Many patients ask if there is a natural alternative to Clomid. The short answer is that many natural treatments work just as well as, and in the vast majority of cases, MUCH better than Clomid. Clomid is a first-line drug used to treat infertility. It is often used in cases of PCOS with delayed or absent ovulation and in unexplained infertility, as the very first drug intervention. Clomid (also known as clomiphene), is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. It works by inhibiting the estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus (the area of the brain that controls the reproductive hormones).
Normally, estrogen is produced by the follicles or eggs as they grow and develop in a woman’s menstrual cycle. The estrogen levels increase as the follicle gets bigger and approaches the time of ovulation. The hypothalamus messages the pituitary gland to produce gonadotropins, the hormones that stimulate the egg to grow, produce estrogen and eventually rupture in ovulation. By cycle day 22, the estrogen and progesterone levels are quite elevated. The hypothalamus senses the high levels of hormones and stops stimulating the pituitary, preventing follicles from continuing to grow when implantation of a fertilized embryo should be happening.
When Clomid is used (usually for 5 days starting at day 5 of the cycle), the follicle grows as usual early in the cycle. However, the hypothalamus does not detect the high estrogen because Clomid blocks its estrogen receptors. Rather than slowing the production of gonadotrophins as it normally would, it continues to secrete more of them in a rapid pulsatile pattern, fooled by the low estrogen into thinking that the follicle needs more help to develop. This is the stimulation process of Clomid, which can sometimes result in more than one follicle developing in the cycle (Clomid cycles have a higher rate of multiples compared to natural cycles). The rapid pulsing hormone pattern eventually causes the egg to be ovulated, approximately 6-7 days after the course of Clomid.
Clomid does also have its dark side. It thins the endometrial lining and reduces the amount of fertile mucous. It also has a half-life of a week, meaning that the drug and it’s effects linger in the body for quite some time. This results in additive negative side effects, especially for patients doing more than one Clomid cycle in a row. And finally, Clomid raises the incidence of multiple birth tenfold, increasing the rate of complications during pregnancy and delivery.
A Natural Alternative to Clomid?
A natural alternative to Clomid can come in many forms. The first consideration should be to determine exactly why you are experiencing fertility challenges. Drugs like Clomid should never be used without finding out the reasons for your fertility struggles. Comprehensive testing should be completed in order to identify causes such as lack of ovulation or PCOS, thyroid related concerns, autoimmune infertility, poor egg quality, low ovarian reserve, luteal phase defect, endometriosis, metabolic or hormonal imbalances. If you’ve been grouped into the unexplained infertility category, underlying factors can nearly always be identified. With this in mind, optimal treatments to promote natural fertility can vary greatly.
But you didn’t think I was just going to leave you hanging, did you?
A brand new study, to be released in May 2013 compared a well-known natural therapeutic with Clomid. In this study, 100 Egyptian women with PCOS were split into two groups. The women would receive either Clomid, or a compound made from Cimicifuga racemosa, more commonly known as Black Cohosh. The fifty women assigned to the Clomid group received the drug for 5 days, as is often the case in clinical fertility treatment. The other fifty women received a dose of Black Cohosh for 10 days.
The results were impressive. The Black Cohosh group showed significant improvements in key gonadotropin markers such as LH and LH/FSH ratios. Not only that, but the Black Cohosh group had better progesterone levels, indicating stronger, healthier ovulation and greater chances of implantation.
The endometrial lining was significantly thicker in the Black Cohosh group, which makes sense considering that Clomid thins the endometrial lining for many women. Although it did not reach clinical significance, the pregnancy rate was also higher in the patients who received Black Cohosh, when compared to those who received Clomid.
Black Cohosh is enigmatic in its exact mechanisms of action. Long used as a women’s health therapeutic, it has been thought to contain phytoestrogenic components. Other studies have shown many different mechanisms of action, ranging from serotonin-like effects to anti-inflammatory effects. In fact, several studies have called into question the power or existence of phytoestrogenic compounds in Black Cohosh.
These studies indicate that other components of the plant may be the ones responsible for it’s key restorative actions. There is some evidence that Black Cohosh may actually have selective estrogen receptor modulator actions in the pituitary and hypothalamus.
Interestingly, PCOS is a condition with strong inflammatory and immunological components. Studies have found elevated cytokines within the follicles of women with PCOS. High levels of inflammatory chemicals such as Il-6 and TNF-alpha are also present, known to interfere with healthy fertility. Inflammation and autoimmune processes have profound effects on the female reproductive system.
Black Cohosh is able to reduce these inflammatory compounds. So this plant may act as an anti-inflammatory treatment with hormonal receptor activity, and mood boosting actions. Quite different from the simple phytoestrogen it was once thought to be!
This is not the first time that Clomid and Black Cohosh have gotten together in a study. You might also want to check out my other post on how Black Cohosh can actually minimize the negative side effects of Clomid.
This study illustrates that inflammation can influence a myriad of factors relating to ovulation and fertility. Even in the case where a medication is able to alter the hormones to induce ovulation, we see here that a compound that with added anti-inflammatory effects provides even better results.
It should be noted that Black Cohosh should be viewed as a prescription medication to be used only under the supervision of a physician. It should never be used by patients with compromised liver function and has numerous drug interactions.
Interestingly, PCOS is a condition with strong inflammatory and immunological components. Studies have found elevated cytokines within the follicles of women with PCOS. High levels of inflammatory chemicals such as Il-6 and TNF-alpha are also present, known to interfere with healthy fertility. Inflammation and autoimmune processes have profound effects on the female reproductive system.
Black Cohosh is able to reduce these inflammatory compounds. So this plant may act as an anti-inflammatory treatment with hormonal receptor activity, and mood boosting actions. Quite different from the simple phytoestrogen it was once thought to be!
This is not the first time that Clomid and Black Cohosh have gotten together in a study. You might also want to check out my other post on how Black Cohosh can actually minimize the negative side effects of Clomid.
This study illustrates that inflammation can influence a myriad of factors relating to ovulation and fertility. Even in the case where a medication is able to alter the hormones to induce ovulation, we see here that a compound that with added anti-inflammatory effects provides even better results.
It should be noted that Black Cohosh should be viewed as a prescription medication to be used only under the supervision of a physician. It should never be used by patients with compromised liver function and has numerous drug interactions.
References
- Kamel HH. Role of phyto-oestrogens in ovulation induction in women with
polycystic ovarian syndrome. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013 Jan 21. - Amato G, Conte M, Mazziotti G, Lalli E, Vitolo G, Tucker AT, Bellastella A,
Carella C, Izzo A. Serum and follicular fluid cytokines in polycystic ovary
syndrome during stimulated cycles. Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Jun;101(6):1177-82. - Qiu SX, Dan C, Ding LS, Peng S, Chen SN, Farnsworth NR, Nolta J, Gross ML,
Zhou P. A triterpene glycoside from Black Cohosh that inhibits osteoclastogenesis
by modulating RANKL and TNFalpha signaling pathways. Chem Biol. 2007
Jul;14(7):860-9. - Gonen Y, Casper RF. Sonographic determination of a possible adverse effect of
clomiphene citrate on endometrial growth. Hum Reprod. 1990 Aug;5(6):670-4. - Schmid D, Woehs F, Svoboda M, Thalhammer T, Chiba P, Moeslinger T. Aqueous
extracts of Cimicifuga racemosa and phenolcarboxylic constituents inhibit
production of proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated human whole blood. Can
J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009 Nov;87(11):963-72 - Schmid D, Woehs F, Svoboda M, Thalhammer T, Chiba P, Moeslinger T. Aqueous
extracts of Cimicifuga racemosa and phenolcarboxylic constituents inhibit
production of proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated human whole blood. Can
J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009 Nov;87(11):963-72 - Ruhlen RL, Haubner J, Tracy JK, Zhu W, Ehya H, Lamberson WR, Rottinghaus GE, Sauter ER (2007). “Black Cohosh does not exert an estrogenic effect on the breast”. Nutrition and Cancer 59 (2): 269–277.
- Lupu R, Mehmi I, Atlas E, et al. (November 2003). “Black Cohosh, a menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity and does not promote breast cancer cell growth”. Int. J. Oncol. 23 (5): 1407–12.
- Seidlova-Wuttke D, Hesse O, Jarry H, et al. (October 2003). “Evidence for selective estrogen receptor modulator activity in a Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) extract: comparison with estradiol-17beta”. Eur. J. Endocrinol. 149 (4): 351–62.
Dr. Fiona,
Thank you very much for posting the articles. I leaned a lot from them.
I am 42.7 year old trying for my first child, during the last three years I have had 4 m/cs. I have been having short cycles: 24 days, lighter period: 2-3 days and 2-3 days brown / pink spotting before period for a while. All those point to low quality eggs, which I am aware of. My day 3 FSH is high and E2 is low.
I tried evening primrose oil which extends my follicular phase by 2-3 days, but it has no effect on giving me a stronger ovulation, still spotting before period. What is you opinion on using Black cohosh? I have tried MACA which did more harm – shortened my follicular phase.
Thank you very much.
Trish
What would the appropriate dose for Black cohosh be?
Hi Trish, I have exactly the same problem – you described it perfectly. I am also the same age, with a similar history. My consultant advises chlomid, but I am determined to try to get my olvuation back on track without resorting to chlomid. Although if there no sign of ovation in the next few months, I might try it. What I’m doing … losing weight, daily exercise, agnus castus, magnesium glycinate, zinc picolinate, folate and B6 (I’m using the most effective forms of these vitamins). My regime is based on a lot of research – I’ve check that it’s ok with my doctor. Generally, the medical folk don’t rate this approach, but I’m not giving up … not yet! Have you had any success with your ovulation?
Hi Stephi, Hopping that you have had success with this approach. Have you had Ovulation this month? I am going through the same issue. My doc advised not to take clomid since she is suspecting a fibroid.
Dear Dr Fiona,
I have PCOS (but normal weight, BMI 19) and have been changing my eating habits as you advised in your book (which has become my bible). I also take metformin and inositol. This cycle I have been starting with black cohosh (20mg twice a day) which I am supposed to take for 12 days from day 2 of the cycle. My cycles are usually about 90 with ovulation after 70+ days. What would you recommend: should I take black cohosh until I ovulate? Should I really stop after 12 days or should I check on the follicles after 10 or 12 days?
Thanks, Victoria (trying to get a baby…)
I have PCOS. I did 3 clomid rounds with no results. I did black cohosh and got pregnant with a song healthy baby boy who is now 7 months. I love black cohosh and would recommend it to anyone. God sent blessing
How did you use it?
what about premature ovaian faliure