| Title | Myo-inositol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a novel method for ovulation induction. | | Author(s) | Papaleo E, Unfer V, Baillargeon JP, De Santis L, Fusi F, Brigante C, Marelli G, Cino I, Redaelli A, Ferrari A | | Institution | IVF Unit, Gynaecological-Obstetric Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy. papaleo.enrico@hsr.it | | Source | Gynecol Endocrinol 2007 Dec; 23(12):700-3. | | MeSH | Adult
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Folic Acid
Humans
Infertility, Female
Inositol
Live Birth
Ovulation Induction
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Vitamin B Complex
| | Abstract | Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often characterized by chronic oligo- or anovulation (usually manifested as oligo- or amenorrhea), and hyperandrogenism. In addition, 30-40% of PCOS women have impaired glucose tolerance, and a defect in the insulin signaling pathway (inositol-containing phosphoglycan mediators) seems to be implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. PCOS patients are subfertile as a consequence of such ovulatory disorders and often need drugs, such as clomiphene citrate or follicle-stimulating hormone, for ovulation induction, which increases the risk of multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. We hypothesized that the administration of an isoform of inositol (myo-inositol), belonging to the vitamin B complex, would improve the insulin-receptor activity, restoring normal ovulatory function.Twenty-five PCOS women of childbearing age with oligo- or amenorrhea were enrolled in the study. Ovulatory disorder due to PCOS was apparently the only cause of infertility; no tubal defect or deficiency of male semen parameters was found. Myo-inositol combined with folic acid (Inofolic) 2 g twice a day was administered continuously. During an observation period of 6 months, ovulatory activity was monitored with ultrasound scan and hormonal profile, and the numbers of spontaneous menstrual cycles and eventually pregnancies were assessed.Twenty-two out of the 25 (88%) patients restored at least one spontaneous menstrual cycle during treatment, of whom 18 (72%) maintained normal ovulatory activity during the follow-up period. A total of 10 singleton pregnancies (40% of patients) were obtained. Nine clinical pregnancies were assessed with fetal heart beat at ultrasound scan. Two pregnancies evolved in spontaneous abortion.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. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Clinical Trial
Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 17952759 |
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