Hormone medicines

Clomiphene

A fertility medicine whose effects and risks depend on the patient and indication.

Established medical uses

Also known as: Clomid · clomifene

Clomiphene molecular structure — Structure reference · C26H28ClNO

Practical use

Applying the explained evidence

Where it fits: A fertility medicine whose effects and risks depend on the patient and indication.
Put the information into practice: Do not transfer an ovulation protocol to male hormone recovery. The source does not establish a reliable post-cycle recovery regimen, and a fertility goal needs more than one hormone measurement.
Diagnosis before a number: Write down the symptoms, the reason a test was ordered, and the medicines already used. An isolated hormone result is a question to interpret, not a stand-alone reason to add another medicine.
Keep this limit in view: The abstract reports statistical significance without the numerical size of every change. This entry does not invent missing kilograms or hormone values. The trial does not establish a universal post-cycle recovery protocol.

MedlinePlus: Clomiphene

Obesity-associated secondary hypogonadism

Overview

Clomiphene is used to induce ovulation in some forms of female infertility. It is also sometimes used for male infertility. Those are distinct clinical situations; a change in hormone testing does not independently prove fertility has improved.

Risks and limitations

Visual blurring, spots, flashes or double vision need medical attention. Headache, flushing and gastrointestinal symptoms may occur. Ovarian stimulation has additional risks, including multiple pregnancy and serious abdominal symptoms; these do not apply identically to every patient.

How to read this

Do not transfer an ovulation protocol to male hormone recovery. The source does not establish a reliable post-cycle recovery regimen, and a fertility goal needs more than one hormone measurement.

Research explained

Obesity-associated secondary hypogonadism

Who was studied

78 symptomatic men with obesity and low testosterone; single-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study lasting 12 weeks.

What was found

Testosterone, estradiol, LH and FSH increased. Body-composition measures improved and one sexual complaint improved; HDL decreased. No statistically significant between-group endothelial-function difference was found.

What it cannot establish

The abstract reports statistical significance without the numerical size of every change. This entry does not invent missing kilograms or hormone values. The trial does not establish a universal post-cycle recovery protocol.

Read the original study

Clomiphene is not interchangeable with enclomiphene

Clomiphene contains two isomers, enclomiphene and zuclomiphene. Trials of isolated enclomiphene concern a distinct intervention. Familiar names and a related mechanism do not make formulations, effects or safety evidence interchangeable.

Supporting source