Counter-Acting Endometrial Thinning

What Clomid Is and What It Does

Clomid, introduced clinically in 1967, has become the most used and one of the least expensive medications for the treatment of infertility. The most common application of this hormonal drug is for the induction of ovulation, to correct irregular ovulation, to increase egg production and to correct a condition known as luteal phase deficiency. It is regularly used, successfully, with PCOS patients and those with other ovulatory disorders.

Clomid has an influence upon the four hormones produced in the body which affect ovulation, GnRH, FSH, LH and estradiol. Clomid tricks the body into a state where it acts as though estrogen levels are low, so it triggers production within the hypothalamus of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which, in turn, stimulates the pituitary gland to increase production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The end result is ovulation, which hopefully will culminate in a fertilized egg and pregnancy.

The Downside of Clomid

An anti-estrogen, Clomid has two parts or isomers. One of the isomers leaves the body within a week of cessation of the drug and the other remains in the body, acting as an anti-estrogen for up to six weeks. It also has an effect upon the lining of the uterus, causing a diminished response. According to Dr. Geoffrey Sher, MD, Executive Medical Director and co-founder of SIRM^TM, and an internationally renowned expert in the field of Assisted Reproductive Therapy, if a woman has less than three follicles of greater than 15mm and an estrodiol level of below 400 pg/ml, she will not develop an adequate lining.

He goes on to say that, "given the build-up of the anti-estrogen isomer, women who take Clomid for more than 3 months in a row, regardless of ovarian response, will virtually always have a thin lining. Clomid acts in this way, as a relative contraceptive after 3 consecutive months of use, regardless of age or ovarian response. This is mainly due to the lining thinning effect."

Sex Drug With A New Twist

Dr. Sher has suggested that Viagra as a possible help in the issue of thinning endometium. He says, "Viagra improves blood flow to the uterine lining and thereby improves estrogen delivery." By administering Viagra vaginally there are no side-effects and it is absorbed locally, reaching the uterus in high concentrations. Viagra works to improve blood flow by encouraging the release of nitric oxide in the uterus. Because it is gone in 12 hours, there is no further release of nitric oxide after that period of time. Since remnants of nitric oxide may be harmful to the embryo development, nitro-glycerine is discontinued and the vagina is irrigated to remove all traces of the suppository. Blastocyst transfer (the planting of the fertilized egg) occurs 7-8 days later, so there is no longer nitric oxide in the body at the time of the transfer.

So, it turns out that Viagra has some serious female application and may, in fact, help with ovulation and the thinning of the uterine lining.