The effect of Clomid on Progesterone Levels
Q: I'm taking 100 mg. of Clomid to get me to ovulate, and I finally had a progesterone level of 34. Is this too high?
A: Clomid works by filling estrogen receptor sites in the brain which have to reach a certain threshold before stimulating an ovulation. The filled receptor sites cause an easier reach to that threshold, and that's why it helps ovulation. It's actually a pretty natural way to overcome infertility, assuming that all other aspects of infertility have been ruled out.
In my practice, I start women out on Clomid dosages of 50 mg. during five days in the early part of their cycle (usually days 4-8 or 5-9). If they ovulate, then they will release progesterone, but we like to see it at a level that's greater than 15.
Your progesterone level of 34 is not as meaningful as the fact that it's over 15. It's an all-or-none determination. If women don't ovulate on that initial dosage, it can be increased to 100 mg., then to 150 mg. After that, an infertility specialist should take over, at least in consultation.
Another consideration is that you can't stay on Clomid indefinitely. There is a certain "burn out" time after which it won't work. So your doctor may want to give you a break after a time if there's no pregnancy yet.
Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo is a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist who has been in private practice since 1981
and has served as Chief of the
Medical Staff at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in greater New Orleans. Dr. DiLeo's new book The
Anxious Parents' Guide to Pregnancy is now available.
Related Links
- Article: IVF Research: Want to Have a Baby? Just Relax!
- Advice: Does Clomid Cause Nausea?
- Slideshow: Fertility Health in the News
- Quiz: Which Fertility Tools Are Right for You?
- Poll: Do you plan to see a genetic counselor before you conceive?
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