Clomid Timing for Fertility Treatment
Clomid should be started on cycle day 5 and taken for 5 consecutive days (days 5-9) for standard ovulation induction in women with ovulatory dysfunction. 1
Standard Dosing Protocol
- Begin Clomid on day 5 of the menstrual cycle (counting the first day of menstrual bleeding as day 1) 1
- Take the medication for 5 consecutive days (typically days 5-9) 1, 2
- Ovulation typically occurs 5-10 days after the last Clomid dose, usually around cycle days 14-19 1
- Properly timed intercourse in relationship to ovulation is critical for success 1
Monitoring and Timing Intercourse
- Use basal body temperature charting or other ovulation detection methods to confirm ovulation occurred 1
- Plan intercourse during the fertile window, which begins approximately 5-7 days after completing the Clomid course 1
- The fertile period extends from several days before ovulation through 24 hours after ovulation 3
Treatment Duration Considerations
- Each course of Clomid should be started on or about day 5 of the cycle once ovulation has been established 1
- Long-term cyclic therapy is not recommended beyond approximately 6 total cycles, including 3 ovulatory cycles 1
- However, cumulative conception rates continue to rise through 12 treatment cycles in women with pure anovulatory infertility, approaching normal population rates 4
- Treatment should probably be limited to a maximum of 12 cycles due to potential long-term risks 4
Alternative Protocols for Resistant Cases
For women who fail to ovulate with standard 5-day courses at doses ≥150 mg:
- An extended 10-day protocol (100 mg from days 3-12) can be effective, with 47% of resistant patients achieving ovulation 5
- This extended duration provides a simple alternative before moving to more complex ovulation induction strategies 5
Important Caveats
- Clomid is indicated only for women with demonstrated ovulatory dysfunction who are not pregnant and do not have ovarian cysts 1
- Pelvic examination is necessary prior to the first and each subsequent treatment course 1
- The starting dose is typically 50 mg daily for 5 days, which can be increased to 100 mg in subsequent cycles if ovulation does not occur 1
- Women with body mass index elevation show decreased response to Clomid, making weight reduction an important adjunct therapy 4