Before Purchasing Clomid: Prepare for Pregnancy Costs

Clomid is used to induce egg production in women who do not produce eggs naturally. It is often one of the first therapies used by couples having difficulty conceiving. It is taken by mouth, and is relatively inexpensive compared to other therapies that may come later.

Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) costs are modest. The average cost of a cycle without insurance ranges from $35 to $70 depending upon dosage. If you are having trouble conceiving, your doctor may start you with a Clomid cycle first, as it is relatively inexpensive, and taken orally.

You will either conceive, or you graduate to more expensive infertility treatments. Either way, it pays to think ahead a few steps to make conceiving and bringing home a baby safer and more affordable.

• Clomid Pregnancy - how supplemental maternity insurance pays for itself
• Tax deductible infertility expenses - cut your prices by ⅓ or more
• Purchase Without Prescription - the rules change; see how
• Side Effects - multiples and birth defects

Clomid pregnancy is your goal. Clomiphene is used to induce ovulation in women who do not produce eggs but wish to become pregnant. It works in the same manner as estrogen, a female hormone that causes eggs to be developed and released.

Success rates for patients taking Clomiphene are relatively high in part because it is employed as a first line therapy. It is generally not prescribed for more than six cycles. If you are unable to get pregnant at this point, you may need to explore other treatment options. Keeping expenses low is paramount, as your ability to get pregnant is often dictated by how long resources last.

Between 40% and 80% of women taking Clomid will be successful in achieving ovulation. Of this group about half will be able to conceive within the six month prescription limit. This places the odds of conception at an average of 30%.

If your gynecologist expresses optimism that you will conceive while taking Clomiphene, it makes sense to purchase supplemental maternity insurance before starting your drug therapy. When bought prior to conception, you lock in maternity leave pay, and provide security for any complications during pregnancy, and common side effects.

More recently, Clomiphene has begun being prescribed to men diagnosed with low sperm count, or poor motility. The pituitary gland is stimulated to produce more and higher quality sperm. Even if you are taking Clomid for male infertility issues, it still makes sense to lock down mom’s income during her hoped for maternity leave.

Unreimbursed medical expenses for infertility are tax deductible. You can lower the price you pay for Clomid, or any other fertility drug or treatment with a rebate from the federal government in the form of lower taxes.

For most patients the best savings comes via your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Schedule A allows you to deduct expenses, but only amounts above 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Clomid is fairly inexpensive, so it is unlikely that total expenditures will reach this high. Your FSA provides first dollar savings.

Purchase your prescription drugs using funds from your FSA. Your prices will be reduced by the percentage of federal, state, and FICA taxes you pay. Some pharmacies will even allow you to use your flexible spending debit card when you buy online.

If you are looking to purchase Clomid without a prescription your costs may be higher in the long run.

Buying Clomid without a prescription means you may lose any tax saving advantages through a flexible spending account or by taking a deduction on your 1040. These savings are available only when prescribed by your doctor.

Purchasing any fertility drug without a prescription suggests that you may be underinsured. Perhaps your prescription drug coverage is poor, or your health plan has deductibles making it costly to see a doctor to get a prescription. If this describes your situation, you may want to find an alternative plan: one that at least provides maternity coverage. Your resulting condition may be far more costly than a doctor visit or two.

Side effects of taking Clomiphene Citrate fall into three categories: direct effects while taking the drug, multiple pregnancy (Clomid Twins), and birth defects. You may experience of variety of symptoms most of which are fairly mild, but may end up costing lost income, another reason to purchase short term disability while trying to conceive. Some symptoms include:

• Hot flashes
• Bloating and discomfort - severe cramping may require you to tap into accumulated sick days at work, time you might need later on
• Weight gain - a hidden expense if you need to purchase new clothing
• Mood swings
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Blurred vision - impaired vision may restrict your ability to work, a potentially expensive side effect

The most common side effect is a multiple pregnancy. Clomid pregnancies result in twins 7% of the time, and triplets .5% of the time. Multiples are frequently born premature. Your infants may spend time in Neo Natal Intensive Care (NICU) leaving you with unexpected medical bills. Hospital indemnity insurance is a great way to address this exposure.

Birth defects are fairly rare. Studies conducted by the CDC have concluded that there may be an increased risk of abnormalities in the brain, esophagus, abdominal wall, skeletal structures, and heart. Although rare these defects represent another hidden cost of taking any drug. Be sure to factor in any lost income associated with caring for a seriously ill infant.