The Hemp Connection [Search results for ovulation induction] 

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.

Scientists have reported that myo-inositol can be a safe supplement to use to promote ovulation and fertility.

I have known about inositol for years, as it is also a supplement that can be helpful in the treatment of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.

Since 80% of the women with PCOS coming to my website are reporting some kind of anxiety, depression, and/or mood swings, it seems that using inositol as part of your overall health and fertility program may not be a bad idea. Even if you don't have a DIAGNOSIS of anxiety, it's so easy to feel stressed out when all you want is to conceive!

The supplement can be a bit expensive…but it's far cheaper than in vitro fertilization. And it's simply a form of a water-soluble B vitamin. If it can't hurt, and it might help, at least one issue you are looking for help with…why not give it a shot?

Papaleo E, Unfer V, et al. A novel method for ovulation induction," Gynecol Endocrinol, 2007; 23(12): 700-3.

Harvey BH, Brink CB, Seedat S, Stein DJ. Defining the neuromolecular action of myo-inositol: application to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2002 Jan;26(1):21-32.

Palatnik A, Frolov K, Fux M, Benjamin J. Double-blind, controlled, crossover trial of inositol versus fluvoxamine for the treatment of panic disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2001 Jun;21(3):335-9.

This is an interesting study out of Finland about women who sought IVF treatment. The researchers were interested to know if a history of induced abortion in any way might be connected to fertility treatments later on in life. A total of 19,429 charts were reviewed, which is a significant sample size. Twelve percent of women seeking IVF treatment and 11% of women seeking ovulation induction treatment reported having had a previous abortion. According to the researchers, this was statistically significant. The researchers encouraged that women receiving treatment for abortion be advised of the possibility of infertility at a later age. They also encouraged practitioners providing fertility treatments to be thorough in their assessment of patients and be sure to ask if this is part of a patient's reproductive profile.

There are many reasons why this relationship may occur. The important thing is, if it describes YOU, and you have not shared this information with your physician, it is important to be sure you do so. Every little piece of information you have to share allows your physician to develop a treatment plan with the best possible chances of succeeding.

Hemminki E, Klemetti R, Sevón T, Gissler M. Induced abortions previous to IVF: an epidemiologic register-based study from Finland. Hum Reprod. 2008 Jun;23(6):1320-3. Epub 2008 Mar 27.