Clomid side effects are mild for most people. While Clomid is usually well-tolerated, as with any drug, you should be aware of the potential side effects before treatment. Here is a list of the more common Clomid side effects. If you experience side effects not on this list, or your side effects are especially severe, you should contact your doctor.
Twins and Multiple Pregnancies
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The risk of getting pregnant with twins or more may be the most well-known side effect of Clomid. During clinical trials of Clomid, 6.9% of pregnancies were twin pregnancies, 0.5% were triplets, 0.3% were quadruplets, and 0.1% were quintuplets. To reduce the chances of having twins while taking Clomid, your doctor should always start you on the lowest dose first, 50 mg, before trying higher doses.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes (or, in official 'doctor speak,' vasomotor flushes) are a common side effect of Clomid, with 10% of women experiencing them, according to clinical studies. When you’re having a hot flash, you may suddenly feel extremely warm, experience face flush, break out in a sweat, and have a more rapid heartbeat. After a hot flash, you might feel chilled (especially if you broke out in a sweat). Hot flashes are also known as night sweats if they happen while you’re sleeping. A hot flash can be a bit unnerving the first time it happens, but it’s not a dangerous event -- just an uncomfortable one.Bloating and Abdominal Discomfort
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Another very common side effect of Clomid, bloating and abdominal discomfort occur in about 5% of women taking Clomid. During treatment, it may help to wear clothing that isn’t too tight around the waist. The bloated feelings should pass once your treatment cycle is over. Of course, if you experience more than moderate discomfort and cramps, call your doctor.
Weight Gain
Weight gain isn’t as common as bloating, with less than 1% of women reporting weight changes while taking Clomid. But it’s a side effect that you hear often through the infertility grapevine. If the weight gain is connected to bloating, then your weight should go back to normal after treatment.Mood Swings
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Mood swings are another side effect of Clomid that in clinical studies didn’t appear as often as I’d imagine (less than 1% of women). But that’s difficult to believe, given how many women have told me the mood swings were the worst side effect of taking Clomid. Mood swings may mean feeling more emotionally sensitive, tearful, or even depressed or anxious, though infertility itself can bring on these feelings without drugs. It helps to be forgiving and gentle with yourself, and to practice good self-care, during treatment cycles.
Nausea and Dizziness
About 2% of women experienced nausea and vomiting while taking Clomid. This is another side effect, which may be lessened by taking the medication in the evening. If the nausea is intense, or you have trouble keeping down food and fluids, be sure to report this to your doctor. Severe nausea can also be a sign of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a rare but potentially dangerous side effect of fertility drugs.Headaches
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A little over 1% of women in clinical trials reported headaches as a side effect of Clomid. If you’re experiencing headaches, it may help to take the medication in the evening, instead of the morning, so you can sleep through them. (If your doctor told you to specifically take the medication in the morning, you should ask first.) You should also be sure to get plenty of fluids, since mild dehydration can also lead to headaches.
Abnormal Menstrual Bleeding
Just over 1% of women in clinical trials reported spotting, or abnormal menstrual bleeding, as a side effect of Clomid. This can drive some women crazy, since they see spotting and think, “Oh, it’s implantation spotting!” But especially if you’re taking fertility drugs, the spotting in the middle of your cycle can be related just to the drugs and doesn’t necessarily indicate pregnancy. If the spotting is accompanied by other symptoms, like abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or fever -- or something just doesn’t feel right -- contact your doctor.Breast Tenderness
Breast tenderness is another potential side effect of Clomid, occurring in 2% of women during clinical trials. This is another side effect that can have women wondering if they’re experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, but usually it’s just a drug side effect.Vaginal Dryness or Thick Cervical Mucus
This is a frustrating potential side effect of Clomid, as thick or absent cervical fluid can interfere with achieving pregnancy. Cervical mucus is needed to help transport the sperm into the cervix. If Clomid causes thick cervical mucus, this can decrease the chances of getting pregnant. You should let your doctor know if this happens during treatment. He can consider whether Clomid is the right drug for you, or find a way to treat or bypass the problem (like with IUI treatment).
