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Clomid for Fertility: A Quick Guide for Functional Medicine Toronto Patients

POSTED ON MARCH 28, 2022 BY TORONTO FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CENTRE

At our functional medicine Toronto practice, we always get inquiries about attaining optimal wellness. So it’s also not uncommon for patients to ask us about using Clomid for fertility purposes.

So what exactly is Clomid? First, it should be noted that in our clinic, a nurse practitioner or medical doctor are the only professionals allowed to prescribe Clomid for fertility-related functional medicine treatments. Clomid is a fertility drug used to help women become pregnant. Clomid is taken orally and works by stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs.

As a commonly prescribed fertility drug, Clomid has been shown to be effective in increasing pregnancy rates. In fact, our functional medicine practitioners at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) recommend a wide range of strategies for encouraging conception, including Clomid for clinical therapies and personalized treatment plans.

In this blog post, we discuss how Clomid works, the benefits of taking it, and how to use it for improving your chances for conception. We also cover the side effects of taking Clomid and how to reach our private practice for a prescription.

The Functional Medicine Approach: Clomid and Treating Infertility

As we mentioned, Clomid may be prescribed for helping women get pregnant. The medication triggers the ovaries to produce eggs. The benefits of taking Clomid may include an increase in pregnancy rates and it may possibly lessen the amount of time it takes to get pregnant. Additionally, Clomid has been shown to help overcome infertility caused by PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and other ovulatory disorders.

When taking Clomid, it’s necessary to follow the instructions provided by your Toronto functional medicine doctor or nurse practitioner. Typically, functional medicine patients will be advised to use Clomid on specific days of their menstrual cycle. To reap the benefits of the drug, it should be consumed correctly. It is imperative to continue taking Clomid exactly how it was prescribed, even if you start to ovulate early.

The Canadian Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (CAOG) has specific recommendations on dosing, although some specialists advocate for other doses than what CAOG suggests. If you do not ovulate within the first cycle of treatment, your doctor may adjust the dose or add another medication such as HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to help induce ovulation.

The most common side effect of taking Clomid is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS can cause bloating, pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, OHSS can lead to long-term health issues, such as fluid accumulation in the abdomen, blood clots and even death. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Clomid, we urge you to contact your healthcare providers immediately.

FLASH FACT: Did you know that nutritional deficiencies could impact your fertility health and pregnancy? Click here to learn how to boost folate levels in your body.

Can Clomid Improve Your Fertility? Find Out at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre

Clomid is a commonly prescribed fertility drug that’s been shown to assist with increasing pregnancy rates. If you’re trying to conceive and have not had success, Clomid may be considered. Please visit the TFMC to discuss this medication with our nurse practitioner and medical doctor.

According to the functional medicine model, patients are never grouped together; instead, each patient is treated as a singular being. At the TFMC, we adhere to this model with an integrative approach to your fertility wellness goal. We provide integrative medicine intertwined with functional medicine wisdom. We focus on naturopathic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western medicine (allopathic treatments), acupuncture, intravenous drip therapy, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and functional medicine testing.

When it comes to fertility treatment plans, we provide functional care for patients while considering emotional wellness. To help augment your pregnancy chances, we may discuss clinical care strategies for addressing hormone imbalances, lifestyle factors, adrenal fatigue, thyroid issues, environmental factors, chronic conditions and other health issues that could contribute to infertility.

Our functional medicine healthcare providers can determine if Clomid is suitable for your fertility health goals. Contact our nurse practitioner or medical doctor for a Toronto functional medicine consultation about Clomid or other fertility-enhancing therapies.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

 

References:

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Davidson R, Motan T, Korownyk C. Clomiphene for anovulatory infertility. Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(6):492.

Rath SK, Sharma RK, Tarneja P, Chattopadhyay AB, Wadhwa RD. OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION SYNDROME DURING INDUCTION OF OVULATION FOR INTRA UTERINE INSEMINATION. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001;57(3):210-212. doi:10.1016/S0377-1237(01)80045-9

R.R. Elkhateeb, A.E. Mahran, H.H. Kamel,Long-term use of clomiphene citrate in induction of ovulation in PCO patients with clomiphene citrate resistance, Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, Volume 46, Issue 7, 2017, Pages 575-577, ISSN 2468-7847, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogoh.2017.05.007.

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Tannys D.R. Vause, Anthony P. Cheung, Anthony P. Cheung, Sony Sierra, Paul Claman, James Graham, Jo-Anne Guillemin, Louise Lapensée, Sabrina Steward, Tannys D.R. Vause, Benjamin Chee-Man Wong, Ovulation Induction in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada,Volume 32, Issue 5, 2010, Pages 495-502, ISSN 1701-2163, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1701-2163(16)34504-2.

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