Questions About Clomid & Side Effects & Progesterone Levels

Updated on November 14, 2008
M.W. asks from Chicago, IL
4 answers

I'm 38 years old, and I'm now on 100 mg Clomid due to low progesterone levels. I have not been ovulating because my progesterone is so low, that the eggs aren't actually being released. I have a couple of questions for those of you who have taken this dosage (or higher) of Clomid (and would love to hear from a few of you out there with the same problem).

Did your progesterone levels change dramatically each month? I got pregnant on 50mg Clomid last May (which unfortunately I later miscarried) and had a progesterone level of 27 that cycle. I was so hopeful when I started 50mg Clomid again two months ago. First it was a 14 (and I did not ovulate), then last month it was a 6! A 6!!! I had higher progesterone levels when I was NOT EVEN TAKING CLOMID!!! What the heck? Is this normal? Does anyone know anything about this?

I'm also wondering about hot flashes. I guess I figured the hot flashes were normal while taking Clomid because it's mucking with my hormones. Is it normal? With the level of 6 while on Clomid, I'm paranoid now that I might be going through peri-menopause or something (although I have had no other symptoms to indicate this, I'm just overly worried and have to ask)...

How long is it safe to stay on Clomid? My doc said they will give me only 3 months (50mg, 50mg, 100mg), perhaps a 4th month at 150mg, before sending me to a fertility specialist. Will the specialist let me take it longer? Are there any long term side effects? Does your body get "used to" Clomid, and would I need to take even higher doses?

It seems that back in May I was able to achieve pregnancy on 50mg, so it seems like the Clomid should work again at some point, right? How can 50mg give me a reading of 27 one month, then 14, then 6?

Lastly (and I hope the Clomid works this month so I won't have to go), does anyone have a super great fertility clinic/doctor who is a woman, in/near Chicago? I could use some hopes & prayers from all of you other mommies out there that we are successful soon!

Many thanks for taking the time to read my questions & respond. I'd love any info or advice that you might have.

Thanks,
M.

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

You are 38 years old and time is very precious. Tell your doctor you want to see a Reproductive Endocrinologist now. While your doctor certainly can help you, you really ought to see a specialist whose primary research and work is in the field of RE. It would be like going to your family doctor to have knee surgery. I'm sure they'd do a fine job with it, but wouldn't an orthopedic surgeon be a better choice?

I highly, highly, highly recommend Dr. Mary Wood-Molo at the Rush Professional Building near Harrison and Ashland (West Loop/Little Italy area). She is phenomenal and recently received national accolades for her work and care in the areas of RE and maternal-fetal medicine. Her website is www.whcchicago.com and the phone number is ###-###-#### (baby). We worked with her nearly three years and now have an almost 2 year old son.

If your eggs aren't being released you probably would benefit from some sort of ovulation trigger such as an hCG injection. Of course, only a physician who knows your medical history and has conducted a full exam and testing can help create a fertility plan that is appropriate for you. He is doing the responsible thing by not spending months and months on end trying the Clomid. Your body and chemistry might need something more than just Clomid.

Good luck to you, and if I were in this situation I would really push for the referral to the Reproductive Endocrinologist.

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

M.:
I am sorry for all of your misfortune. You are not alone with this but unfortunately, the medical community is NOT up to date on natural progesterone cream. You are taking a synthetic and your body rejects synthetics! I can give you so many heartwarming stories about women who have been saved the agony of all of this, become normal, become pregnant and have their babies because they are now balanced. You don't want to up the medicine. You may not even have to spend hundreds of dollars going to see a specialist. I can provide you so much information on a natural progesterone cream that is bio-identical (THAT IS KEY!!!). Dr. John Lee was a pioneer in this area and he has written so many books about this and his studies still continue on. Unfortunately, because it is a natural substance and doesn't require a prescription, the doctors are NOT schooled in it. No prescription, no kickbacks! Yes, that is how our medical society works.

I would be so happy to provide you information so give me your email address and I can attach documents for you to review. I am a health and wellness consultant and this is an area that is not known by the general public. Yours in health,

K.

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H.E.

answers from Chicago on

Hi M.
I urge you to consider the natural form of progesterone. Many studies have been done and many women have been using it for perimenopause as well as and especially for, infertility. I had been on Crinone for months with miserable side effects. SO miserable I decided to give the natural cream a chance since there are little to no reported side effects! I know it is different than the Clomid and that that is to help women ovulate. I had two miscarriages in the last year before starting the synthetic form which not only made me have permanent PMS X 10 (imagine that), but I wasn't ovulating like I normally did for some reason. I gave my body a rest for about a month before I started the natural form. After 2 months of trying, the second time I ovulated and became pregnant and am now 9 weeks along. My progesterone levels came back normal(23) and i was indeed pregnant with soaring hcgs! I was ecstatic to say the least. Please consider using this method!! You can do much research on your own through a website by Dr. John Lee, or pick up his book at any Borders or even Amazon to educate yourself. I am in the process of absorbing as much info right now that I can and got to the point that I knew I had to take on infertility on my own. My OB told me there was no other way other than to take the crinone. I now have a new OB :) and feel as I have taken charge of my infertility issues. Feel free to email me about any questions if you'd like. I can tell you all about where I get it and how to get it as well!

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

I would also consider Pulling Down the Moon located in the River North area of Chicago on Kingsbury. They have many alternative things you can do in conjunction with hormone therapy. Acupuncture is known to help increase fertility by 63% when done in conjunction of conventional medicine.

Just something else to consider that is less invasive on the body.

Best wishes,
J.

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