Does Clomid Cause Depression?
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Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this article we will discuss if Clomid causes depression, what is Clomid, how it works and its side effects.
Does Clomid Cause Depression?
No, Clomid does not cause depression but it does cause major mood swings, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety. These factors when combined could make a person irritated and frustrated which might feel like depression but is more like a sad mood. These symptoms persist as long as one takes the medicine. Once the medication is stopped, the symptoms also subside.
What Is Clomid?
Clomid, also known as Clomiphene Citrate is among the most prescribed fertility drug in the world. It is an ovulatory stimulating drug used to treat certain types of infertility and problems with ovulation in females, though it can also be used to treat infertility in males. It is often prescribed before the couples are referred to see a fertility specialist. Clomid is taken in the form of a pill, unlike the stronger fertility drugs which are in the form of injection.
It is used to treat irregular menstrual cycles, anovulatory cycles i.e. menstruation without ovulation and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) related infertility. It is sometimes also preferred because of its cost-effectiveness, though it’s possible that Clomid might not work and one might have to resort to other options that cost more.
It functions by tricking the body into feeling that the oestrogen levels are low, this causes the pituitary gland to increase the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). When the levels of FSH are high, the ovary produces egg follicles which further develop and are released during ovulation.
The pill is to be taken for a period of 5 days at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. There are various doses that are prescribed depending on how the doctor feels one will respond to the medicine. According to the reports of some further tests, one suggested of the time they should engage in intercourse for a successful conception.
Taking Clomid for too long might result in infertility because it decreases the quality of the cervical muscles and makes the lining of the uterus thinner. Weak cervical muscles restrict the easy movement of sperm through the cervix making conception difficult
Clomid And Its Emotional Impact
One of the most known side effects of Clomid is the serious mood swings it causes which have a name of their own-“Clomid Crazies”. While taking Clomid, 41% of women experienced depressed mood and 45% of women experienced mood swings. That’s almost half the women who take Clomid experiencing some type of mood disorder or disorientation.
Clomid crazies feel a little bit like PMS, even the bit with cravings, just prolonged and more intense. Some symptoms related to mood and emotions include-
· Anxiety
· Insomnia and night walking
· Irritability
· Severe mood swings
· PMS
How and on what intensity one experiences these symptoms depend on the individual’s hormonal system and the reaction of the body to the medication. The severity of these factors has a stronger effect if there has been a history of PMS and the tendency towards depression and anxiety.
Stress is another very important contributor to the Clomid experience. Infertility in itself can cause serious stress in addition to everyday stressors. Addition of the hormonal fluctuations, this time can get extremely difficult emotionally.
Clomid is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator. It increases the level of oestrogen in the body and this variation in oestrogen levels is the cause of PMS mood swings. One reason why one might experience feelings of depression is that the medicine is tricking the body into thinking that oestrogen levels are low. Low oestrogen levels can cause feelings of depression. So, it doesn’t matter if the oestrogen levels are actually low or not, Clomid makes the body believe they are and so the body reacts how it feels.
It is important to realise that what one might be feeling during the course of the medicine is not to be projected unto themself and know that it’s the medicine and that these symptoms are temporary and will subside once the due course is over.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed if Clomid causes depression, what is Clomid, how it works and it’s side effects.
FAQ: clomid and depression
Does Clomid make you emotional?
Yes. Clomid can make you emotional. Clomid is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator. It increases the level of oestrogen in the body and this variation in oestrogen levels is the cause of PMS mood swings. Infertility in itself can cause serious stress in addition to everyday stressors. Addition of the hormonal fluctuations, this time can get extremely difficult emotionally.
Does Clomid make your breasts sore?
Sore breasts or breast tenderness is a common side effect of Clomid. This is often confused with early pregnancy symptoms but it is only a result of increased oestrogen levels caused by Clomid. It’s like when going through PMS, only more severe.
What is the side effect of taking Clomid?
The most common side effects resulting from Clomid are-
· Hot flashes
· Bloating
· Enlarged and tender ovaries
· Breast tenderness
· Nausea
· Anxiety
· Insomnia and/or night walking
· Vaginal dryness
· Mood swings
· Fatigue and headaches
Does Clomid increase the chances of infertility?
Taking Clomid for too long (for more than 6 cycles) might result in infertility because it decreases the quality of the cervical muscles and makes the lining of the uterus thinner. Weak cervical muscles restrict the easy movement of sperm through the cervix making conception difficult
Are Clomid pregnancies high risk?
Clomid pregnancies can be risky if the dosing is not carefully timed. It also stops the growth of new blood vessels if Clomid is taken during pregnancy. Clomid has been labelled by the FDA as a drug that should not be used in pregnancy due to the high risk of major birth defects it can lead to. There is mounting evidence that suggests that Clomid may increase the risk of birth defects in an unborn child.
Are Clomid babies normal?
Clomid has the highest risk of birth defects out of all the fertility treatment methods. Clomid stops the growth of new blood vessels which can lead to abnormalities. There is a chance that a baby conceived through this method might develop some irregularities such as anencephaly (unfinished brain and skull), contraction of the aorta, craniosynostosis (premature fusion of skull), oesophagus atresia ( part of oesophagus missing at birth), omphalocele (abdominal organs are outside the body), and septal heart defect ( hole in the wall of the heart).
Citations
https://www.verywellfamily.com/whats-with-the-clomid-crazies-1959966
https://www.verywellfamily.com/clomid-treatment-101-1960183
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/how-does-clomid-work#Taking-Clomid
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