My husband and I are TTC. We've been trying for a little over 2 years. I have PCOS and very, very irregular periods. Recently my Dr. placed me on 50mg of clomid. I started my 1st round on March 21st. I tested my ovulation every day and never seemed to get positive results. Finally, last week, there were almost two solid lines on my test, and it's been like that for the past week. On top of that, I started bleeding very lightly (so light I don't even really need a pantyliner) and it's lasted 4 days. I called my Dr. and he says it's a period and to start clomid tomorrow (day 5 of cycle), but it really just doesn't feel like a period to me. Anyone ever been in a similar situation?
No, no checks like that. He had me take provera to 'bleed out' and then start clomid. I called about a week ago because I was past day 30 of my cycle, and was told to start the provera and clomid again, but then this light bleeding started over the weekend (before I could take any provera).
I have to admit I have concerns about how your doctor is handling the Clomid. You should be receiving ultrasounds to confirm ovulation. And be monitored on Clomid. As others pointed out, there is a ton of information on Clomid if you us the search feature.
Are you seeing an RE? Have you had other tests done?
As for the bleeding, if it was enough to fill a pad it was your period.
I've never taken Clomid but I know enough that it terrifies me that your doctor isn't monitoring you more closely. Like the others have said, you need blood work done and u/s's. I'd run! ETA: How long are your cycles without Provera? My ob/gyn is fine with me going 60 days and then asking for Provera because every woman's body is different. It's weird to me that after only 30 days he is telling you to take it.
Me: 32 DH: 31
Married: July 14, 2007 TTC #1: January 2008 Surprise BFP: November 2009
It's possible you had an anovulatory cycle. I am getting ready to start my 4th round of Clomid and my periods are MUCH heavier and more painful while on it. There is definitely no mistaking it for something else. My doctor confirms ovulation with progesterone tests after I get a positive on an OPK. Yours should be doing that as well, otherwise how will they know it's working?
Me: 34 DH: 36 TTC#2 September 2015 DD #1 born July 2014 Clomid 50 mg x2 months- no ovulation Clomid 100mg x 2 months- confirmed ovulation first month, BFN
I don't understand your doctor. If he doesn't do any testing, how does he know if you ovulated? How does he know what dose to give you? Clomid is not something to mess around with.
I don't normally say this because it comes across as "listen to strangers on the internet over your own doctor" but seriously...find a new one!
i agree with most of what these ladies have already said: you need to find a new doctor. you should be receiving regular ultrasounds and blood work. otherwise, this is all a big waste of your money and time!!
Not scared. I was just away all weekend, and I don't get emails when this is updated! Anyway, I am a bit nervous about my doctor not sending me for blood testing. He's just my GYN. I suggested going to a FS at my last appointment, but he said we should try 3 rounds of clomid first. I will say that the bleeding lasted for a week, so I'm pretty sure it was just a light period..but I am concerned that I didn't see any ovulation as I was testing. I wasn't super consistent about taking my temp, so I'm going to try to be better this month and hopefully that will help.
Not scared. I was just away all weekend, and I don't get emails when this is updated! Anyway, I am a bit nervous about my doctor not sending me for blood testing. He's just my GYN. I suggested going to a FS at my last appointment, but he said we should try 3 rounds of clomid first. I will say that the bleeding lasted for a week, so I'm pretty sure it was just a light period..but I am concerned that I didn't see any ovulation as I was testing. I wasn't super consistent about taking my temp, so I'm going to try to be better this month and hopefully that will help.
Have you had an HSG to check that your tubes are open and has your SO had a semen analysis? If you have a blocked tube or your SO has low motility or numbers all the clomid in the world won't get you pregnant. Clomid has a max lifetime use of 6 cycles so it would be a shame to waste 3 of them without proper testing.
LadyMillil has some very good points. That said, my doctor didn't do that testing first and I have no idea why not. I don't think Clomid tends to be treated as seriously as it should.
Just going to chime in that my GYN tried to start me on Clomid without any initial tests. If it weren't for the wonderful ladies on this site, I would have gone forward with it. I am now seeing an RE, who is better equipped for all of the extra tests and monitoring necessary. I would definitely listen to @LadyMillil about not wanting to waste cycles on Clomid without proper testing. Best of luck!
LadyMillil has some very good points. That said, my doctor didn't do that testing first and I have no idea why not. I don't think Clomid tends to be treated as seriously as it should.
A lot of OBs seem to think it's a magic get pregnant pill and prescribe it to anyone which is terrible because it can have devastating side effects without proper monitoring. OBs aren't generally trained in assisted reproductive technologies.
@LadyMillil what is annoying is there here you can't get a referral to an RE if you haven't tried Clomid first. So the OBs really should be educating themselves more.
I learned a lot more about it while on my first cycle, and if I hadn't gotten pregnant so quickly on it I WOULD have been pressing those questions.
@LadyMillil what is annoying is there here you can't get a referral to an RE if you haven't tried Clomid first. So the OBs really should be educating themselves more.
I learned a lot more about it while on my first cycle, and if I hadn't gotten pregnant so quickly on it I WOULD have been pressing those questions.
Not trying to start a debate. Where are you, exactly? Like, what area? My GYN tried to start me on Clomid and when I told him I wasn't comfortable starting it without closer monitoring, he sent me a referral to an RE. It may be different depending on insurance or location, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
I'm Canadian as well. My OB did all my testing and referred me to an RE for treatment.
Well, their OBs could have been full of crap, obviously (I didn't get around to asking mine details because it worked the first time for me). But one was the head of obstetrics in our area, so you would THINK he would know the right thing to do. But alas...
When reading up on Clomid online, it does say that many doctors just seem to throw the medications at their patients. Mine did check blood levels regularly during my cycle, but I wasn't monitored via ultrasounds. I know better now.
My OBGYN tried to start me on letrozole with no monitoring. He basically gave me a prescription with 3 refills and said "call when pregnant". It didn't sit well with me so I went to an RE. Turns out a tube is blocked. Glad I didn't just take the meds and run!!
I'm American, and I could have gone straight to a specialist. I mentioned this to my GYN and he said we needed to try the 3 rounds of clomid before going to a RE. He's been really great dealing with my PCOS and I really have always trusted him in the past, but I think I'm going to go meet with a specialist.
Re: Clomid question
ETA: I hope everything works out and you get your answers. It sounds like so much stress.
It has been discussed in length on many threads. I did a quick search and came up with this recent one: https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12667649/clomid-prescription
Theborg7of9's comments particularly are very informative and you should definitely read them.
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Are you seeing an RE? Have you had other tests done?
As for the bleeding, if it was enough to fill a pad it was your period.
LFAF April Siggy Challenge - TV/Movie BFFS - Romy & Michele
Side note: in my region, you won't get referred to an RE for annovulation until after you have done Clomid with your OBGYN. It is screwed up
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ETA: How long are your cycles without Provera? My ob/gyn is fine with me going 60 days and then asking for Provera because every woman's body is different. It's weird to me that after only 30 days he is telling you to take it.
Me: 32 DH: 31
TTC #1: January 2008
Surprise BFP: November 2009
CP: September 2016
TTC#2 September 2015
DD #1 born July 2014
Clomid 50 mg x2 months- no ovulation
Clomid 100mg x 2 months- confirmed ovulation first month, BFN
I don't normally say this because it comes across as "listen to strangers on the internet over your own doctor" but seriously...find a new one!
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Me: 32 DH: 31
TTC #1: January 2008
Surprise BFP: November 2009
CP: September 2016
TTC Since: Nov. 2015
Dx: PCOS
Clomid + Ovidrel, Round I: BFN
Clomid + Ovidrel, Round II: BFN
Clomid+Ovidrel, Round III: BFP! 7/5/16
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Best of luck!
I learned a lot more about it while on my first cycle, and if I hadn't gotten pregnant so quickly on it I WOULD have been pressing those questions.
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Thanks, @HopingForOneAgain!
When reading up on Clomid online, it does say that many doctors just seem to throw the medications at their patients. Mine did check blood levels regularly during my cycle, but I wasn't monitored via ultrasounds. I know better now.
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GYN= taking care if any women's health issues
OB= caring for pregnant women and delivering infant.
Many are Ob/Gyn, but that does not make them fertility experts.