How effective is Clomid? I've been trying to concieve for over 2 1/2 years and am planning on starting Clomid in September. I'd love to know the success rate, is it pretty effective the first month out?

The success rate of Clomid varies dramatically with the reason for its use. In someone who has not conceived after 2 1/2 years of trying, a full infertility evaluation is needed before one can determine the cause of the infertility. Clomid is generally used in patients who are not ovulating, ovulating irregularly or have a Luteal phase defect (an inadequate amount of progesterone secreted by the ovary after ovulation). In patients such as these where the Clomid corrects the underlying issue, and assuming no other problems exist, the success rate is very good in the first few months, although an exact percent in hard to quote as different couples conceive at different rates. If a couple is not evaluted fully prior to use of Clomid, there may be other factors that interfere with the couple's ability to conceive.

Answered by Dr. Lynn Friedman, M.D.