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Clomid is classified as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). This means that the drug binds to estrogen receptors in the brain, tricking the body into believing that estrogen levels are low. As a result, the brain increases the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the development of eggs within the ovaries.
In a typical menstrual cycle, the release of estrogen from developing follicles communicates to the brain that there is a need for FSH in order for ovulation to occur. In conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or in instances of anovulation, high estrogen levels may prevent the brain from signaling the need for FSH. Clomid helps to counter this miscommunication, allowing for proper ovarian function.