If you’re looking to optimise your fertility, there are two natural supplements which you’ll see on the market to support PCOS and reproductive health: myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol. This dynamic duo regulates your hormones and can be of benefit in both male and female fertility.
When struggling with infertility, it can help you physically and mentally to be proactive about your care. This includes research on what you can do and why. Well-meaning but vague advice from friends and family doesn’t help — you need to know the science behind it so that you don’t waste time. Fortunately, there’s massive amounts of research on inositols. Let’s find out more about how myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol support fertility, so you can make an informed decision.
What is myo-inositol?
Inositols are little molecules that are a bit like glucose, structurally. They’re also called sugar alcohols, carbocyclic sugars or cyclic polyols. You’ll see ‘sugar’ in some of the names there but don’t worry: not all sugars are bad. Inositols are a vital part of our body chemistry and myo-inositol is the most plentiful type. Low concentrations of myo-inositol is also found in foods such as nuts, beans, grains and fruit.
Myo-inositol has long been found to be important for supporting fertility, due to the part that it plays in helping hormones and Insulin work effectively . As well as this, it can help you to manage your PCOS symptoms. Myo-inositol is the most popular inositol as it’s the most thoroughly researched and the most effective in aiding fertility.
What is D-chiro-inositol?
D-chiro-inositol is another type of inositol. But whereas myo-inositol has been proven to work alone (supported by massive amounts of research, over many years), there’s less research about D-chiro-inositol. Plus, it doesn’t work alone. It can only work if it’s taken together with myo-inositol.
When taken as a supplement alongside myo-inositol, it’ll help to support the healthy hormone levels needed for fertility. Not only this, but its antioxidant properties – alongside helping the body to absorb myo-inositol – will serve to increase ovulatory function and improve egg quality.
How do myo and D-chiro-inositol support fertility?
The amount of studies providing evidence to support myo-inositol as a fertility aid is impressive. That’s why Inofolic Alpha contains exactly the right amount of myo-inositol that your body needs. Let’s take a look at those benefits.
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Improves ovarian function
Initial trials of inositol for PCOS used only D-chiro-inositol — no myo-inositol. But this didn’t work because it’s myo-inositol that’s a second messenger for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) — crucial to ovarian function. In fact, if you have PCOS your body might be converting too much myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol, reducing myo-inositol levels in the ovary and preventing ovulation.
Too much D-chiro-inositol can actually worsen your PCOS: lowering oestrogen levels and denying your ovaries the amount of myo-inositol needed to ovulate. So for PCOS, it’s advisable to take just myo-inositol for improved ovarian function.
Improves egg quality
As well as improved ovulary function, studies have shown improved oocyte quality when taking inositol supplements. It does this by increasing insulin sensitivity of the ovary and this in turn can improve egg quality.
Improves insulin resistance
Women with PCOS are often insulin resistant — PCOS and insulin resistance go hand in hand. Women who have PCOS can make insulin, but can’t use it effectively. If you have PCOS, improving insulin resistance will make the biggest difference and will reduce or stop many symptoms, such as infertility, acne and weight gain.
Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol both have positive effects on insulin sensitivity. In particular, myo-inositol’s ability to reduce insulin resistance has been shown to decrease testosterone levels. Lower testosterone levels help to harmonise your hormones, stopping the imbalances that lead to anovulation and increasing your chances of getting pregnant.
Reduces risk of gestational diabetes
PCOS is one of the risk factors for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnancy as a result of glucose intolerance and means that you have a higher risk of having a larger baby and an early birth. Your baby is also at greater risk of having low blood sugar and of developing type 2 diabetes.
Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol can reduce your risk of gestational diabetes by helping regulate glucose homeostasis.
Improve IVF outcomes
Going through IVF is mentally, physically and emotionally draining, so anything you can do to help support your journey will be worth it. One of the things that you can do is to take a reputable inositol supplement like Inofolic Alpha to support your IVF outcomes.
Studies show that inositol supplements can reduce the amount of gonadotropins (a stimulation drug used during IVF) used in women undergoing IVF and reduce the IVF cycle length (a welcome benefit!). And another study found that inositol improves embryo quality and increases pregnancy outcomes for infertile women undergoing IVF. During this study, inositol was also found to help reduce the amount of unsuitable oocytes.
What dosage of inositol will improve my fertility?
Studies have found that taking 4,000mg of inositol a day will improve your fertility and embryo quality. This is the same as taking two Inofolic sachets per day.
How long do myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol take to work for fertility?
There isn’t an exact length of time for inositol supplementation to begin working, as everyone is different, with different factors to consider. But many studies have shown positive reports after three to four months. If you’re taking a supplement before IVF treatments, make sure to start it two to three months before you start treatment.
What’s the evidence that myo and d-chiro-inositol supports fertility?
Myo-inositol has been used to support fertility for many years and is backed by a vast amount of research. D-chiro-inositol has also been used in combination with myo-inositol as a result of research.
Myo-inositol is a key supporter of fertility in a number of ways:
- Reduces insulin resistance (helping those with PCOS to conceive)
- Controls hormones connected with ovulation
- Increases your chances of conception by reducing AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone) levels
- Improves egg quality
- Prevents problems during pregnancy
- Improves fertility in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques
D-chiro-inositol also helps to balance your hormones and manage insulin levels, which aids fertility when taken in combination with myo-inositol.
Along with scientific research, you can read first-hand accounts of the numerous couples who have had positive outcomes when taking supplements containing inositol. Reading personal success stories can be uplifting and motivating.
In conclusion, although there are benefits in taking myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol together due to their synergistic effects. With the vast amount of research to support the positive effect of myo-inositol on your fertility, it’s worth considering a daily supplement to give yourself the best chance of conceiving.
References:
Gambioli, R et al. Myo-Inositol as a Key Supporter of Fertility and Physiological Gestation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021 Jun; 14(6): 504.
Laganàet A, S. et al. Myo-inositol supplementation reduces the amount of gonadotropins and length of ovarian stimulation in women undergoing IVF: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018 Oct;298(4):675-684.
Merviel, P et al. Inositol Treatment for PCOS Should Be Science-Based and Not Arbitrary. Int J Endocrinol. 2020: 6461254.
Zheng, X et al. Inositol supplement improves clinical pregnancy rate in infertile women undergoing ovulation induction for ICSI or IVF-ET. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Dec;96(49):e8842.
