Women's Health: Fertility Support | Elite Nutrition Serv

Fertility Support

Infertility affects approximately 10 to 15% of couples. (1) While the causes of infertility vary and can be linked both to male and female conditions, one contributing factor may be hormonal dysfunction in women. (2)

Testing levels of hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone, can all assist in identifying imbalances and addressing hormonal dysfunction in women. Hormone dysfunction may contribute to changes in ovulation rates or anovulation, and correcting levels of hormones may improve pregnancy success and reduce the probability of miscarriage. (3-5)

A number of factors may contribute to hormonal dysfunction, including environmental disturbances. Research suggests that endocrine disruptors, which may be present in air pollution, are correlated with increased rates of miscarriage, reduced live birth rates, and increased levels of nitrogen dioxide and ozone in populations undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). (6)

In addition, hormonal dysfunction is commonly seen in conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Low serum vitamin D in women with PCOS appears to be correlated with endocrine disturbances. (7) Addressing imbalances in hormones, such as androgens, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone, may be beneficial in the treatment of PCOS. (6) Improving the quality and maturation of oocytes also demonstrates promising results in women with or without PCOS undergoing ovulation induction. (4,8)

Based on current research findings, the ingredients in the protocol below have demonstrated efficacy in improving a variety of factors associated with female fertility.

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About the Protocol

Myo-Inositol

Recommended Dose: 2000-6000mg + 100-400mcg folic acid, 1-2x/day for a minimum of 2 months (9-12)

Meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials found myo-inositol or D-chiro-inositol supplementation increased the frequency of menstrual cycles and improved ovulation rate with or without metformin administration (13)
Infertile PCOS patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) who received myo-inositol prior to controlled ovulation induction (COH) experienced less canceled cycles and increased rates of pregnancy and number of spontaneous pregnancies, 10)

Vitamin D3

Recommended Dose: 50,000IU administered once per week or 1000IU per day at least 6 months (9,14)

Prenatal Multivitamin

Recommended Dose: 800mcg folic acid, 28 days prior to conceptions and to be continued through the second missed menstrual period or prenatal formulation including 800mcg 4-6 weeks prior to ovulation

Benefits of Thorne’s Basic Prenatal at each stage:

Pre-Conception

Daily multi-vitamin/mineral support for a woman of childbearing age.
Provides beneficial nutrients that are important from the moment of conception.

First Trimester

Folate facilitates healthy brain and spinal cord development. This blend includes the bioactive form of folate – 5-MTHF.
Vitamins C, B6, and K have been shown to benefit “morning sickness.”

Second Trimester

Contains the well-absorbed and well-researched iron bisglycinate to meet a pregnant woman’s increased need for iron.

Third Trimester

Provides the extra nutrients needed for continued healthy fetal development and to prepare mom and baby for birth.*

After Pregnancy through Nursing

Nutritional support for increased demand for calcium and vitamin D in the diet.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

Recommended Dose: 1200mg, starting on day 3 of the cycle for 5 days for 12-24 consecutive cycles; or 1800mg in patients PCOS, once per day for 8-12 weeks.

Promotes normal mucus levels in healthy sinus and respiratory systems
Provides immune system support
Maintains healthy liver function
Ovulation and pregnancy rates improved as well as ideal endometrial thickness in infertile women with PCOS (22)

Ashwagandha

Recommended Dose: 300mg 2x/day for 8 weeks (15)

Ashwagandha has been associated with stress management, cognitive function, anti-inflammatory effects, immune system support, and potential benefits in reproductive health. (16)

In a clinical study, Ashwagandha showed significant potential in improving sexual function in the areas of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain, and FSFI and FSDS scores in healthy women over eight weeks. (16)

References

1. Lerchbaum, E., & Obermayer-Pietsch, B. (2012). Vitamin D and fertility: a systematic review. European Journal of Endocrinology / European Federation of Endocrine Societies, 166(5), 765–778. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22275473/ 2. Arhin, S. K., Zhao, Y., Lu, X., Chetry, M., & Lu, J. (2017). Effect of micronutrient supplementation on IVF outcomes: a systematic review of the literature. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 35(6), 715–722. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28919239/ 3. Czeizel, A. E., Métneki, J., & Dudás, I. (1994). The higher rate of multiple births after periconceptional multivitamin supplementation: an analysis of causes. Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemellologiae, 43(3-4), 175–184. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8588492/ 4. Shang, W., Wang, A., Lv, L., Zhang, L., Shu, M., Zhao, Y., & Hui, S. (2015). Individualized Hormone Adjustment in the Treatment of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 72(3), 817–820. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25638341/ 5. Shang W, Wang A, Lv L, et al. Individualized Hormone Adjustment in the Treatment of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions. Cell Biochem Biophys. 2015;72(3):817-820. doi:10.1007/s12013-015-0539-2 6. Conforti, A., Mascia, M., Cioffi, G., De Angelis, C., Coppola, G., De Rosa, P., Pivonello, R., Alviggi, C., & De Placido, G. (2018). Air pollution and female fertility: a systematic review of literature. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology: RB&E, 16(1), 117. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30594197/ 7. Agrawal, R., Burt, E., Gallagher, A. M., Butler, L., Venkatakrishnan, R., & Peitsidis, P. (2012). Prospective randomized trial of multiple micronutrients in subfertile women undergoing ovulation induction: a pilot study. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 24(1), 54–60. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22138521/ 8. Caprio, F., D’Eufemia, M. D., Trotta, C., Campitiello, M. R., Ianniello, R., Mele, D., & Colacurci, N. (2015b). Myo-inositol therapy for poor-responders during IVF: a prospective controlled observational trial. Journal of Ovarian Research, 8, 37. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26067283/ 9. Dennis, N. A., Houghton, L. A., Jones, G. T., van Rij, A. M., Morgan, K., & McLennan, I. S. (2012). The level of serum anti-Müllerian hormone correlates with vitamin D status in men and women but not in boys. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 97(7), 2450–2455. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22508713/ 10. Emekçi Özay, Ö., Özay, A. C., Çağlıyan, E., Okyay, R. E., & Gülekli, B. (2017). Myo-inositol administration positively effects ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective, controlled, randomized trial. Gynecological Endocrinology: The Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 33(7), 524–528. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28277112/ 11. Lisi, F., Carfagna, P., Oliva, M. M., Rago, R., Lisi, R., Poverini, R., Manna, C., Vaquero, E., Caserta, D., Raparelli, V., Marci, R., & Moscarini, M. (2012). Pretreatment with myo-inositol in non polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing multiple follicular stimulation for IVF: a pilot study. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology: RB&E, 10, 52. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22823904/ 12. Rolland AL, Peigné M, Plouvier P, Dumont A, Catteau-Jonard S, Dewailly D. Could myo-inositol soft gel capsules outperform clomiphene in inducing ovulation? Results of a pilot study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2017;21(2 Suppl):10-14. 13. Chu, J., Gallos, I., Tobias, A., Tan, B., Eapen, A., & Coomarasamy, A. (2018). Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatment outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Human Reproduction , 33(1), 65–80. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29149263/ 14. Dennis, N. A., Houghton, L. A., Pankhurst, M. W., Harper, M. J., & McLennan, I. S. (2017). Acute Supplementation with High Dose Vitamin D3 Increases Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Young Women. Nutrients, 9(7). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28698476/ 15. Dongre, S., Langade, D., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. BioMed Research International, 2015, 284154. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26504795/ 16. Patibandla S, Gallagher JJ, Patibandla L, Ansari AZ, Qazi S, Brown SF. Ayurvedic Herbal Medicines: A Literature Review of Their Applications in Female Reproductive Health. Cureus. 2024;16(2):e55240. Published 2024 Feb 29. doi:10.7759/cureus.55240