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Clomifene citrate is a recommended treatment for ovulation disorders caused by problems such as polycy
stic ovaries or polycystic ovary syndrome (NCCWCH 2013:18). It may be used on its own or in combinatio
n with another drug called metformin, which you take daily in several doses (NCCWCH 2013:147-8). It used to
be used in some cases of unexplained infertility. However, it's no longer recommended for thi
s, as there's a lack of evidence that it makes any difference compared to trying to get pregnant naturally (
Hughes et al 2010, NCCWCH 2013:18).
Clomifene citrate may also be used in cases of unexplained infertility (NCCWCH 2004: 58), although there'
s a lack of evidence that it really helps (Hughes et al 2010). Clomifene citrate blocks the effect of the horm
one oestrogen in your body. This blocking effect tricks your body into bumping up levels of two other horm
ones that are essential for ovulation. These two other hormones are:
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
luteinising hormone (LH)
FSH causes the eggs in your ovaries to ripen, ready for release. LH triggers the release of one or more m
ature eggs from the ovary follicles. The egg or eggs then move down into one of your fallopian tubes.
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