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CLINICAL STUDIES
DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF FERTILITYBLEND:
A NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT FOR IMPROVING FERTILITY IN WOMEN
Lynn M. Westphal, MD, Mary Lake Polan, MD, PhD, MPH*, Aileen Sontag Trant, PhD
Purpose: To determine the impact of nutritional supplementation on female fertility. Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was initiated to determine the effects of FertilityBlend for
Women, a proprietary nutritional supplement containing chasteberry, green tea, L-arginine, vitamins (including folate) and minerals, on progesterone level, basal body temperature, menstrual cycle length, pregnancy rate
and side-effects. Results: Ninety-three (93) women, age 24-42 years, who had tried unsuccessfully to conceive for six to 36 months, completed the study. After three months, the FertilityBlend (FB)
supplement group (N=53 vs. 40 in placebo group) demonstrated a strong trend toward an increase in mean mid-luteal phase progesterone (from 8.2 to 10.4 ng/ml, p=0.06). Among women initially low in progesterone
(<12 ng/ml, N=34 in FB and 23 in placebo group), the increase in the FB group with low progesterone was highly significant (4.9 to 9.3 ng/ml; p=0.005). The average number of days in cycle with basal temperatures over
98F during luteal phase also increased significantly in the overall FB group (5.5 to 8.1 days, p=0.006). Among women starting with short cycles (<27 days, N=15 in FB and N=9 in placebo group), mean cycle length
increased significantly in the FB group (from 24.2 to 27.6 days; p<0.001). Among women with longer cycles (>32 days, N=11 in FB and 6 in placebo group), cycles tended to shorten in the FB group (from 41.6 to
31.7; p=0.02). The placebo group overall (N=40) did not show any notable changes after treatment, in any of the parameters studied. After six months, 17 of the 53 women in the FB group were pregnant (32%), and four of
the 40 women in the placebo group were pregnant (10%; p<0.01). No significant side effects were noted. Conclusion: Nutritional supplementation could provide an alternative or complement
conventional fertility therapies.
To view the complete published study, click here.
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrician and Gynecology. XXXIII, n. 4, July 2006.
CLINICAL STUDY OF FERTILITYBLEND, A
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT USED FOR THE OPTIMIZATION OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN WOMEN.
LM Westphal, MD, ML Polan, MD, PhD, MPH, AS Trant, PhD, SB Mooney, MD Objective: To determine the impact of
nutritional supplementation on the optimization of reproductive health in women. Study Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was initiated to determine the effects of FertilityBlend, a
proprietary nutritional supplement containing chasteberry and green tea extracts, L-arginine, vitamins (including folate) and minerals. Changes in progesterone level, basal body temperature, menstrual cycle, pregnancy
rate and side effects were monitored. Results: Thirty (30) women, age 24-46 years, who had tried unsuccessfully to conceive for six to 36 months completed the study. After three months, the supplement group
(N=15) demonstrated a trend toward an increase in mean mid-luteal phase progesterone level (from 8.2 to 12.8 ng/ml, p=0.08); also a significant increase in the average number of days in cycle with basal temperatures
over 37C (98F) during luteal phase (6.8 to 9.7 days, p=0.04). The placebo group (N=15) did not show any notable changes after treatment, in any of the parameters studied. After five months, five of the 15 women in the
supplement group were pregnant (33%), and none of the 16 women in the placebo group were pregnant (p<0.01). No significant side effects were noted. Conclusion: Nutritional supplementation may provide an
attractive alternative or complement to conventional fertility therapies. A full, pdf copy of the earlier published pilot study can be viewed by clicking here.*Dr. Polan is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board and
received stock options in the company for her service. |
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