Did you know that Myo - Inositol is essential for our health??
Myo - Inositol for Female Fertility
The follicular micro-environement is an important determinant of oocyte development
based on the findings of one important study (source: 1). Dr. Chiu stresses that in infertility
treatment it all starts with an healthy egg. The study concludes: „we propose that
higher concentrations of Myo – Inositol and Estradiol in human follicular fluid appear
to play a role in follicular maturation and provide a marker of good quality oocytes.“
Findings of another study suggest that the addition of Myo - Inositol to folic acid in
non PCOS-patients undergoing multiple follicular stimulation for in-vitro fertilization
may reduce the numbers of mature oocytes and the dosage of rFSH whilst maintaining clinical pregnancy rate (source: 2).
Myo – Inositol in combination with Folic Acid (the Vitamin B6) has demonstrated in clinical studies a significant improvement in testosterone, triglyceride and insulin levels, an important step to increase the chances of pregnancy (source: 3). INOCAPS® can be used twice daily and as a result it improved the quality of oocytes and ovulation was more regular.
Even in severe conditions like PCOS, Myo – Inositol has established its role. PCOS effects around 20% of all women of childbearing age (source: 4). PCOS leads to elevated testosterone levels and a decrease in regular ovulation with viable eggs. These PCOS women in particular can benefit from taking Myo - Inositol as a food supplement in combination with Folic Acid (INOCAPS®).
Let us have a look at fertility. It all starts with an healthy egg. To become
pregnant, a women need a regular menstrual cycle, regular ovulation and
a healthy oocyte (egg). What does research say about the effects of Myo –
Inositol?
Regarding regular menstrual cycles and ovulation:
In one Italian study conducted in 2007, researchers followed 25 women
with oligo-amenorrhea (irregular menses) or amenorrhea (no menses)
diagnosed with PCOS. Myo - inositol and folic acid were given twice daily
(product called INOCAPS®). Those treated had at least one menstrual
cycle, and of these, seventy two percent continued ovulating normally.
Forty percent of the women became pregnant and the study concluded
that, “Myo-inositol is a simple and safe treatment that is capable of restoring spontaneous ovarian activity and consequently fertility in most patients with PCOS. This therapy did not cause multiple pregnancy.” (source: 5).
In another randomized double-blind clinical trial 92 women got either 400 mcg of folic acid as a placebo or 4 g myo-inositol plus 400 mcg folic acid (product called INOCAPS®). Researchers discovered that the ovulation rate significantly increased, as did the frequency of normal progesterone values in the luteal phase and estradiol levels in the Myo - Inositol group. All are pre-requisites for pregnancy and the researchers stated: “These data support a beneficial effect of myo-inositol in women with oligomenorrhea and polycystic ovaries in improving ovarian function.” (source: 6).
Regarding a healthy oocyte:
One study has shown that high levels of Myo -Inositol within follicles may be a marker
for good follicular development and good oocyte or egg quality. The researchers stated:
“We propose that higher concentrations of MI (Myo - Inositol) and E2 (estradiol)
in human FF (follicular fluid) appear to play a role in follicular maturity
and provide a marker of good quality oocytes. In conclusion,
follicles containing good quality oocytes have higher concentrations of
MI (Myo-inositol) in FF (follicular fluid)” (source 7).
Another study measured the effects of both Myo - Inositol and d-chiro-inositol (DCI) in women undergoing fertility treatments. The results showed that women who received Myo - Inositol had better quality and more mature eggs. They also had more pregnancies than those who took DCI (source: 8).
The combination of Myo – Inositol and Folic Acid has proven its important role at improving fertility.
Sources:
1. Chiu T. et al. Follicular fluid and serum concentrations of Myo – Inositol in patients undergoing IVF: relationship with oocyte quality. Human Reproduction 2002;17(6): 1591-1596
2. Lisi F. et al. Pretreatment with myo-inositol in non polycystic ovary syndrome patients a pilot study. ReprodBioEndo 2012; 10(52):1-7
3. Gerli S, Mignosa M, Di Renzo GC. Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2003;7(6):151–159
4. Knochenhauer ES, Key TJ, Kahsar-Miller M, Waggoner W, Boots LR, Azziz R. Prevalence of the polycystic ovary syndrome in unselected black and white women of the southeastern United States: a prospective study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;83(9): 3078–3082
5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17952759
6. http://www.europeanreview.org/pdf/458.pdf
