8 replies to this topic

[dayle78]

I am avidly reading ANYTHING I can about how to promote a successful IVF procedure this summer before I get started with my egg retrieval in August.

 

I read a (very science-y) fantastic research report on how using 3mg supplement of melatonin after starting suppression injections can help improve egg quality before retrieval.

 

Hiroshi Tamura, a researcher, has a link at http://www.ovarianresearch.com/content/5/1/5 , basically I summarized it as melatonin seems to lower oxidative stress on eggs and follicles (think about antioxidants and free radicals that we are always concerned about with any cells as we age).

 

Yes, the studies have been done on cows and mice, but in 2012 he did studies with a group of 9 women and then another trial with 115 women. Both groups involved women who had previously failed IVF cycles and a low fertilization rate.

 

My RE gave me the "it isn't counter-indicated but if IVF works it works and you don't want a reason to doubt yourself if it doesn't work" speech which didn't help at all. Ugh. Great reading though.

[amp77]

I read similar info before my cycle.  My RE didn't want me taking anything other than Vitamin-D, Omegas, and Pre-Natal.  I also started a drug trial and that was all that I was allowed as well; however, between cycles of the trial, I took Royal Jelly, Melatonin, and CoQ10.  My second cycle was sooooo much better than the first.  The first time, I had only had ~ 1 month of supplements, the second ~ 3 months.  Keep in mind, a week or so before stims started, I stopped the supplements and am not sure what kind of impact that has but since eggs take around 90 days to develop, I would say that the extra supplements helped.  I also added acupuncture.  Now to just see if this blast sticks!

[dayle78]

amp77 - sticky blast thoughts have been sent out to you!!!!  :-)

[Adrienne Donor]

Is it any different melatonin than the sleep aid? Other than dosage (I take 5mg when i can't sleep)

[amp77]

It is the same.

[oceanbluesngreens]

Dayle78 - I learned that Melatonin isn't recommended for someone taking medication for hypo-thyroidism (underactive thyroid). I take this med and therefore have not been taking a Melatonin supplement. I will have to look into this further... thanks for posting.

[quandry]

http://www.drugs.com...0-1463-869.html

 

It's ok to take it while on synthroid, just not at the same time...  but really, most people take their synthroid in the AM, while melatonin is a pm thing.

 

I'v decided to add it to my supplements...  partly because I am having trouble sleeping, and the stress of that on my body is worse than the side effects of taking it.

[dayle78]

Wow!  Thanks for reading and responding everyone! It makes me feel slightly less obsessed with TTC when other girls like you are reading and staying informed just like me!  :-)

 

Thanks for making me feel less obsessed with all this research stuff!  Good information (from recent, quality research) is often hard to hear from your RE because they don't have as much time to stay on top of the newest research.  My sister in law is a doctor and says that she gets leave from her hospital once a year for updating her knowledge at conferences/etc. and wishes she had time built into her day for it. :-)

[dayle78]

Oh, and most research says 3mg is what was taken by the women in the IVF clinical trials.