1. In vitro maturation (IVM)
With traditional IVF, patients typically inject themselves with hormone medications for eight to 10 days to stimulate the ovaries into producing multiple eggs for fertilization. But hormone injections aren’t always the best choice for PCOS patients because they have an increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – a condition that causes the ovaries to become swollen and painful.
Instead, a new better option might be in-vitro maturation. With in vitro maturation (IVM) eggs are removed from the ovaries and are collected when they are still immature. They are then matured in the laboratory before being fertilized.
Because the eggs are immature when they are collected you don’t need to take as many drugs before the eggs can be collected like with conventional IVF. In addition, women with PCOS are good candidates for this procedure because they have many immature follicles which lead to lots of little immature eggs.
The treatment is still considered experimental, so it’s not covered by insurance. Neway Fertility hopes to change that with an ongoing IVM study that has shown success rates of 80 percent so far. For more information or to enroll in the study, visit NewayFertility.com.
2. Letrozole
With clomiphene citrate, the most commonly used agent for ovulation induction in women with PCOS, only about half the women who ovulate end up having babies. So scientists have been focusing on new ways to improve fertility in women with PCOS.
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article looking at these new developments. They write, “Dr. Eisenberg, Penn State’s Dr. Legro and the Reproductive Medicine Network have been running a clinical trial to improve fertility. In a presentation to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in October, they showed that early results indicate a medication called letrozole, a drug commonly used for in vitro fertilization, appears to result in more live births than clomiphene.”
To read more visit the article here. In addition to covering new developments it also provides some good facts and figures about PCOS.
3. Inositol
PCOS Diva is a great resource for the latest PCOS news, and she recently shared some exciting new research. She spotlighted Dr. Antonio Simone Laganà, who has been conducting studies around the supplement inositol. Inositol is a naturally occurring substance produced in the human body that belongs to the vitamin B complex group. It is a precursor to a number of ”signaling molecules” that essentially tell cells how to behave.
According to the article there are nine different types of inositol that are found naturally in many foods such as fruits, nuts and beans. Of the nine different types of inositol, two have insulin-sensitizing capabilities: myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol.
Dr. Lagana told PCOS Diva, “According to our recent data analysis, both the isoforms of inositol are effective in improving ovarian function and metabolism in patients with PCOS, although myo-inositol showed the most marked effect on the metabolic profile, whereas D-chiro-inositol reduced hyperandrogenism better.”
You can read a summary of his findings, as well as check out all the wonderful resources PCOS Diva has to offer, at the site.
Pearl says
Where would one be able to find these isoforms of inositol?
Mary Figgins says
IVM sounds so interesting and so much better for the patient as well. When I was doing all my IVF’s I wish that was around. It takes a toll on one’s body.
Natalia says
Where can we find these supplements? IVF is expensive. We have been trying to conceive for over 4 years with no luck.
erica says
You can find myo inositol in “Pregnitude” it really worked to regulate my ovulation so I have regular periods ! all it is is a dietary supplement that is a mix of folic acid and myo inositol