What is Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)?

Fertility Treatment

Obie Editorial Team

Q: What is Clomid and what is it used for?

A: Clomid, or Clomiphene Citrate (the brand names are Clomid and Serophene), has been on the market for over 25 years. It is often the first drug given to women who cannot get pregnant. Clomiphene can help women who don't ovulate get pregnant by stimulating the ovaries to produce an egg and ovulate. The exact mechanism of clomiphene is not well understood, but in women who produce estrogen, it increases certain hormones (LH, FSH). This is turn causes the follicle to grow, it triggers the LH surge and thus induces ovulation.