Fertomid: What It Is, How It Works, and What Alternatives Exist

When you're trying to get pregnant and ovulation isn't happening the way it should, Fertomid, a brand name for clomiphene citrate, a medication that stimulates the ovaries to release eggs. Also known as clomiphene citrate, it's one of the most prescribed fertility drugs worldwide because it’s affordable, well-studied, and often works when nothing else has. Fertomid doesn’t add hormones to your body—it tricks your brain into thinking estrogen levels are low, which triggers the pituitary gland to release more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Those two hormones then tell your ovaries to grow and release an egg.

This makes Fertomid especially useful for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular cycles, or unexplained infertility. It’s not a magic pill, though. About 80% of women taking it will ovulate, but only about half of those will get pregnant within six cycles. That’s why doctors often pair it with timing intercourse, ultrasound monitoring, or even switch to other options if it doesn’t work after a few tries. You might also hear about clomiphene citrate, the generic form of Fertomid, which works identically but costs far less. Many patients don’t even realize they’re taking the same thing under a different name.

Other treatments like letrozole, gonadotropins, or metformin are often used when Fertomid fails or isn’t suitable. Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor originally for breast cancer, is now preferred by many doctors as a first-line option for PCOS because it has higher pregnancy rates and lower multiple birth risks. Gonadotropins are stronger but require daily injections and close monitoring. And metformin, a diabetes drug, helps some women with insulin resistance ovulate better, especially when combined with Fertomid. Each option has trade-offs in cost, side effects, and success rates.

Side effects of Fertomid are usually mild—hot flashes, mood swings, bloating, or headaches—but some women report blurred vision or ovarian hyperstimulation. It’s not for everyone. If you have liver disease, ovarian cysts, or a history of blood clots, your doctor will likely avoid it. And while it’s often used off-label in men to boost testosterone and sperm count, that’s still being studied and isn’t FDA-approved for that use.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just another list of drug names. You’ll see real comparisons—Fertomid vs. letrozole, Fertomid vs. clomiphene generics, how it stacks up against lifestyle changes or supplements. There are stories from people who tried it, what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they’d known before starting. No fluff. Just clear, practical info to help you understand your options and talk smarter with your doctor.