Clomid for Men: Uses & How it Works
Over the last few decades, fertility drugs like Clomid® and treatments like IVF (in-vitro fertilization) have made the life-changing difference between starting a family or not.
Clomid (the brand name for clomiphene citrate) is an FDA-approved medication for female infertility. But some medical providers prescribe Clomid for men off-label if they’re dealing with infertility or low testosterone levels (male hypogonadism).
Clomid boosts luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the body. The result? An overall increase in sperm and testosterone production. But seeing the full results can take time — often weeks or months.
Looking into fertility treatments or medication for low testosterone? Here, we’ll tell you if Clomid can help, signs the medication is working, and side effects you should know about.
What is Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) for Men?
Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is in a class of drugs known as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). The medication is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat male factor infertility and low testosterone in men.
This means that although Clomid isn’t approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for men, it’s commonly prescribed by healthcare providers anyway.
For now, Clomid is only FDA-approved for the treatment of two hormonal imbalance-related fertility issues in women. Both have to do with how the female body ovulates, or releases an egg from the ovary:
Anovulatory infertility (or anovulation). This means no egg is released during the menstrual cycle. In other words, ovulation doesn’t happen.
Oligo-ovulatory infertility (or oligo-ovulation). These fertility issues are related to irregular egg releases, meaning ovulation happens but not in a predictable cycle.
These fertility issues may be caused by a variety of factors, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or prior birth control use. In any case, they’re very specific types of infertility.
With both anovulation and oligo-ovulation, the cause of infertility is a lack of normal ovulation. And in either scenario, Clomid helps induce ovulation.
When it comes to Clomid men’s medication, however, there’s less clarity about how it’s used and how effective it is.
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How Does Clomid Work for Men?
The drug competes with estradiol (a version of the hormone estrogen) to act on estrogen receptors in the body. This amps up the production of (LH) and (FSH), the hormones responsible for making testosterone and sperm in the testes.
Due to its ability to support spermatogenesis (aka sperm production), healthcare providers commonly prescribe Clomid for men struggling with signs of infertility.
According to research, many patients see an increase in sperm production within about three months of using clomiphene.
Clomiphene is also possibly effective in treating hypogonadism — also known as low testosterone or “low T.”
This feature has occasionally been used as a performance enhancer by healthy athletes and bodybuilders to boost muscle mass by increasing serum testosterone levels.
How Long Does It Take for Clomid to Increase Sperm Count?
There’s a fairly straightforward timeline in which this medication will “kick in” for women, but things are a little less predictable when it comes to Clomid for men.
Because of the length of time it takes for a sperm to be created and used in the ejaculation process, Clomid can take several (as in three to four) months to work. It might take even longer for some guys — everyone’s different.
You’ll start taking Clomid and have check-ins with your healthcare provider to see how your body is responding to the medication. Through testing, they can tell you if and when it starts working.
Signs Clomid Is Working
Clomid has been proven to successfully boost sperm concentration (the amount of sperm you make) and sperm motility (how well sperm swims). But outcomes can vary — and again, it might take longer for some men to see results.
Here are a couple of signs Clomid is working:
Successful conception. The most obvious sign that Clomid for fertility is working is that your partner gets a positive pregnancy test after trying to conceive.
Rising testosterone. Generally, Clomid is beginning to work if your testosterone levels or your sperm count are rising. But again, it can take a few months for that to happen.
A healthcare provider can run tests to see if you’re experiencing hormonal changes and increased sperm production.
It’s going to take a lot of patience — something that can be difficult if you’re experiencing side effects or have been on a fertility journey for a while.
Clomid Dosage for Men
A healthcare provider might give you 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) of Clomid to start. Then they may increase or decrease your dosage as needed based on lab results or side effects you’re experiencing.
Your provider will work with you on an optimal dosing strategy for your needs. It might include days on (taking the medication) and days off (not taking the medication).
Some men continue taking the medication until it’s no longer needed — which means different things for different people, of course. If you’re using it for male infertility, that’ll mean a successful pregnancy for you and your partner.
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Clomid Side Effects in Men
Full disclosure: Clomid side effects can be pretty rough.
For men specifically, there’s some limited research suggesting Clomid can increase the risk of testicular tumours. So, if you and your healthcare provider decide it’s the right treatment for you, ask about the best way to monitor for these.
Other potential side effects of clomiphene include:
Hot flashes
Gynecomastia (breast growth)
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Dizziness
Fatigue
Mood swings
Worsened psychiatric symptoms
Some Clomid symptoms can be a result of overdose. And many, like nausea and dizziness, are dose-dependent and can get worse the more you take.
So make sure you take Clomid exactly as prescribed. No fiddling around.
Serious side effects of Clomid include:
Pancreatitis
Vision loss
Liver damage
If you experience any of these, seek medical attention immediately.
Also, clomiphene shouldn’t be used if you’re dealing with uncontrolled thyroid disease, a pituitary gland tumour, or adrenal dysfunction.
Alternative Treatments to Clomid for Male Fertility
Male factor infertility is a complicated condition caused by any number of factors associated with reproductive health. As a result, there’s no single effective treatment that’ll fix your problems — at least, not one we can recommend right now.
The best course of treatment will be recommended by a healthcare professional after they’ve done some significant testing to determine the cause(s) of your infertility.
A heads up: Their medical advice will likely include changes to your lifestyle if there are any areas where those habits might increase your risk of infertility.
Lifestyle changes to boost male fertility might include:
Quitting smoking or drinking less alcohol
Avoiding recreational drugs
Lowering your stress levels
Improving your nutrition or taking dietary supplements to address a nutrient deficiency
Not using potentially toxic lubricants
Losing or gaining weight (obesity is a major contributor to infertility)
Some research says constrictive underwear and other tight clothes might be a contributing risk factor for infertility in men. While we’re not convinced this is a primary cause of infertility, wearing looser, breathable clothing can’t hurt.
Though treatment of male infertility can be stressful, options are available. Clomid is just one potential solution, but a fertility specialist can go over many more with you. Keep the conversation open and trust their guidance. Good things take time.
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A Final Word on Clomid for Men
Clomid men’s medication can be an effective alternative to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for the treatment of low testosterone — and it can have fewer side effects.
If you’re experiencing male infertility or need fertility treatments for low sperm count, addressing the problem is the first step to finding a solution that works for you.
Before you take action, remember these few pieces of wisdom on Clomid for men:
Male infertility is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s not representative of your masculinity. And while healthy lifestyle changes can help, infertility doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.
You can do something about it. In many cases, male infertility can be fixed. Talking to a healthcare professional about your concerns, discussing health issues, and sharing details about how long you’ve been trying to conceive — all of this will help you get a tailored, you-specific solution to the problem.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.