Clomiphene is used to enhance female fertility. Use of clomiphene increases levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which in turn causes the ovaries to bring more eggs to maturity. Clomiphene is particularly helpful for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Possible Helpful Interaction

The supplement N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown promise for enhancing the effectiveness of clomiphene. A double-blind study enrolled 150 women with PCOS for whom clomiphene had not been effective.1 Half were given NAC at a dose of 1.2 g per day, while the other half received placebo. All participants continued to receive clomiphene. The results showed that use of NAC significantly improved both ovulation rate and pregnancy rate.

Possible Helpful Interaction

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine employs complex combinations of herbs. Several studies conducted in China reported that use of such combinations can enhance the effectiveness of clomiphene.2-6 Unfortunately, none of these studies achieved the minimum standards necessary for scientific validity.