. The Clomid effectively fools your brain into thinking your body does not have enough oestrogen. This sets off a chain of events which results in the production of certain hormones to stimulate your ovaries into producing and releasing mature eggs, or, in other words, ovulation.
Oestrogen Problems
Just as Clomid blocks the oestrogen receptors in the brain, it may also block oestrogen receptors in the cervix (the mouth of the uterus through which sperm has to swim to get to the mature egg waiting to be fertilized). A side effect of this is that the mucus at the opening of your uterus may become unsuitable for sperm or it may dry up. It could even begin to block off the entrance to your uterus, giving those sperm little hope of making it to your egg. Ironically, the wonder drug which has got you ovulating again could now be the thing preventing your partner's sperm from getting you pregnant!
Oestrogen Solutions
Fortunately, a low-dosage oestrogen supplement prescribed by your doctor could go a long way towards rectifying these problems. Oestrogen encourages the production of fertile cervical mucus, and therefore helps to create a healthy environment for sperm as they swim to your uterus. Oestrogen can also thin out cervical mucus or uterine lining which has become too thick, therefore removing any blockages which may have occurred. In general, having the correct levels of oestrogen in your body creates the ideal conditions for conception and implantation in the uterus of a fertilised egg. This is because oestrogen regulates the thickness of the uterus' lining, optimises blood flow to and from the uterus and helps the uterus to increase in size as it needs to during pregnancy.
Oestrogen And You
If you have been taking Clomid for a couple of months without success in getting pregnant, it could be worth your while bringing up the subject of possible side effects and oestrogen supplements with your doctor - if he hasn't raised the issue already. There are several brands of oestrogen supplements available on the market and your doctor will be able to advise you as to which is best in your case.
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