Enclomiphene
About Enclomiphene
Enclomiphene contains enclomiphene, a medicine used to increase low testosterone levels in certain men with secondary hypogonadism. In this condition, the testes may be able to make testosterone but do not receive enough hormone signals from the brain. This is different from primary hypogonadism, where the problem is mainly within the testes.
This medicine helps the body produce its own testosterone by increasing the natural hormone signals that stimulate the testes. Unlike testosterone replacement therapy, it does not provide testosterone from outside the body and may help maintain the hormone signals needed for sperm production. This can be important for men who wish to preserve fertility.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Before starting treatment, your doctor may confirm low testosterone with blood tests and check other hormones, such as LH and FSH, to understand the cause. Semen testing may also be considered if fertility is a concern. The dose and length of treatment depend on your hormone levels, treatment goals, response, and follow-up results.
Some people may experience side effects such as headache, nausea, hot flushes, or dizziness. Tell your doctor promptly if you develop new vision problems, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or pain or swelling in one leg. Regular follow-up is important so your doctor can check your testosterone levels and decide whether treatment remains suitable.
Tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take and about any liver problems, prostate problems, history of blood clots, or other health conditions. Depending on your age and health, your doctor may also monitor your blood count and prostate health during treatment. Enclomiphene's approval and availability vary by country, so it should be used only under medical supervision according to local prescribing requirements.
Uses of Enclomiphene
Medicinal Benefits
Enclomiphene may help raise your body's own testosterone levels while maintaining the natural hormone signals involved in sperm production. The benefits can vary depending on the cause of low testosterone and your response to treatment.
- Supports natural testosterone production: This medicine encourages the testes to produce testosterone rather than providing testosterone from an outside source.
- May improve symptoms of low testosterone: As testosterone levels improve, some men may notice improvements in symptoms such as low energy, although individual responses vary.
- Helps maintain sperm production: Unlike external testosterone, which can reduce sperm production, enclomiphene helps maintain the hormone signals needed for sperm production. This may be important for men who wish to preserve fertility.
Directions for Use
- Enclomiphene can be taken with or without food as prescribed by your doctor.
- It is advised to take Enclomiphene once daily; however, follow your doctor's advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow Enclomiphene as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew or crush Enclomiphene.
Storage
Side Effects of Enclomiphene
Common Side Effects (Usually Mild)
- Headache
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Hot flushes
- Dizziness
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- New or sudden changes in vision
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one leg
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Other severe or unusual symptoms that develop during treatment
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Confirm the cause of low testosterone: Low testosterone can have different causes. Your doctor may repeat morning testosterone measurements and check LH and FSH before deciding whether this treatment is appropriate.
- Discuss fertility goals: Tell your doctor if you are trying to have a child or want to preserve fertility. Semen testing may be considered before and during treatment when fertility is important.
- Keep up with monitoring: Your doctor will monitor testosterone and may check other hormones during treatment. Depending on your age, health, and treatment plan, additional checks such as a blood count, haematocrit (the proportion of red blood cells in your blood), or prostate assessment may be considered.
- Discuss prostate monitoring: PSA (a blood test used as part of prostate assessment) may be checked when appropriate based on your age, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment plan.
- Report new symptoms: Tell your doctor promptly about new vision problems, chest pain, breathing difficulty, leg swelling, or other severe or unusual symptoms.
- Review treatment regularly: There is no fixed treatment duration that applies to everyone. Your doctor will review your hormone levels, symptoms, fertility goals, side effects, and overall response to decide whether treatment should continue.
Drug Interactions
- Testosterone products (e.g. testosterone gel or testosterone injections): External testosterone can suppress LH and FSH and reduce sperm production, which works differently from enclomiphene's aim of stimulating the body's own hormone system. Use them together only if specifically directed by your doctor.
- Other hormone treatments: Tell your doctor about any medicines that affect testosterone, oestrogen, LH, FSH, or fertility so they can decide whether they are appropriate with this treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol while on Enclomiphene therapy is not recommended.
Pregnancy
unsafeEnclomiphene is not recommended for use during pregnancy and may cause birth defects. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Breast Feeding
cautionEnclomiphene should be used with caution during breastfeeding as it can affect the amount of milk produced. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionIn case you experience any side effects such as blurred vision or dizziness, refrain from driving after taking Enclomiphene.
Liver
cautionEnclomiphene may worsen pre-existing liver disease. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Kidney
cautionEnclomiphene should be used with caution in those with pre-existing kidney disease. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Children
not applicableEnclomiphene is unsafe to use in children under 18 years of age. Please consult your physician if you have any concerns.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay physically active: Regular exercise, including strength training, can support muscle strength and overall health when you have low testosterone.
- Get enough sleep: Aim for regular, good-quality sleep, as sleep is important for normal hormone function and general wellbeing.
- Maintain a balanced diet: Eat a varied diet containing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein-rich foods, and healthy fats to support overall health.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Excess body weight can contribute to low testosterone in some men. Ask your doctor for advice about a suitable weight-management plan if needed.
- Limit excessive alcohol: Heavy alcohol use can affect hormone and reproductive health, so discuss your alcohol intake with your doctor.
Special Advise
- Do not discontinue taking Enclomiphene abruptly or without the advice of the physician.
- Please know that your doctor may order blood tests to check your hormone levels while you are on Enclomiphene.
- Bring any mood swings or mood changes to your doctor’s attention. Please see a mental health care professional if need be.
- Before starting Enclomiphene, speak to your doctor about the risk of multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets) and ectopic pregnancy (where the baby grows outside the uterus).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Female Infertility: Female infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant despite frequent unprotected sex for one year at least (or 6 months, if 35 years of age). Age, weight, hormones and other organic causes are usually responsible for infertility. However, infertility is mostly a treatable condition.
FAQs
Enclomiphene is used to treat Female Infertility.
Enclomiphene contains Enclomiphene, which belongs to a group of medicines called ovulation stimulants. It works by stimulating the release of eggs from the ovary (ovulation).
Enclomiphene is not recommended for those suffering from liver disease. Keep your doctor informed in case of a history of liver disease.
While Enclomiphene does regulate your menstrual cycles, it is not routinely indicated in the treatment of heavy periods (menorrhagia). Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Infertility can be due to various root causes. While Enclomiphene definitely helps improve pregnancy rates by stimulating ovulation, it is best to consult your gynaecologist for concerns around fertility and conception.
Those with a history of cancer (especially hormone-related or breast cancer) need to exercise caution before using Enclomiphene. Please consult your doctor for further concerns and inform them of your entire medical history.
Enclomiphene may cause common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, heavy bleeding at the initial stage, weight gain and headaches. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen.
Take Enclomiphene exactly as directed by the physician. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it.
You will most likely ovulate within 5-10 days after taking Enclomiphene. To improve the chance of becoming pregnant, you should have sex while you are ovulating.
It is not recommended to take Enclomiphene for more than 3 treatment cycles. If you do not get pregnant even after 3 treatment cycles, the doctor might your condition further and advise accordingly.
Secondary hypogonadism means the testes may still be able to make testosterone, but they are not receiving enough stimulation from hormones produced under the control of the brain. This usually results in low testosterone together with low or inappropriately normal LH levels.
In secondary hypogonadism, the problem is mainly with the hormone signals that stimulate the testes. In primary hypogonadism, the main problem is within the testes themselves. This difference matters because enclomiphene depends on the testes being able to respond to increased hormone signals.
Your doctor will usually confirm low testosterone with appropriate morning blood tests and may check LH and FSH to help identify the cause. Other tests may be needed depending on your symptoms and medical history. Semen analysis may be considered if fertility is important.
There is no single treatment duration for everyone. Your doctor will decide how long treatment should continue based on your hormone levels, symptoms, treatment goals, fertility plans, side effects, and ongoing benefit.
Yes, follow-up testing is important. Your doctor may monitor testosterone and other hormones such as LH and FSH. Depending on your age, health, and treatment plan, other checks may include a blood count, haematocrit, and prostate assessment such as PSA.
No. Testosterone replacement provides testosterone from outside the body and can suppress the hormones that stimulate sperm production. Enclomiphene instead increases LH and FSH, encouraging the testes to produce testosterone.
No. Enclomiphene's regulatory status and availability vary by country. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the approval and availability of the specific product where you live.
Enclomiphene has mainly been used for secondary hypogonadism in men. It should not be used for another person or condition unless specifically prescribed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Your doctor may repeat blood tests, review the cause of your low testosterone, check whether you are taking the medicine correctly, and decide whether continuing or changing treatment is appropriate. Do not increase the dose on your own.
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