Tuesday 11 November 2008
Changing IVF treatment for women with polycystic ovaries
|
|
|
This research has won the ‘in-training award for research’ prize, and has also been short-listed for overall scientific prize award at the ASRM.
Metformin is a drug widely used to improve the success rate and minimise any side effects of IVF for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Up to a third of women attending IVF clinics have polycystic ovaries but have regular cycles, and no other symptoms. This is different to polycystic ovarian syndrome. Studies previously, have suggested that women with polycystic ovaries share some common underlying metabolic problems similar to women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. This research conducted a randomized controlled drug trial, across three UK clinics, to see if metformin would improve IVF outcome in women with polycystic ovaries who had no other symptoms of the syndrome.
The research concluded that the drug had no effect on either the success rate or side effects of IVF. This is a significant development, as the research will change clinical practice and the direction of future treatment research.
|
|
|
|