What's the diff--starting clomid on cd 3 or 5

katieworek · May 2011

Both last cycle and this cycle my RE has had me start taking 50mg clomid on day 5. I didn't O until day 19 last cycle and I am wondering if maybe if I had started on day 3 that I possibly would have O'd sooner?

Does anyone know the reasons for starting clomid on day 5 rather than 3??

ELF4321 · May 2011

My understanding is that starting on cd3 can result in more follicles developing, which increases the chances of multiples and/or not being able to go through with IUI b/c of there being too many follies. Starting on CD5 usually results in fewer follicles developing, but being more well-developed and likely to be successful than with a cd3 start. I think some docs do cd3 because the side effects of clomid are less likely to occur with a cd3 start (not exactly sure why that is, but it's what I read).

flycka · May 2011

The sooner you start, the more follies you may recruit. But everyone responds different.
For me it actually worked that taking from 5-9 I ovulated earlier since the follie matured faster.

Ya Never Know · May 2011

I believe that some doctors go with CD3-7 in the hopes that you might ovulate earlier. Both CD3-7 and CD5-9 are effective though. I generally have long cycles, so my doctor went with CD3-7, but this cycle, I still ovulated late, other cycles I O'd early.

katib77 · May 2011

I personally don't know how they decide that. Last IUI cycle they had me take it cd4-8, this cycle it was cd3-7.

I think if you are a personal who naturally O's later they might have you start it later because your body naturally will build up lining in that time. If you take it too early it doesn't give your body enough time for the lining to thicken up.

I only thought this because since I started a day earlier this time they mentioned my lining was so thin but it's because it was only cd10 when I had the u/s. They said "well it hasn't had much time to thicken but then again you always O so early. This could be part of the problem with getting you PG."

If your lining was good last time, then they might think it's better to O later with great lining then to push it earlier. Just a guess.

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What's the diff--starting clomid on cd 3 or 5

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