PCOS can have a significant impact on both your physical and emotional wellbeing. That’s why accessing evidence-based research is one of the most empowering ways to manage your symptoms effectively. Several studies have found that taking myo-inositol can help improve some PCOS symptoms, and may improve fertility. Let’s find out more about how myo-inositol can help you.
What is myo-inositol?
You might hear inositol referred to as “vitamin B8,” but it’s not actually a vitamin. Instead, it’s a type of sugar that plays several important roles in the body. It’s often called “vitamin-like” because it was once grouped with the B vitamins, even though our bodies can make it on their own. Inositol is actually a group of nine related compounds, with myo-inositol being the most common and active form found in the body.
Myo-inositol is found naturally in foods such as nuts, beans, fruit and grains. But with a busy lifestyle, it’s hard to make sure you get the optimum amount of myo-inositol you need from food alone. What’s more, some people with PCOS have been found to be myo-inositol resistant due to poor intestinal absorption. These problems are overcome with Inofolic Alpha, which contains just the amount of myo-inositol you need, with the addition of alpha-lactalbumin to help your body to absorb it.
Start your journey with Inofolic Alpha, today
The PCOS supplement for women for life
What are the key benefits of myo-inositol for PCOS?
When you’re trying to manage your PCOS symptoms, you want to know exactly how myo-inositol can benefit you — backed by science. The following key benefits all help your PCOS management, whether you’re trying for a baby or just want to improve your symptoms day to day.
Improves insulin resistance
The main reason myo-inositol is so useful for PCOS is that it helps the cellular response to insulin signals impacting your blood sugar. In fact, studies have found that taking an inositol supplement is very effective at increasing insulin sensitivity.
In some people with PCOS, insulin resistance is present. When you have insulin resistance, your pancreas has to secrete increasingly larger amounts of insulin to achieve the same effect, leading to higher than normal insulin levels in your bloodstream (hyperinsulinemia).
Inositol acts as a go-between for hormones like insulin. In this way, it can help the cells become better at responding to insulin, which means that your blood sugar balance is improved and your body secretes less insulin.
Reduces androgen levels
If you have PCOS, your androgen levels (such as testosterone) may be higher than the norm and this can cause troublesome symptoms like acne and hirsutism (hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen and thighs). Myo-Inositol can help reduce your androgen levels leading to improvements in your acne, and a reduction in unwanted hair growth. The reduced androgens can also improve ovulation frequency.
Increases ovulation frequency and improves egg and embryo quality
Myo-inositol can help make your periods more regular, and therefore improve the frequency of ovulation. It may also help improve your egg and embryo quality and has been found to potentially improve pregnancy rates for those going through fertility treatment such as IVF.
Decreases risk of cardiovascular disease
Some studies have also shown that myo-inositol may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in women.
In one study, obese women with a poor lipid profile (an indicator for potential heart disease in the future) were given a combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro inositol. After six months of taking the inositols, their lipid profiles improved considerably.
Regulates and restores menstrual cycles
If you have PCOS and you have irregular menstrual cycles and/or cycles with no ovulation, myo-inositol may also help. Women with PCOS may have different amounts of myo-inositol in the ovaries to those without PCOS. Studies have shown that by supplementing with inositol, the regularity of your menstrual cycle can be improved.
“For women with PCOS, a supplement like Inofolic Alpha can help support hormonal balance, improve insulin sensitivity and encourage more regular menstrual cycles. It can be a valuable part of a wider management plan that includes nutrition, movement and stress management. Remember – your body is strong, and with the right tools and support, you can feel empowered to thrive with PCOS!”
Reduces metabolic syndrome
Women with PCOS can be at increased risk of metabolic syndrome (high blood sugar levels, obesity, abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels and high blood pressure), which increases your risk of type II diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Insulin resistance is linked to metabolic factors like weight management and heart health, so myo-inositol reduces cholesterol levels and blood pressure by improving insulin sensitivity.
How much myo-inositol should I be taking for PCOS?
The recommended dosage of myo-inositol is 4,000 mg/day, taken in two doses on an empty stomach. Each sachet of Inofolic Alpha contains 2,000 mg myo-inositol. It also contains 50 mg alpha-lactalbumin (whey milk protein) and 200 mcg folic acid. It’s recommended to take two convenient sachets per day. Then you’ll know you’ve taken enough myo-inositol to benefit from it, with the alpha-lactalbumin to help your body to absorb it.
Does myo-inositol for PCOS make you gain weight?
Imbalances in your levels of inositols are associated with weight changes, including weight loss and weight gain. Studies have found these weight changes are linked primarily to how myo-inositol is metabolised in the body.
Myo-inositol supplementation has been found to potentially accelerate weight loss — likely due to its beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity (more insulin being produced can lead to weight gain). There are also PCOS supplements designed specifically for women who struggle with their weight as a result of the condition, such as Inofolic Alpha Plus. Of course, weight loss comes from a combination of diet and exercise, not simply through supplementation, but many studies have found that myo-inositol is linked to body mass index (BMI) reduction.
What’s the evidence that myo-inositol benefits PCOS symptoms?
Inositol supplements, particularly myo-inositol, have been shown to help improve hormone balance, support regular menstrual cycles, and boost ovulation in women with PCOS. They may also improve insulin sensitivity and egg quality, which can be especially helpful for those trying to conceive. Myo-inositol is safe and well-tolerated, and ongoing research continues to explore its benefits.
One study found that 12 weeks of myo-inositol supplementation improved reproductive hormone balance insulin sensitivity and restored the menstrual cycle in all women with PCOS.
Another study – focusing on the impact of myo-inositol treatment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome in assisted reproductive technologies – concluded that myo-inositol improves PCOS symptoms.
And one trial resulted in both the number and quality of oocytes (egg cells) being boosted in a group taking myo-inositol.
Keeping up to date with the latest evidence can help you make informed decisions about your treatment options. We think that myo-inositol is a bit of a hero – the testimonials speak for themselves.
References:
Ciotta, L. Effects of myo-inositol supplementation on oocyte’s quality in PCOS patients: a double blind trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2011 May;15(5):509-14.
Donne, M et al. Effects of three treatment modalities (diet, myoinositol or myoinositol associated with D-chiro-inositol) on clinical and body composition outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (5): 2293-230
Fruzzetti F, Perini D, et al. Comparison of two insulin sensitizers, metformin and myo-inositol, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Gynecol Endocrinol. 2017 Jan; 33 (1): 39-42
Greff, D et al. Inositol is an effective and safe treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology volume 21, Article number: 10 (2023)
Jamilian H, Jamilian M et al. Comparison of myo-inositol and metformin on mental health parameters and biomarkers of oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2018 Dec; 39(4): 307-314
Lepore, E et al. Inositols Depletion and Resistance: Principal Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 6796.
Merviel, P et al. Impact of myo-inositol treatment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome in assisted reproductive technologies. Reproductive Health volume 18, Article number: 13 (2021)
Simi G., Genazzani A. R., Obino M. E. R., et al. Inositol and in vitro fertilization with embryo transfer. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2017;2017:5.
