Question

My doctor explained that Clomid works by "tricking the brain into thinking that estrogen levels in the body are low." She explained that this is what leads to the extra stimulation of the ovaries to encourage eggs to be released. One of the references for Clomid said this happens because there is less negative feedback. Can you explain to me how this "trick" and the decreased negative feedback are related? Why would these factors lead to the stimulation of the ovaries?

Answer 1

Answer:

Clomid tricks the body because it tells the brain that estrogen levels are low, thereby leading to higher production of this hormone  

Explanation:

There are many types of hormones that are regulated by the negative feedback mechanism (where hormone feeds back to decrease its production). Clomid is a drug used to treat female infertility by making the body think that the concentration of estrogen is low, which induces the secretion of Follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones by the pituitary gland. The estrogen hormone exerts negative feedback on the Gonadotropin-releasing (GnRH) hormone, which is responsible for the release of FSH and LH. High FSH levels stimulate the growth of follicles in the ovaries, which will be released during ovulation.