Clomid Ovulation Calculator

How does this Clomid ovulation calculator work?

This health tool estimates the possible ovulation date and the fertile window during one menstrual cycle based on indications regarding Clomid therapy for fertility.

There are two tabs you can use in the Clomid ovulation calculator, the first one specifically designed to offer dates for a cycle under this drug while the second one offers a simple 12 month ovulation calendar.

As most recommendations suggest that the fertility treatment with Clomiphene citrate to begin during the 3^rd to 5^th of a new menstrual cycle and last for a period of 5 days, the date for induced ovulation is set to be approximately 7 days after the last dose of Clomid.

Clomiphene citrate is not deliberately a fertility drug but is the most common medical method used to induce ovulation by changing the biochemical balance in the body and making it believe there is less estrogen available. This in turn leads to an increase in the production of the GnRH, the ovulation fertility hormone responsible with regulating FSH and LH which induce ovulation.

This drug is usually prescribed for ovulatory dysfunctions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

While the question about when to start Clomid is answered by medical guidelines (day 3, 4 or 5 in a new cycle), the moment for sexual intercourse to successfully culminate in a pregnancy is a lot trickier to predict. Some women use over the counter ovulation predictor kits or monitor their basal temperature.

The best times for intercourse are considered one to two days before the ovulation date. At the same time, another recommendation is that after the fifth day of treatment and the last dose, couples should start having intercourse every other day and continue with this pattern for about 10 days. This should ensure a constant supply of sperm in the feminine system and increase the likelihood of conception.

Clomid guidelines

As with any medication, the usage prospects, the success rate and the side effects should be taken into account.

This drug is taken orally as a tablet and different types are available on the market in most countries. The average duration of treatment is of 5 days per cycle but the advice is to not go past 6 cycles and to try another therapy in case pregnancy doesn’t occur during this period.

Like most fertility treatments, the first side effect might be multiple pregnancy with chances of twin pregnancy of 5 to 10%.

There are other effects of concern, however, usually of mild severity, that include stomach pain with or without bloating and abdominal discomfort, fatigue, hot flashes, breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting, weight gain (in less than 1%) or mood swings.

In terms of success rate, this first choice fertility treatment is said to regulate ovulation in more than 80% of cases. The rate of pregnancies occurring during the first six cycles with Clomid is between 40 and 50%.

This treatment is counter indicated in females with liver disease or with ovarian cysts because of the risk of enlargement. At the same time, in case pregnancy might be suspected, i.e lack of period during that particular menstrual cycle, Clomid treatment should be ceased. There haven’t been any teratogenic side effects accounted for but this precaution should be taken.

References

1) Kerin JF, Warnes GM, Quinn P, Jeffrey R, Godfrey B, Broom TJ, McEvoy M, Kirby C, Johnson M, Cox LW. (1983) The effect of clomid induced superovulation on human follicular and luteal function for extracorporeal fertilization and embryo transfer. Clin Reprod Fertil; 2(2):129-42.

2) Feichtinger W, Kemeter P, Hochfellner C, Benkö I. (1983) Monitoring of Clomid-hMG-hCG controlled ovulation by ultrasound and a rapid (15 minutes) total urinary estrogen assay. Acta Eur Fertil; 14(2):107-11.

3) Seyedoshohadaei F, Zandvakily F, Shahgeibi S. (2012) Comparison of the effectiveness of clomiphene citrate, tamoxifen and letrozole in ovulation induction in infertility due to isolated unovulation. Iran J Reprod Med; 10(6): 531–536.