Why do obs have my wife and i do 3 rounds of clomid before we can get a referral? i doubt this medicine will help. my wife ovulates normally, so i doulbt it will help. all test results have been normal so far. we've been trying for 1.5 years.

Clomid (clomiphene): Clomid (clomiphene) only helps ovulation. If she already ovulates, then not much help and can be a negative factor. You need a thorough work up including semen analysis and a test for tubal blockage, ultrasound and even possibly laparoscopy.

Simple & Effective: With unexplained infertility (nl semen analysis, nl labs, tests, ovulation, tubes, ultrasound, etc), the most cost effective treatment is Clomid (clomiphene) to improve ovulation prior to more aggressive & expensive treatments. It's also successful in most patients so it warrants a trial in dosages up to 150 mg. Since we start @ 50 mg, then 100 mg; you can see how 3 cycles are commonly done prior to referral.

I'm not sure: You're right if your wife ovulates regularly then giving Clomid (clomiphene) by itself without combining it with intrauterine insemination will not be very helpful. The referral to the reproductive endocrinologist will aid in further evaluation and treatment.