For some women Clomid and fertility go hand in hand. If you've been trying to conceive unsuccessfully your doctor may want to introduce you to it. Clomid is the name brand for the drug clomiphene citrate. It's also prescribed under the brand called Serophene. For this article I will refer to it as Clomid.

Clomid is the number one prescribed drug for women suffering with a fertility problem like having a luteal phase defect. Clomid helps to bring on a strong ovulation, and often helps women who are not ovulating to ovulate. Clomid helps by improving fertility.

Below are the 3 main reasons that Clomid is prescribed:

1. Cycles that are irregular
   Clomid helps increase the chances of ovulation taking place by regulation the reproductive cycle. If you don't ovulate or you don't ovulate on a regular basis Clomid may help. The Clomid comes in different dosages and most physicians will start off with the lowest possible dose for a couple of months, increasing it if no positive results happen.
    
2. Hormone Dysfunction
   A hormonal dysfunction is when the body either doesn't produce enough or produces too much of certain hormones. Two of the reproductive hormones - LH (lutenizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) are the main players in ovulation. When these hormones are deficient, ovulation does not occur; the egg will not mature and therefore not released. It takes a decent balance of LH and FSH in order for a good ovulation to happen.
   
   Estrogen is responsible for prompting the LH and FSH to be released in the right amounts. Clomid is basically structured similar to estrogen. Clomid helps to prompt the release of the LH and FSH in order to bring on ovulation.
   
   Normally Clomid will be prescribed if a woman is having her bleeding cycles but no sign of ovulation. Be aware of the incidence of multiples are slightly higher when taking Clomid.
    
3. Luteal Phase Defect
   The luteal phase is the time from ovulation to menstruation. A normal luteal phase is over 10 days long with no spotting. A luteal phase defect is when it's less than 10 days or when there is spotting towards the end of the phase or both. If you conceive with a luteal phase defect, you have a greater chance of the pregnancy ending in miscarriage.
   
   Clomid helps to make the luteal phase of normal length by increasing the production of progesterone, which is the hormone that helps to maintain the uterine lining, thus helping to maintain a pregnancy.

With Clomid and fertility there are some risks. Because Clomid prompts the hormone receptors of the body there are some unpleasant side-effects. These include bloating, hot-flashes, migraine headaches and weight gain. You should only take Clomid as prescribed by your physician.

There are other natural alternatives to Clomid. These include herbs and vitamins that help to regulate the reproductive hormone system. Evening primrose oil, natural progesterone cream, vitamin B6 and vitex are a few that aids in this. And as a result of their work with the reproductive hormones they should not be combined with Clomid. Vitamin B6 is the exception and can be safely taken with clomid.

Be sure to discuss all options with Clomid and fertility with your physician. Come up with the best course of action for pregnancy achievement for you.