Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) is an orally administered drug, which acts as an ovulatory stimulant. It blocks oestrogen, so encouraging the pituitary gland to produce more FSH to stimulate the follicles. It is prescribed to help correct irregular ovulation (or induce ovulation in anovulatory patients), increase egg production and correct luteal phase defect.
In Chinese medicine, Yang is warming and drying and Yin is cooling and moistening. From a Chinese medicine perspective, Clomid has Yang properties and it is hot and drying. It raises the Yang, lifts the Qi and moves it upwards and outwards. As a result, Clomid tends to create Heat, as well as disturbing the Qi, resulting in a variety of side-effects, especially in those women already suffering from Yin deficiency and/or Liver Qi Stagnation.
The symptoms may include: 🌸night sweats 🌸hot flushes 🌸irritability 🌸headaches 🌸nausea/vomiting 🌸visual disturbances 🌸breast distention 🌸abdominal discomfort 🌸abnormal uterine 🌸ovarian cysts.
Most significantly, the Yin-depleting effect of Clomid can cause 🌸a thinning of the endometrium and 🌸a lack of fertile mucus, which hinders implantation and conception.
So, from a fertility point of view, the drug’s beneficial effects counterbalance its deleterious effects on fertility, particularly in women who are deficient in Yin. As a result only 50% of women who use Clomid fall pregnant and 20% of those who fall pregnant will miscarry.
Clomid can be beneficial in women who are Yang deficient or suffer from Cold or Dampness in the Uterus. In these cases, the Yang-stimulating effects of Clomid can help restore a woman's ovulatory response. However, if a women experiences symptoms of severe hot flushes, night sweats, headaches whilst on Clomid (all symptoms of excess Yang/deficient Yin), this indicates that her body cannot tolerate the Yang-invigorating effects of the drug and it should be used with caution.
If you have experienced the above side-effects whilst taking Clomid, we recommend treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to minimise the side-effects, preserve and thicken the endometrium and increase fertile mucus.
To book a consultation, you can contact us on 07957 641946 or email us at info@conceive.org.uk
