Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) oral capsules improve endometrial thickness in infertile women following clomiphene citrate treatment.

BACKGROUND

Clomiphene citrate is a preferred first-choice ovulation-stimulating drug in some infertile women, but it may postpone the efficacy of medical interventions because it reduces the endometrial thickness, a significant factor that is associated with increased risk of infertility because it potentially impacts implantation. Based on this concept, we aimed in this study to discover the role of oral fennel capsules on endometrial thickness in infertile women who receive a clomiphene citrate treatment regimen.

METHODS

A total of 60 volunteer women (25-35 years) with infertility who underwent standard treatment (100 mg/day clomiphene citrate) were selected for this interventional study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one received fennel capsules (60 mg/day) and the other served as a control. Initial assessments included the collection and calculation of body mass index (BMI), socio-demographic, and medical records. Following the treatment period, the endometrial thickness (ET), size, quantity of follicles, and pregnancy outcome were evaluated and compared between case and control groups.

RESULTS

The results indicated that fennel supplements improved fertility indices in the intervention group. The number and size of follicles showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two groups after treatment. The mean endometrial thickness in the intervention group was approximately 1.7 mm greater than in the control group (p < 0.001). Despite the higher successful fertility rate in the intervention group compared to the control group (16 % vs. 3 %), the differences were not statistically significant (χ = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Fennel supplements might reduce clomiphene citrate's adverse effects in infertile women by improving endometrial thickness.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) IRCT20241118063767N2. Date of registration 05/12/2024. URL: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/user/trial/80233/view.