Clomid works by stimulating the hormones that produce eggs and increasing a women’s chances of becoming pregnant. But are the touted Clomid success rates worth the risks to your baby’s health?
The FDA first approved the drug in 1967, and women have been using it as an infertility treatment ever since. But what many women may not know is that the drug is closely related to severe side effects, including microcephaly, heart defects, autism spectrum disorders, and many more. Clomid injury claims have been growing in number for several years now as research links the timing of a woman taking Clomid to her child’s early development when the drug likely caused a defect.
Category X Drug
The FDA has specifically listed Clomid as a Category X drug for woman who are pregnant. These medications notoriously cause increased birth defect rates, and pregnant women should always avoid them. The problem is that some women may continue to take it during the first weeks of pregnancy before they know that they have conceived.
Though doctors prescribe Clomid long before pregnancy occurs, the drug can potentially stay within your bloodstream during the first trimester. This means that while you’re not actively taking it, you may still expose your unborn child may to the harmful drug during crucial moments of development.
While exposure to a Category X drug like Clomid doesn’t guarantee that your child will be born with a birth defect, the risk is considered much higher. Women who have used this drug or are planning to use this drug should consult with their doctor about any concerns they may have. The more you know about potential risks, the better protected you and your child may be.
Clomid Success Rates
According to the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, when used properly the average chance of becoming pregnant while on Clomid is 5.6%-8.3% each month. This data comes from a 1998 study conducted on fertility treatments in couples with unexplained infertility. This is compared to the 1.4%–4.1% chance of pregnancy each month without treatment.
With such high Clomid success rates, many women turn to it for help. In some cases, women desperate to become pregnant will order Clomid on their own without the observation of a doctor. According to WebMD, birth defect risks in these instances may be 300% higher compared to fertile couples.
What The CDC Says About Birth Defects & Clomid Success Rates
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the key findings over a study which examined the use of clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and birth defects. It used data from the National Birth Defect Prevention Study in order to seek out evidence and expose a potential link between children born with birth defects and mothers who had taken Clomid.
According to the report, the CDC linked the following more serious birth defects to Clomid:
- Anencephaly
- Septal heart defects
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Esophageal atresia
- Craniosynostosis
- Omphalocele
- Dandy-Walker malformation
- Muscular ventricular septal defect
- Cloacal exstrophy
It’s important to note that these occurred in relatively small numbers, according to researchers. The CDC cautions the public to take this into consideration when analyzing the results. It’s also important to keep in mind that women with fertility issues may also have underlying health problems that could impact the findings.
Seeking Legal Help
If your doctor prescribed Clomid and your child has a birth defect, you may qualify for compensation. Find out today how an attorney may be able to help you seek justice from the drug company. Get a free case evaluation today.
Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.