6 Pharmacist-Backed Tips for What to Do (and What to Avoid) While Taking Clomid for Fertility

Clomid (clomiphene) is one of the most affordable fertility medications. It’s often one of the first medications recommended if you’re having trouble becoming pregnant.

Clomid is a safe and effective treatment for most people. But it’s important to take it the right way to get the most from it. Here, we’ll go over six pharmacist-backed tips for what to do and what to avoid while taking Clomid.

1. Make sure you’re taking Clomid during the right part of your menstrual cycle

In most cases, you’ll start taking Clomid on or about the fifth day of your menstrual cycle. The first day of your period (bleeding) is considered Day 1 of your cycle. So you’ll start Clomid about 4 days after your period starts. This timing is important to help Clomid work with your natural ovulation cycle.

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During a typical menstrual cycle, your estrogen levels rise from Day 1 to Day 14 or so. This signals the ovaries to mature an egg and get it ready to be fertilized. Clomid works by increasing the levels of estrogen and other hormones that help develop a healthy egg. Taking it during the beginning of your cycle when this usually happens helps Clomid work in sync with your body.

If you aren’t having regular periods, your prescriber may have you take a progestin, such as medroxyprogesterone (Provera), to jump-start Day 1 of your period. In other cases, they may tell you to start taking Clomid at any time. An irregular period, or not having one at all, is often a sign that your hormone levels aren’t following a typical pattern. So the timing of Clomid isn’t as crucial in this case. 

2. It’s best to take Clomid at the same time every day

It doesn’t matter what time of day you take Clomid. But it is important to be consistent with the time you choose.

For the development of a healthy egg, the body depends on a delicate balance of hormones. Any change in this balance can affect ovulation. Taking Clomid at the same time every day helps you remember to take it and avoid fluctuations in your hormones. This improves the chance of ovulation, which in turn improves your chances of conception.

Clomid isn’t a pill you’ll take every day on an ongoing basis. In most cases, you’ll only take it for 5 days per cycle, which can make it harder to remember. Setting a daily alarm or using a medication reminder app are helpful options to consider to avoid missing any doses.

3. Tracking ovulation can help you get the most out of taking Clomid

Clomid helps a healthy egg mature and develop. But in order to become pregnant, the mature egg must be fertilized once it's released from the ovary (ovulation). Ovulation usually occurs about 5 to 10 days after starting Clomid. However, this window varies from person to person. Tracking your ovulation can help ensure you have intercourse or take other steps to fertilize the egg once it’s released.

There are several ways to track ovulation, including:

• Using an ovulation predictor kit: These home tests measure certain hormones in the urine that signal when ovulation occurs.

• Tracking your body temperature: Your body temperature is naturally lower during the first half of the menstrual cycle and then goes up slightly when you ovulate. If you use this method, take and record your body temperature first thing in the morning every day.

• Monitoring your cervical mucus: As the levels of hormones in the body change, so does your cervical mucus. Larger amounts of clear, slippery mucus are more common right before ovulation.

There is no one right method for tracking ovulation. You may find using a combination of these methods works best for you. Keep in mind that you’re most fertile in the 3 days before ovulation as well as on the day ovulation occurs. Since sperm can live for up to 5 days after intercourse, having sex every 2 to 3 days until ovulation occurs can help ensure you don’t miss your fertile window.

Good to know: Ovulation may not always happen while you’re taking Clomid. In some cases, your prescriber may increase your dose to 100 mg per day to see if ovulation occurs. But if ovulation isn’t detected after 3 cycles of Clomid, a different fertility treatment is probably a better option for you.

4. If needed, choose a fertility-friendly lubricant during intercourse while taking Clomid

Many couples use lubricants to make sex more comfortable or enjoyable. However, many common over-the-counter (OTC) lubricants can harm sperm. This can reduce the chances of a successful pregnancy, even if Clomid works to produce a mature egg.

In response to this issue, the FDA created a special category for fertility-friendly lubricants, called the PEB category. These lubricants require specific testing to ensure they won’t affect sperm function. They’re often labeled as “sperm safe” or “sperm friendly.”

Studies are mixed on whether the choice of lubricant may impact your overall chances of becoming pregnant. But since some are known to affect sperm, it’s a good idea to avoid using a lubricant or choose a fertility-friendly option if possible. 

5. There are ways to manage side effects while taking Clomid

Here are some ways to manage common Clomid side effects if they occur:

• Nausea: Try taking Clomid with a meal or small snack. Another option is taking Clomid at bedtime. You may be less likely to have nausea while you’re asleep.

• Sore breasts: Apply heat or ice to help reduce pain. You could also try a well-fitting sports bra, as sometimes extra pressure can help relieve soreness.

• Mood changes: Getting quality sleep and exercising regularly can help improve your mood. Fertility treatments can be stressful, so incorporating regular meditation or other stress-relieving practices into your routine can help. 

• Mildly swollen or bloated abdomen: Regular exercise and plenty of fluids can help keep bloating to a minimum.

In rare cases, a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can occur while taking Clomid. Mild OHSS symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating. In more serious cases, you may experience rapid weight gain (more than 10 lbs in 3 to 5 days), nausea, and severe stomach pain and swelling. 

In most cases, your fertility team will keep an eye on your ovaries to make sure they aren’t overstimulated while taking Clomid. But be sure to let them know if you start to notice pain or swelling in your abdomen. It’s best to catch OHSS early to avoid serious complications.

You should also let your healthcare professional know about any vision changes you have while taking Clomid. This isn’t a common side effect, but it can be serious if not addressed. 

Good to know: Many Clomid side effects overlap with early pregnancy symptoms. And some medications used along with Clomid, such as Ovidrel (choriogonadotropin alfa), may cause a false positive on an OTC pregnancy test. It’s best not to assume pregnancy (or a lack thereof) based solely on how you’re feeling after taking Clomid. Getting a pregnancy test from a healthcare professional is the most reliable method.

6. Avoid alcohol, cannabis, and smoking while taking Clomid

Alcohol, cannabis, and cigarettes can all affect your fertility, which can make it harder to become pregnant. Alcohol can decrease the number and quality of your eggs. Cannabis may change the lining of the uterus, making it more difficult for the fertilized egg to attach. And smoking cigarettes can reduce ovarian function and disrupt hormone levels.

To help Clomid work its best, you should avoid these substances if you’re trying to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare team for support if you feel unable to stop using any of them on your own.

Tips for saving on Clomid

There are ways to save on Clomid, which is available as a brand-name medication as well as generic clomiphene. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase 30 tablets of Clomid at an exclusive cash price of $156.

• Save with a copay savings card: You may be eligible to pay as little as $70 ($135 without insurance) for Clomid using a savings card from the manufacturer.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Emilie White, PharmD

Emilie White is a clinical pharmacist with over a decade of hospital pharmacy experience. Her professional areas of interest include critical care as well as infectious and autoimmune diseases.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia has 16 years of pharmacist experience. She previously held positions as a community pharmacist, pharmacy manager, and hospital pharmacist.

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