Has anyone had any experience of inositol for improving fertility please?

[LemonSqueezy0]

I've been researching this and it seems like it would promote fertility in my circumstances.. Does anyone have any experience or advice please?

[bananafish81]

I take it for PCOS alongside metformin. I was already doing IVF so no idea if it would help restore ovulation, but it can't hurt. Metformin is more effective than inositol if you have PCOS though

[LemonSqueezy0]

Thanks for the reply. My doctor mentioned metformin too. He said the production of insulin could be a factor to my infertility. I'm willing to try anything but feel im pumping myself full of pills on the off chance it helps

[bananafish81]

Well have you been diagnosed with PCOS?

There's no point taking medications unless they're indicated

It's very easy to diagnose PCOS. You need to have 2/3 of the following

1. Irregular or absent ovulation
2. Elevated testosterone blood levels or outward signs of excessive androgens (eg acne, excess facial hair)
3. Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound

I wouldn't be taking medications on a hunch they might help fertility

Have you had a proper fertility work up to identify what might be the cause of your infertility?

Day 3 bloods? Tubal patency test? Semen analysis? Pelvic ultrasound?

It's ridiculous to take metformin willy nilly on the off chance it might help without having a clear idea why it should or shouldn't be taken

[LemonSqueezy0]

I appreciate what you're saying and yes I've got cysts, and have had some removed previously as they got quite large.. I also have excessive facial hair. I've had my tubes tested, and there's an issue with one side only bit I should still be able to conceive. I ovulate like clockwork which has been confirmed by the necessary tests and I can feel Ovulation pain, ewcm changes etc. My doctor has given me Clomid, first 50mg for 3 months, a c now 100mg for 3 months and also metformin as I've got unexplained infertility. I'm not diabetic. My partners tests are all fine too. That's why I'm a bit confused, and worried about pumping myself full of tablets that have been prescribed, but are usually used for something else/specific situations. I'm willing to try anything but wanted some reassurance or advice really, as it seems a bit hit and miss approach to fertility...

[bananafish81]

Polycystic ovaries aren't the same as cysts - it's a misleading term, as all it means is multiple small follicles - ovarian cysts are something different

If you have excess facial hair then metformin could certainly be indicated, and would make sense to try

Clomid wise are you being monitored with follicle tracking to assess your response?

[LemonSqueezy0]

No, they said it wasn't necessary. I tried 3months at 50mg and as it didn't work they gave me 3months of 100mg and the metformin. They've said if these don't work we will have to go onto the ivf waiting list.
I'll have to do more research, thank you for the info!

[bananafish81]

If it's not being monitored how do they know the 50mg dose wasn't working? Clomid's job is to make you ovulate. If you're already ovulating then by definition you can't test to see if it's working by progesterone blood tests because you're already ovulating.

The higher the dose the more likely it can thin the lining, which can therefore make it harder to conceive if a fertilised egg can't implant

If the clomid is to generate more eggs, then how do they know how many follicles the clomid is stimulating without ultrasound?

[LemonSqueezy0]

It seems like they often prescribed Clomid for unexplained Infertility before putting you on the ivf waiting list, on the hope/knowledge it does help alot of people. They said I should have 6 cycles max to ensure my lining doesn't become too thin. I wish they would monitor me, and my follicles etc but they said it was unnecessary - if I didn't get a bfp it hadn't worked...

[motherchuckinhen16]

I cannot recommend inofolic enough. I've had 6 years of infertility and IVF hell. Within 3 months of my pcos diagnosis which was previously undiagnosed I conceived naturally. I also did no sugar or glut e n diet and went to an incredible reflexologist. Also followed SMEP. No other medication required. I have learnt there is a lot we can do to help our selves achieve normal cycles, periods and ovulation. Good luck x