In order for successful conception to take place, a variety of elements must work together. A healthy lifestyle, balanced hormone levels and good egg quality are important components of optimal fertility. A number of vitamins and nutrients have been found to aid female reproductive ability, including myo-inositol, which research has found to have a positive effect on female fertility.
Studies have shown that increased levels of myo-inositol in the follicular fluid during the three months prior to conception are a contributing factor in improved egg quality.
What is Myo-Inositol?
Myo-inositol is a vitamin associated with the vitamin B complex and is a bioactive substance significantly involved in processes such as cell growth. It also has a positive effect on hormone production, including that of insulin. Among other foods, this substance can be found in fresh fruits, whole grains, seeds, beans and liver. The body produces myo-inositol from glucose, but some women have difficulty synthesizing this vitamin from food sources, making it necessary to take it as a supplement. Myo-inositol is used to treat conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, depression, Alzheimer’s and infertility; especially in case of polycystic ovarian system (PCOS).
Myo-Inositol and Fertility
In one study, 25 women with PCOS were given a combination of myo-inositol and antioxidants over a period of five months while another 25 women were given a placebo. At the end of this period, the myo-inositol group had significantly more mature oocytes than the control group, and ovarian volume was reduced to a normal level.
Myo-Inositol with PCOS
PCOS is a metabolic disorder that affects about 5 to 8 percent of women of reproductive age. Those affected by the disease experience elevated levels of male hormones and a disrupted sugar and fat metabolism. As a result, irregular menstruation, enlarged ovaries due to cyst formation and poor-quality oocytes may occur, all of which are factors that significantly impair female fertility. Many patients with PCOS also struggle with insulin resistance and obesity.
Research has shown that myo-inositol regulates a number of cellular functions, including improved insulin utilization. It also promotes balanced hormone levels and regular ovulation. It is believed that myo-inositol increases the effectiveness of insulin, which in turn has a significant effect on ovulation. A 2015 study found that out of 50 women with PCOS, insulin resistance and anovulation, 29 showed signs of ovulation, and 11 became pregnant. The myo-inositol treatment improved insulin sensitivity as well as body weight and optimized ovarian activity in patients with this condition.
Myo-Inositol and IVF
A combination therapy of myo-inositol and melatonin can increase the success of fertility treatments. A 2016 study showed that treatment with myo-inositol and melatonin was able to optimize the egg quality in women whose previous in vitro fertilization (IVF) trials had failed due to poor egg quality. There was a significant improvement in the number of mature oocytes and the fertilization rate, and the number of high-quality embryos transferred was higher than in the previous cycle. For this reason, scientists recommend a standard dose of melatonin and myo-inositol before and during each IVF cycle.
Myo-inositol can help increase the fertility of women with PCOS, especially when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes. Therefore, affected women can benefit from supplementing with this substance. Generally, a daily dose of 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg myo-inositol is recommended.
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