Affecting as many as 20% of women worldwide, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility and it often co-exists with insulin resistance.
Although no cure has yet been discovered, a safe and side-effect-free natural supplement called inositol has been found to improve PCOS symptoms like infertility, insulin resistance, weight gain, acne, and depression, as well as reduce the risk of diabetes.
In this article, we outline seven evidence-based ways that inositol helps to treat PCOS.
What Is Inositol?
Inositol is a natural B vitamin that is naturally produced in the body. Its main functions include regulating insulin and cholesterol, as well as facilitating cell structure, mood regulation, metabolism, and the transmission of signals between nerve cells.
There are nine types of inositol, but the two main types that are helpful for PCOS are Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.
7 Things to Know About Taking Inositol for PCOS
Various studies, as well as feedback from women’s health clinics, confirm that a regular dose of 40:1 Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol can not only regulate insulin levels for PCOS patients but also help regulate menstrual cycles & metabolism, improve ovarian health, reduce the overproduction of male hormones, and more.
Here are seven ways that inositol helps PCOS.
1. Inositol Helps Regulate Insulin and Blood Sugar Better Than Medication
Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to help regulate sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream and it also acts as a conduit for glucose to be absorbed into the body’s cells, where it can be used as energy or stored in the liver and muscles for later use. Insulin resistance occurs when the cells are unable to effectively absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Or, to put it another way, the cells are not reacting to insulin as they normally would.
In this case, the pancreas makes more insulin to encourage the absorption of glucose, which typically results in low energy levels, slowed metabolism, weight gain, and increases the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Inositol, however, has been proven to help cells receive the appropriate signals from insulin, thereby regulating insulin uptake and lowering blood sugar levels. It is, in fact, so effective that several studies have concluded inositol supplementation is often more efficient than the medication Metformin, which is usually prescribed for managing insulin resistance in PCOS patients. Unlike Metformin, inositol is 100% natural and has no severe side effects.
If you have PCOS and take Metformin, it is always advisable to speak with your healthcare professional before changing to an inositol blend.
2. Inositol Helps To Lower Androgens, Treat Acne & Reduce Excess Facial Hair
All females produce androgens (male sex hormones), however, PCOS patients typically have much higher levels than usual, which can cause irregular menstruation, excess facial hair (hirsutism), acne, and hair loss on the scalp. Because high androgen levels are linked to high insulin levels, inositol is believed to lower androgens due to its impact on regulating insulin.
By lowering androgen levels, women with PCOS often experience more regular menstruation, skin improvements, and less facial hair.
In a study carried out as early as 2009, researchers noted that androgen levels were particularly lower after participants took Myo and D-Chiro inositol for three months, and after six months more than 50% of the participants no longer suffered from acne or facial hair growth.
3. Inositol Can Improve Ovulation and Regulate Menstrual Cycles
In addition to the effects of insulin resistance and the overproduction of androgens on the menstrual cycle, many PCOS patients have also been found to suffer from low ovulation rates or anovulation - a menstrual cycle without ovulation.
Research has concluded that taking regular Inositol supplements with a ratio of 40:1 for as little as 6-8 weeks can improve menstrual regulation in women with PCOS as well as enhance ovarian function, and increase the quality of eggs.
As an aside, inositol is also used to increase pregnancy rates in infertile women without PCOS, as well as those undergoing In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
4. Inositol Improves Fertility in PCOS Patients
Due to the overproduction of male hormones, irregular menstruation, and ovarian cysts in PCOS patients, becoming pregnant can be a struggle for many, but it is possible. And even more so with a regular intake of 40:1 combination of Myo and D-Chiro inositol. Given that inositol has been proven to enhance ovulation, it is often used to boost fertility before egg retrieval during IVF and comes highly recommended for PCOS patients hoping to become pregnant.
In a 2023 study exploring female infertility in the era of obesity, overweight women with PCOS were given myo-inositol and folic acid during IVF treatment and successful pregnancy rates were three times higher compared to women who had only taken folic acid. Similarly, another study researching women undergoing intrauterine insemination concluded that pregnancy rates rose by 50% after participants took inositol for three months.
5. Inositol Improves Your Metabolic Health
Insulin resistance is intricately linked to metabolic health, which includes factors such as blood pressure, heart health, cholesterol levels, and weight control. Unfortunately, PCOS patients are at an increased risk of high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels, which can inevitably lead to heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
Fortunately, it has been established that inositol can have a boosting effect on the metabolic health of PCOS patients by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, thereby lowering the risk of more serious conditions like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
6. Inositol Can Help PCOS Patients with Weight loss
Due to the association between insulin resistance and high cholesterol levels, weight gain is a common symptom of PCOS. Weight gain associated with PCOS is typically noticed around the abdominal area to begin with and tends to affect the entire body if left untreated.
However, due to the positive impact that inositol can have on insulin levels, hormone production, and cholesterol, the 40:1 Myo and -D-chiro inositol blend can help PCOS patients to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight while living with PCOS. To see optimal results when it comes to managing weight with PCOS, a healthy diet and regular exercise are recommended in conjunction with a regular intake of inositol.
7. Inositol Lowers Anxiety & Depression Associated with PCOS
According to clinical reports and medical research, psychological symptoms like anxiety, stress, and depression are common among PCOS patients. Often triggered by the onset of other PCOS symptoms like acne, weight gain, or the growth of excess facial hair, these mental health issues can sometimes impact women’s quality of life more than the physical symptoms.
Although various medications exist for treating psychological symptoms like anxiety, stress, or depression, pharmaceutical drugs often contribute to additional hormone imbalances in women with PCOS. Given this precedent, various studies surrounding the treatment of psychological symptoms in women with PCOS revealed that Myo-inositol was the most promising option due to the impact it can have on neurotransmitters.
The perfect 40:1 inositol blend from Intimate Rose also includes the addition of ashwagandha and Vitamin D which has added positive effects on stress, anxiety, and mood. No other Inositol supplement on the market includes these extra mood-enhancing ingredients.
Conclusion
Inositol is a natural B vitamin (or type of sugar) made by the body that helps to manage blood sugar levels, metabolism, and fertility. Medical researchers have found that when a 40:1 blend of Myo and D-Chiro inositols is taken regularly, the combination can be particularly effective in treating PCOS symptoms like ovarian function, infertility, weight gain, acne, depression, and hirsutism.
If you have PCOS and are considering using inositol supplements, it’s always a good idea to discuss new supplementation with your doctor to ensure it doesn’t impact any other medication you might be taking.
FAQs
Why Is Inositol Helpful for PCOS?
PCOS is a complex hormonal disorder characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, high levels of androgens (male hormones), cysts on the ovaries, and more often than not, insulin resistance. Although they often co-exist, researchers remain unsure whether insulin resistance contributes to the onset of PCOS or the other way around.
PCOS symptoms can vary for each woman but generally include infertility due to ovarian cysts and irregular menstruation, facial hair growth (hirsutism) & acne due to increased male hormones, and slow metabolism as well as weight gain due to insulin resistance.
Inositol is considered an effective treatment option for women with PCOS because its positive impact on insulin sensitivity, hormonal imbalance, and ovarian function can largely reduce the ensuing symptoms mentioned above.
Inositol-Rich Food or Inositol Supplements – Which Is Better for PCOS?
Inositols are naturally found in foods like beans, fruits, lentils, nuts, and a variety of seeds. Although studies show that sufficient levels of inositols can be consumed through diet, it can be difficult to ensure adequate levels, or the ideal blend, for PCOS patients to feel relief.
For the best results in managing PCOS symptoms, research shows that Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol should be regularly taken in a specific ratio of 40:1 along with a healthy, low-sugar diet and regular exercise. This means that PCOS patients will see better results from inositol supplements as opposed to consuming them through food.
The 100% natural inositol supplement from Intimate Rose incorporates the perfect blend of Myo and D-Chiro inositol, for example, as well as added ashwagandha and Vitamin D for further mood support and lower stress levels when living with PCOS.
References
Web MD – Inositol - https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-299/inositol
Womens Health - Polycystic ovary syndrome - https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
National Library of Medicine - Short-term effects of metformin and myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30614282/
National Library of Medicine - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyperandrogenism: the role of a new natural association - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26491824/
National Library of Medicine - Efficacy of myo-inositol in the treatment of cutaneous disorders in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19551544/
National Library of Medicine - Effects of Inositol(s) in Women with PCOS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5097808/
National Library of Medicine - Insulin sensitiser agents alone and in co-treatment with r-FSH for ovulation induction in PCOS women - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20222840/
National Library of Medicine - Inositol treatment for psychological symptoms in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome women - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33755979/