Clomid 3-7 or 5-9?

[Kristina921]

Hey guys....Just curious here. Does anyone know what the difference is between taking clomid on days 3-7 or days 5-9? My prescription (which I finished yesterday!) says days 3-7. Does it make you O sooner? Anyone know the reasoning behind it?

Thanks, you guys are the best!

[BC-DKNY]

kristina, i'm not 100% sure, but i think the clomid on days 5-9 is used then to lengthen your cycle. i know we're discussed this here before, maybe some of the ladies with clomid experience can be more specific.

i'll see if i can dig up one of those old posts.....

[BC-DKNY]

kristina...i'm still looking. apparantly we have A LOT of posts about clomid....

[Kristina921]

Thanks Dina! I bet there are alot of posts...I've been looking on the net but most places say 5-9...

[BC-Maura]

Hi guys: Here is one doctor's response to the question of 3-7 or 5-9. I did find reference on another site that one study showed success with starting it earlier, but I haven't found the study yet.


"Q: I have read that some people have success taking Clomid on days 5-9 instead of days 3-7. Under what circumstances should this be done? How does changing the days affect the results? Can blood tests alone show if the Clomid did or didn't work?

A: It makes no difference to success rates whether you start clomiphene on day 3 or day 5 (with day 1 being the first day of real menstrual flow). Clomiphene (Clomid, Serophene) is an anti-estrogen medication that prompts ovulation by fooling the brain into believing that your ovary is slacking off. The brain responds by releasing the hormones LH and FSH, which send the message to the ovary to get busy. LH stimulates ovarian production of male hormones, while FSH stimulates the development of the follicle, egg and the enzymes necessary to convert the male hormones to estrogen.
Ovulation induction predominantly requires FSH. Very little LH is necessary to achieve normal growth of the eggs and sufficient estrogen levels to prepare the uterine lining. I prefer that my patients begin clomiphene on day 3 of the cycle rather than day 5, as this shifts the balance between LH and FSH to slightly favor FSH release. Also, by starting a bit earlier, it is more likely that you will ovulate around day 14 -- the day most women ovulate.

See http://health.ivillage.com/infertili...6gql-p,00.html

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Maura

[Kristina921]

Thanks Maura! I had a feeling it had to do partly with O day...I know when you take it 5-9, I've heard many women say that they end up O'ing really late...I took it 3-7 so I guess we will see what happens!

[BC-DKNY]

Clomiphene citrate comes in 50-mg tablets that are taken on days 5-9 of your cycle or, less typically, on days 4-8 or 3-7. There is some preliminary research that indicates that an earlier start date may result in more pregnancies, but most gynecologists continue to prescribe it for days 5-9. One recent study (Biljan et al, cited below) actually tried prescribing Clomid on cycle days 1-5. While none of the participants in their day 5-9 group resulted in pregnancy, 24 percent of the women who took Clomid on days 1-5 were able to conceive.

Daily doses range from 50 mg to 200 mg. A few doctors will prescribe as much 250 mg per day, but this is rare and goes against manufacturer's suggestions. The Merck Manual, a reputable sourcebook for health care professionals, suggests no more than 150 mg per day.

http://www.conceivingconcepts.com/le...cles/0020.html

[BC-DKNY]

P.S most ppl i know that take/took clomid, were also prescribed cd 3-7.

[BC-Maura]

Hey Dina! That was the site I mentioned that referenced the study!

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Maura

[BC-DKNY]

as if i didn't know GMTA!!!!!!

when i went back and read your reply i knew you must've read what i just copied and pasted. we're scary....lol