Myo-inositol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A novel method for ovulation induction
- 1 January 2007
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Gynecological Endocrinology
- Vol. 23 (12), 700-703
- https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590701672405
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.Keywords
This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
- Altered D-Chiro-Inositol Urinary Clearance in Women With Polycystic Ovary SyndromeDiabetes Care, 2006
- Genetic Modification of Bacillus subtilis for Production of d - chiro -Inositol, an Investigational Drug Candidate for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Polycystic Ovary SyndromeApplied and Environmental Microbiology, 2006
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Syndrome of Ovarian Hypersensitivity to Insulin?Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2006
- Polycystic Ovary SyndromeThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2005
- Ultrasound evaluation of PCO, PCOS and OHSSReproductive BioMedicine Online, 2004
- Effects of myo-inositol on the in-vitro maturation and subsequent development of mouse oocytesHuman Reproduction, 2003
- Effects of D-Chiro-Inositol in Lean Women with the Polycystic Ovary SyndromeEndocrine Practice, 2002
- Follicular fluid and serum concentrations of myo-inositol in patients undergoing IVF: relationship with oocyte qualityHuman Reproduction, 2002
- Prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Diabetes Care, 1999
- Polycystic Ovary SyndromeThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1995