Clomiphene for Infertility

For women. Clomiphene may be prescribed to:

• Stimulate ovulation in a woman who does not ovulate or who ovulates irregularly. Her Reference estrogen Opens New Window levels and Reference pituitary gland Opens New Window function must be normal, and her male partner must be diagnosed as fertile.
• Perform a clomiphene challenge test, which is sometimes used to evaluate a woman's ovulation and egg quality (Reference ovarian reserve). When given early in a woman's menstrual cycle for 5 days, clomiphene elevates a woman's follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level. On the next day, an FSH blood level that has dropped back to normal is a sign of a normal ovarian reserve and ovulation. An elevated FSH is a sign of low ovarian reserve. Women who have a diminished ovarian reserve can use donor eggs, which greatly improves their chances of giving birth to a healthy child.
• Stimulate the development of multiple eggs for use with Reference assisted reproductive technology Opens New Window, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT).
• Regulate ovulation in a woman who ovulates irregularly and/or is going to have Reference intrauterine insemination or artificial insemination Opens New Window.

Clomiphene is sometimes used together with other medicines and infertility treatments.

Before trying clomiphene, women with Reference polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Opens New Window who are overweight are advised to lower their Reference body mass index (BMI) Opens New Window with diet and exercise. Reaching a healthy weight can restart ovulation.^{Reference 1} If that isn't successful, using medicine to correct Reference insulin Opens New Window metabolism may start ovulation. If not, a combination of medicines may help stimulate ovulation.

For men. Clomiphene may be used to treat low sperm counts (oligospermia).

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