Knowing the Facts on Clomid and Cancer

Before using hormones to try to become pregnant, it is important to know the various risks and side effects that you may experience. There are a number of known side effects that occur as a result of using Clomid. Along with being aware of these immediate side effects, it's important to know about the long term effects of Clomid use.

Clomid and Cervical Cancer

Clomid has been shown, in a few studies, to be a protective measure against developing cervical cancer. The reason for this is not entirely clear to researchers, but one study did find that women who used Clomid had a lower risk of developing cancer than did those who weren't on Clomid. It is possible that this result is due to other factors, rather than the Clomid use, but it does create enough speculation to warrant another study. In general, women who are infertile have been found to have a lower risk for cervical cancer than their fertile contemporaries.

Clomid and Uterine Cancer

While the news is good on the link between Clomid and cervical cancer, it's not as hopeful with regard to uterine cancer. A recent study showed a link between the use of Clomid and an increased risk of uterine cancer. The National Cancer Institute conducted an extensive study on the link between the use of Clomid (clomiphene citrate) and uterine cancer for 8,431 women. The study was conducted between 1965 and 1988. The infertile women in the study were found to have a 56% higher risk for developing uterine cancer than were women without fertility issues. This risk was even more pronounced for women who had undergone treatments with clomiphene. Even after adjusting the data with regards to other risk factors, clomiphene was isolated as a predictor of uterine cancer. The risk also increased as the dose of clomiphene did. The risk was further increased for women who were followed for 20 years or more. The highest risk was found in women who were using Clomid, were obese, and had never been pregnant when they entered the study.

Clomid and Ovarian Cancer

At this time, only one study has found a correlation between the use of Clomid and ovarian cancer. In this study, Clomid was found as a negative factor only for women who took Clomid for more than one year. The cancer that was found as a result was known as ovarian cancer of low malignant potential, or borderline ovarian cancer. This early stage cancer is often quite treatable and curable. There are two ways to interpret the findings in this study, and certainly more studies should be done to collect more data. One interpretation is that Clomid increased the chance of these women developing cancer. The other interpretation is that these women were already prone to developing cancer and that the use of Clomid actually allowed for an earlier diagnosis when the cancer was at a more curable stage.

Clomid has been on the market for many years and has been approved by the FDA. As with any drug or medical therapy, there are always going to be risks involved and potential issues. It is up to you to decide how to interpret your risk and to discuss your infertility treatment options with your doctor as you deem necessary.