Effect of fennel supplement versus no supplement on the number of ovarian follicles, the endometrial diameter and ovarian volume in infertile women: a single blind randomized clinical trial

Objectives: To assess the effect of fennel supplement versus no supplement on the number of ovarian follicles, the endometrial diameter and ovarian volume in infertile women. Design: A single blind randomized clinical trial. Setting and conduct: The eligible women who are candidate for IVF and will refer to Infertility Clinic of Fatemiah Hospital during the study period will be enrolled into the trial. Inclusion criteria: (a) being infertile; (b) being candidate for IVF; (c) age of 15 to 45 years. Exclusion criteria: Having severe endometriosis. Intervention group: (a) Routine medications for stimulating ovulation plus oral fennel supplement 10 mg daily for two months; (b) Routine medications for stimulating ovulation plus oral fennel supplement 10 mg daily for two months. Control group: Routine medications for stimulating ovulation for two months. Primary outcome: (a) measuring the number of ovarian follicles before and two months after treatment using ultrasonography; (b) measuring the endometrial diameter before and two months after treatment using ultrasonography; (c) measuring the ovarian volume before and two months after treatment using ultrasonography. Secondary outcome: Nothing. Randomization: The patients will be randomly assigned to intervention groups using block randomization of 9 groups. Blinding: The physician who will examine the patients will not be aware of the intervention. Therefore, the trial will be run as single blind.

Vice-chancellor for Research the Technology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences