Not recruiting now

This study is not formally recruiting participants, but is a preliminary project comprehensively evaluating the responses of women with infertility due to premature menopause who have already been referred for the natural therapy Vitex agnus-castus in improving ovulation and potential fertility.

Once the audit is complete, if results look promising, the research team will undertake a formal interventional research study and will recruit participants.

If you wish to register your interest for future projects in this area, please e-mail the following details to: 

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In the subject line note:  “Quality audit project”,
In the email body: your name,
                                 your address and
                                 best phone contact
(this information will be kept confidentially) and we will register your interest and contact you if the formal study progresses.

Approval for this audit has been sought from the Southern Health Human Research and Ethics Committee.

Background

The Melbourne Holistic Health Group in collaboration with the Jean Hailes Foundation and Melbourne IVF is conducting a quality audit project on the treatment of premature ovarian failure and infertility in women using a herbal combination including Vitex agnus-castus.

Some women with impaired ovarian function, which can occur even at a young age, display resistance to the stimulating hormones that make the ovary work. In this setting the ovaries do not respond to high levels of stimulating hormones either made by the body or administered via IVF. Therefore ovulation does not occur and infertility results.

For many years now, the herbal therapy compounds including Vitex agnus-castus have been used to treat infertility without an understanding of their mechanisms of action. There have however been anecdotal or individual responses reported.

As traditional medical therapy, including IVF, is often ineffective in these women, we are completing a clinical quality audit project to analyse the effectiveness of this herbal therapy in women already referred from Melbourne IVF.

Investigators

Ruth Trickey ND, Director, Melbourne Holistic Health Group.
Sandra Villella..ND M.App.Sci./Acu.Dip.App.Sci./Naturopathy Melbourne Holistic Health Group, The Jean Hailes Foundation
Dr Kate Stern, MBBS, FRACOG. Melbourne IVF 
Prof Helena Teede, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, Director Research Jean Hailes Foundation, Head of Diabetes Southern Health, Monash University Dept Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Monash Institute of Health Services research.

Study Aim

To assess the effectiveness of a herbal combination including Vitex agnus-castus in increasing the sensitivity of the ovary to stimulating hormones and inducing ovulation and potentially improving fertility in women with premature ovarian failure.

Methods

We are comprehensively and confidentially auditing records of women with diagnosed premature menopause who have been treated with Vitex agnus-castus and assessing their response to therapy by focusing on ovulation, hormone responses and IVF responses as well as pregnancies.

Support

The audit is funded by the Jean Hailes Foundation.
Dr Teede is supported by an NH&MRC CDA Fellowship.

Contact

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Content updated September 15, 2005