About to TTC with PCOS inopholic or inopholic alpha?

[Steph149]

Hi all. We’re finally ready to start TTC, 36 with PCOS (diagnosed via blood test and ultrasound). I’ve been on the contraceptive pill for the last 10 or so years, so to be honest can’t really remember what my periods were like other than the fact that they were irregular (maybe every 2 months or so and I think fairly short!) but did happen.

Anyway, we’ve agreed to start trying soon. Obviously I have no idea what will happen, or how badly (or not!) my PCOS will impact my fertility!

My doctor has been great and has told me to go straight in as soon as we’re ready to start and she’ll refer me straight to assisted conception, but I’m guessing there might be a fairly long waiting list so want to do what I can in the meantime!

I’ve seen various posts on here talking about inofolic or inofolic alpha and I’m wondering whether it would be worth going straight onto this when I stop taking my contraceptive pill (planning to do this right after Christmas)

Has anyone got any recent experience of either? Was it worth it? Would I be better with one over the other? And where did you buy it? (It slightly worries me that the only sources I can find are online!)

Hiya there!

And welcome!! I bet it’s been both exciting and nerve wrecking to join the TTC journey! I hope I can help in any way!

I also have PCOS diagnosis but despite my extensive research these past 6 years of TTC I’m afraid inofolic alpha has slipped through my research cracks :( I blame the fact that I’ve kind of gotten used to the supplements I’m already taking and I haven’t researched much else in the last 2 years.

But I was able to see that this supplement has myo-inositol (which I’m well familiar with) as well as alpha-lactalbumin and based on trials it seems to have very promising results.

Now as for your question, I’ve personally have gotten amazing results with myo-inositol itself (I’ve been taken MyOva for almost 2 years now) and based on the research I’d highly recommend you get on your preferred combo supplement as soon as you want to TTC. I know it takes some time for your periods to regulate with most of these, so waiting seems impractical.

In terms of sourcing it, I’ve not had personal experience with buying Inofolic Alpha itself but I’ve been buying MyOva online for a couple years now, and I’ve been getting my CoQ10 and B12 supplements from Amazon 😅 I use the reviews to guide me tbh and now that I’ve looked into Inofolic Alpha (and based on the reviews) I don’t see why not to trust the website (fertility family) but again I’ve personally not used it yet. Hopefully someone on here who has can reassure you more on that front.

In terms of the difference between Inofolic and Inofolic Alpha, as I’ve not take either I couldn’t comment on the difference between the two but as a supporter for the benefits of myo-inositol I can genuinely say personally I’ve seen great improvement in my periods regulating as well as my ovulation, so I highly would recommend a supplement containing this. The amounts of Myo-inositol in the recommended daily amount is pretty much what I’ve been taking with MyOva so on that front all sounds good!

In addition to MyOva, I was also given metformin and Folic Acid by my GP the month I fell pregnant and I honestly believe in my case the metformin was a game changer along with CoQ10 which I had started taken a few short months prior to falling pregnant for the first time in 6 years. It unfortunately did not end well but as someone who had never prior to this had even seen a positive, I can honestly say it really helped to restore some balance in my hormones whilst TTC with PCOS.

I know my advice hasn’t been very specific to Inofolic Alpha but I hope it helps!

Sending lots of baby dust ✨ your way and I’m around if you ever need any support! 💕

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and for all of the really helpful information Iz91!!!

It’s really helpful to hear about peoples experiences with inofolic or any other supplement/medication, I feel like I’m so new to this (despite the fact I’ve known about my PCOS since I was about 20!). I’ve been talking about it with friends recently and I’ve been so surprised how many women I know who have been diagnosed (usually after years of TTC) and the general lack of knowledge around what might work!

I’d seen MyOva mentioned here as well, if you don’t mind me asking, did you notice any difference with any other PCOS symptoms? (Obviously the main aim is to sort my cycle which I’m assuming is going to be a bit of a mess, I realised after I posted last night that it’s been closer to 15 years continuously on the pill, so no idea what things will be like when I stop ). But if it was to help with shifting some stubborn weight that I can never seem to lose no matter what I do, or reduce some excess hair then that would be an added bonus!

You’re right, I should get something ordered and start ASAP, just slightly overwhelmed and been down a bit of a rabbit hole reading scientific studies, but I need to bite the bullet and do something now!

So sorry to hear that your pregnancy didn’t end well, and sending you lots of baby dust in return! ❤️

No worries at all! Glad I could help at all!

So whilst writing my reply I lost a whole draft I wrote, after an accidental browser reload so let’s see if I remember what my response was 😂😂

I remember the start of my TTC journey very well and I was much the same, down an endless rabbit hole, largely dependent on what I could find on forums and the odd research papers 😅 It was frustrating especially when I knew through girl chats that other friends had also struggled with symptoms of PCOS or their own diagnosis! But the info you can find now compared to when I started is a lot more believe it or not 😅😅 That being said I have yet to come across a GP that would recommend anything other then the pill / healthy diet/exercise or metformin, for PCOS 😓 I’ve even had a few odd looks when I mention the other supplements that are recommended by research found online, almost like I’ve visited a witch doctor instead of following the advice of perfectly reliable clinical trials 😅🙄

Alas, whilst we wait for governmental guidelines and the medical community to catch up, I’m so glad there is a rich community of women around online, who have gathered on websites like this, for both support and experiences and have shared them like we are doing now! 😊

15 years is indeed a lot time to have been on the pill, and honestly if you remember your cycle to have been quite erratic prior to you starting this, I wouldn’t leave it up to chance in terms of starting the supplements for TTC. But I’d be remiss not to note that your body is likely to be going through quite a lot of significant changes, so if you are unsure about how your cycles were and you have the patience to wait, I’d give it a couple of months before starting the supplements just to see what your body naturally does… I reckon it will be anyones guess how your body will handle being off the pill, and a lot might have changed since you were 20.

In terms of the other symptoms of PCOS, much to my dismay I’ve not noticed a significant difference in weight or hirsutism 😓 the myo-inositol did a LOT for regulating my cycle, I mean it still is no 28 day cycle but I was able to have a nice 35 day average and I always knew it was definitely coming. Before starting the supplements I would go 2-3 months with nothing (sometimes more) and it would be an unpleasant surprise whenever AF did decide to show up 😩😅

With my cycle regulated I was also able to track my ovulation better and through this I discovered I ovulated quite late (another issue on its own 😩) and make the necessary decisions around this to improve my TTC chances.

I will have to say personally speaking metformin did the most in terms of my food cravings, and actually allowing my exercise routines to do more then just maintain my weight. This doesn’t mean the supplements won’t have a positive effect at all for some, just my personal experiences is that it did not make a dent in either stubborn weight or stubborn plucks of hair where they ain’t ought to be 😩🙄 I think the weight and hirsutism are very much tied together and it may be that only the loss of the former may help the latter, but don’t quote me on this because hormones can just be wacky it’s PCOS after all 😅

I know it may seem overwhelming to have so much information out there (sometimes very conflicting and very little research reliability) but I can’t stress enough that there are some really helpful tips that you will find online that WILL work for you and for what your body needs for balance! I’m hoping it won’t be the case that you will have to wait for very long to use most of those tips because baby dust✨ baby dust✨, baby dust ✨💕😊

@Iz91 sorry for the huge delay! Had my covid booster on Tues and felt like absolute crap for two days afterwards, coupled with it being the busiest time of the year in work AND we were hosting Christmas dinner for the first time ever for 12 people, it’s been a hectic week!

On the plus side, I felt so rubbish after my booster that I completely forgot to take my pill for a couple of days, so figured I may as well just stop taking it early! Last one was last Monday, so far some cramps and just a bit of light spotting, but hopefully will get a full withdrawal followed by period at some point…

I’ve also bitten the bullet and ordered one months worth of myova, should hopefully arrive tomorrow (I’m too impatient to wait and see what happens naturally 😂)

I know exactly what you mean about the odd looks, I have a friends with PCOS who’s been struggling TTC, I mentioned supplements to her and she looked at me like I was absolutely crazy!😂

Just to jump in here as a fellow PCOS TTC gal - I haven't tried what you mention but also have had great results on metaformin and taking myo-inositol, in fact the month I started taking the latter I became pregnant. Unfortunately it didn't work out (so here I am again...) but I've just gone back on the supplements I take (concieve Plus ovulation support & fertility) and really rate them.

My sister is a doctor and looked at me like I had two heads when I started talking about my supplements... So I hear you both, but for me it's definitely made me feel more in control, and got me to a BFP and a 12 week pregnancy.

@Iz91 I'm very sorry for your loss - if you don't mind could I ask if you are still on metaformin? I came off it at 9 weeks pregnant at the advice of the doctor, and haven't yet gone back on, I'm in two minds. I've taken it for 3 years and to be honest it's feels like the initial cycle regulation and weight loss had very much stalled by that point, but really don't have anyone in the same boat to ask how they have approached it!

@Steph149 No worries at all! It’s been busy on our end as well and didn’t have near as many people visiting! Bless your souls, 12 people🤯! I’d have gone mad 😅😂 I only had two adults and 3 kids over and it was enough to have me sweating 😅

Also had my booster right before Christmas and felt awful so I understand that too! I hope you are managing better 😊

Brilliant on getting on top of starting the supplements keep me updated on how it goes! Will be curious to see how your body responds to it all! Are you tracking your ovulation as well, or not quite yet?

@MO22 so sorry for your loss as well 😔 how are you faring? My pregnancy lasted 14.5 half weeks and I never stopped the metformin. I wasn’t advised to as I was under the care of my normal GP and he didn’t know much around this. I had a appointment booked with a OBGYN due to the PCOS/metformin and some pregnancy concerns I had but the appointment was scheduled for the end of my 2nd trimester :/ not that it would’ve done much good by then and it was the midwife who referred me as she was also unsure about continuing the metformin throughout my pregnancy and what the medical advise around this should’ve been 😩.

I have to say as someone who’s done the opposite as you (I’ve been on MyOva for just about 2 years and had only been taking metformin the month before I fell pregnant) I can only deduce from our shared experience that the magic falls under taking them both! I am fearful of the benefits stalling as well but I’m striking whilst the iron is hot! I’m back on TTC and trying to lose as much weight as I can before my next pregnancy.

Were you given aspirin to start on your 12th week? I was prescribed this as well and I’ve read some with PCOS have taken it from the moment they fell pregnant and throughout the pregnancy to reduce complications 🤔 I just wish there was more concrete information around all of this instead of gathering scraps from everywhere 😩😅

@Iz91 I'm ok thank you, it's all still quite raw and I've gone a bit mad with timings and OPKs even tho it's only been 2.5 weeks since I had surgery. How are you doing?

I found the very same thing with metaformin, no one knew what to advise me, my midwife asked her senior midwife who then ask the OBGYN who said it was safe to stop, so I did. Unfortunately it was roughly timed with when my pregnancy ended so I've driven myself mad going round in circles with it, but in all honesty it was probably a bad coincidence. I just wish there was more definitive information but sadly I just don't think that there's much time and investment into research into PCOS despite it being quite common, so we are left to fend for ourselves (and go down mad Google rabbit holes often!)

Never heard anything about aspirin on my travels however - unfortunately it all ended two days before my 12 week scan so never had that appt. To be honest i'd try anything they said! That was what was so hard with the conflicting advice on metaformin, one side said don't take it because it can pass through the placenta to the baby and the other said it can reduce miscarriage. I wonder if even specialist Doctors have an answer on that!

How are you faring with TTC again?

@Iz91 we weren’t expecting quite as many, but a few changes to people’s original plans meant it escalated quickly! A few corners were definitely cut, and some packaging for pre-made bits was strategically hidden at the bottom of the bin 😂. Was really nice to have a full house though, first time we’ve all been together in over two years. I spent the day before worrying it would be cancelled or downsized thanks to covid, but everyone got a negative LF on the morning thankfully!

Was so strange, was fine with my first two (Pfizer), but Moderna booster floored me for about 2 days 😩 all good now though thanks!

Not started tracking yet, I downloaded the Flo app, but tbh it’s been so long I figured it will be a mess for at least a few months!

Willing the delivery driver to get here quicker with the vits so I can get started!😂

@MO22 I know how that feels with it being raw still, coincidentally my pregnancy ended exactly 3 weeks ago today 😔 I spend the first week in a complete state of reorganising my whole life but finally slammed the breaks to a halt the 2nd week in, to finally grieve properly. I think we will always be left wondering what we could’ve done better or differently when it comes to a loss like ours and I think PCOS has a lot to do with it unfortunately. What’s helped for me lately, has been focusing on TTC and I must admit I have gone a bit mad with the OPKs as well!

Have your levels dropped down yet if you don’t mind me asking? I had surgery straight after my loss but had to do medical management 5 days later but I’m finally testing almost completely negative today (only getting a very very faint line minutes after the test is taken and can only see it by squinting and staring longer then is appropriate so for the untrained eye like my hubs it’s a definite negative) but not sure where my HCG would be scoring at 😅 just hoping to catch ovulation though now that my body is moving into the next stage of starting things back up again.

It’s all strange wishing for a postive PT for so long then wanting nothing more then to see a negative these last couple weeks. No one prepares you for what any of this does to you mentally 😔 I’m glad to be more focused on the OPKs as that feels a bit more normal, but I’m also not trying to get my hopes too high up for a straight away success, especially not with PCOS and the surgery likely having impacted things but it’s blipping hard when that’s all I want 😩 But fingers crossed 🤞🏽! I hope things start to settle for you soon in any case! ✨✨

@Steph149 oh gosh, it sounds like you handled everything like a pro!! I’d have been scrambling like a headless chicken at any changes in plans tbh! My hubs is the kind (unsurprisingly 🙄) who doesn’t think we’ve got to ‘impress’ friends and family with a spotless house and decent amount of food choices, so it was a battle of wills for the little family we did have over! Well done on managing the load you had honestly! Total champ and I hope you’ve had a chance to put your feet up as a reward 😊🙌🏽

I can imagine with the last couple of years, that a visit like yours was well needed and I’m glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it! Hope your NYE’s is as promising whether you rest or throw together another do with family! 😊

I’ve had rotten luck with both Pfizer’s so I was expecting to be hit when I had the Moderna booster 😩 can’t say I was the better person and didn’t shoot daggers at my hubs as he struggled with his first shot but only had mild discomfort with the other two shots 😂 he had pain at his injection site and was at work the next day whilst I was laid out sporting a 39+C degree fever for nearly two days 😅 I think it’s just one of those things though and it’s all for the greater good and all, so glad that it’s done with for now 🙌🏽😊

Fair enough in terms of tracking, defo give yourself some time to just get used to being off the pill!

I used to have the Flo app but I’ve moved onto the Glow and BB Femometer app now (I also use the Femometer OPKs and HCG tests but not exclusively, I have learned to used reasonably priced tests and move onto the pricier stuff for further confirmation). I highly recommend Glow for the community and it links to the Nurture app when you finally fall pregnant which again has a great community and insight on each day of your pregnancy! It also handled my loss brilliantly in terms of updating the app (hopefully something you will never need) but I found that they really had the user in mind and ready with support networks in their in-app community groups. I think Flo has had a lot of updates as well and may offer something similar now but I’ve not navigated the app as much since I’ve moved to the other two apps but it would be worth looking into this if you’re interesting in connecting with others with similar TTC cycles / fertility journeys!

Lols I hope your delivery is with you before the week is out so you can commence that next step! ✨✨

@Iz91 oh I didn't realise our timings matched up - so you haven't had a period or anything yet?
I had the surgical procedure Mon 13th, the following Monday I had a positive pregnancy test which I found pretty harrowing, and then I did a pregnancy test this Tues and was pleasantly surprised to find it negative. I thought I could see the faintest of faintest lines, so funny I completely know what you mean about your husband being like there's nothing there, mine would have been the same! - I was actually with my sister so got her to check and she was like, that's negative. So since I've hit that milestone I've gone a bit mad trying to work out the cycle. I've started OPKs and they are showing nothing at the moment, but I've convinced myself I might have ovulated late last week which incidentally was when we DTD.

Ive definitely gone mad - it's highly, highly unlikely that I would have ovulated that early (especially because I have long cycles!) but who knows, I've been bleeding/spotting for three weeks and it's all a bit incomprehensible so I think obsessing and symptom spotting is maybe just my way of distracting myself from grieving.

I hope we both start ovulating soon and feel like we are getting back to normal! I either want a positive OPK or AF asap but I suppose I should be patient really...

@Iz91 thanks for the tips! Will make sure to buy a stash of cheaper tests and will have a look at the Glow app, thanks would never have found that! (Tbh I’m so new to this I’ve got no clue what I’m looking for 😂)
Vits arrived yesterday, 2 lots in so let’s see how I go over the next few months!

And hahaha my husband is exactly the same, couldn’t work out why I handed him a massive list of stuff that needed done and kept asking if anyone would really notice if we didn’t 😂
I’m meant to be working today, but thankfully I’ve not got much to do for a change, so I’m on the couch with a box of chocs watching rubbish tv 😂

@MO22 I know crazy how similar our cases are atm! And I know what you mean about the tests I’ve been mad tracking with OPKs and it’s helped keeping me looking forward and onwards 😊 I thought I missed my ovulation window as well and thought exactly the same 😂!! It would’ve been way too early in my cycle and I’ve had a few crazy days of the OPKs all showing drastically different results and only have had my husbands eyes to help me make sense of them 🤯😩 I learned to let him just zone out when I explain about the how/what/why the tests confuse me and I think he trusts my tone and delivery when it comes paying attention to the important notes such as when his job kicks in 😂😩

I think we’re finally on our way to ovulation this upcoming week (symptoms are present and tests show they are 40-50% positive on the Femometer app) and it’s exactly when I would’ve expected it to happen (all my apps are 2-3 days off as always since I ovulate later in my cycle 🙄) hope your tests are also on their to being more conclusive and sending baby dust your way 💕✨💕✨

@Steph149 Brilliant! I’m glad your delivery is finally with you and keep me updated how you get on with them 😊😊 happy to help with anything you need in your journey even just as an ear to bounce things off to 😊 also glad you got a chance to put your feet up and relax a bit!

Hope you both had a wonderful new year and here is to 2022 and hopefully a successful baby journey for us all 😊😊 🥂 ✨✨🎉💕