The Clomid Controversy
One of the most commonly prescribed fertility medications is Clomid. The fact of the matter is Clomid is almost always the first step in any sort of medical treatment for infertility. Why is that the case? Well, for starters, Clomid is one of the most effective fertility medications. On top of that, it’s also one of the least expensive fertility medications. Those two factors together meant that it’s bound to be prescribed and used by a large number of women.
Now, any time a medication is used by a large number of people, there are bound to be some controversies. To be sure, some come from legitimate concerns. There are some medications that wind up causing troubles that may not have shown up in clinical trials. In other cases, it might be that the drug manufacturer missed something or, according to some theories, covered up a problem.
Still, there are some legitimate and known issues with Clomid and other fertility drugs. One of the most common is the risk of multiple pregnancies. It seems that about half of all cases fertility medications leads to multiple pregnancy – a pregnancy with two or more fetuses. There are a number of significant risks that come with multiple pregnancy, some of which can even be life-threatening.
There are other potential issues with Clomid, as well. There are known side effects, including hot flashes and enlargement of the ovaries, which occur in about one in ten women. About one in twenty women who take Clomid will have abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vision problems or breast sensitivity. One if fifty may have headache or uterine bleeding.
There are other concerns, too. There are some studies that suggest there may be a link between increased ovulation (which Clomid helps to create) and ovarian cancer. There isn’t any certain research in this area yet, however, and it really is too early to start blaming Clomid on this kind of problem.
In the end, if you have concerns about Clomid you should speak with your health care provider, who can help you decide if it’s the right medication for you.
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