Our Chicago network member Lesli Bitel-Koskela sent me this great article about myoinositol, a nutrition supplement that was recently studied in comparison to metformin for its effect on anovulation and infertility.
In a study with 120 women who were required to have both a PCOS diagnosis and confirmed 14 to 16 months infertility prior to starting the research protocol, half were randomly assigned to a regimen of 1,500 mg metformin daily, while the rest were assigned a combination regimen of 4 grams myoinositol and 400 mcg folic acid. Here's how their stories played out.
Metformin 50% restored spontaneous ovulation, and 18.3% of those who did, achieved pregnancy. Total pregnancies for the 60 women: 5.
Myoinositol 65% restored spontaneous ovulation, and 30% of those who did, achieved pregnancy. Total pregnancies for the 60 women: 12.
My thoughts:
1. Myoinositol is a metabolic intermediate, and it's relatively inexpensive (looks like about 78 cents per 4 g dose as described above).
2. It certainly makes sense to try this first before moving into metformin.
3. If it doesn't succeed in achieving ovulation and pregnancy on its own, it certainly wouldn't hurt to use it in conjunction with metformin, hopefully achieving more effects with metformin on lower doses less likely to cause the horrible side effects our readers consistently complain about.
4. If you choose to try this regimen, be sure to include both the myoinositol and the folic acid, as it was not clarified which of the two is the most active one, or whether they work in conjunction.
5. This is a different compound from d-chiro-inositol, a popular supplement with women who have PCOS. Both appear to have benefit, as research evolves, we'll understand the particulars.
Lesli, I can guarantee you made a lot of readers happy by sharing this!
Readers, if you do experience success with this, please come back and share with us so those coming along behind you can benefit.
If you're REALLY interested in this, over the weekend I'll talk about where you can find myoinositol in food.
Raffone E, Rizzo P, Benedetto V. Insulin sensitiser agents alone and in co-treatment with r-FSH for ovulation induction in PCOS women. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2010;26(4)275-280.