Finding the best inositol supplement for PCOS
If you have PCOS, then you know how overwhelming the symptoms can feel - cravings that feel impossible to control, thinning hair that chips away at your confidence, or the emotional toll of fertility challenges. Plus, the vastly ranging information about all different kinds of supplements for your PCOS can cause even more confusion!
Not to worry, in this post we’ll simplify and break down the benefits of one particular supplement - inositol - that may be the supplement that can regulate your hormones, improve fertility, and reduce PCOS symptoms - we’ll even give some top tips on choosing the best inositol supplement for PCOS.
What is inositol?
Inositol, sometimes referred to as vitamin B8, is a sugar that can either be made by the body or found in foods such as fruits, beans, corn and legumes. Inositol supports healthy cells and helps your body use insulin better, which can make it easier to manage blood sugar levels and hormones.
Inositol supplements & PCOS
You’ve probably experienced symptoms such as feeling tired, craving carbohydrates, acne, hair loss etc - these symptoms are often due to the insulin resistance that 95% of PCOS individuals have (1). Here’s how inositol may help:
Improves insulin sensitivity: Inositol acts as an insulin sensitiser, increasing the effectiveness of insulin and improving blood glucose levels (2).
Reduces cravings and fatigue: By balancing blood sugar levels, inositol may help ease energy crashes and reduce carbohydrate cravings, making it easier to manage your appetite and energy levels throughout the day.
Regulates menstrual cycles: Research shows inositol may support more regular ovulation and menstrual cycles, a key benefit for many with irregular or absent periods due to PCOS (3).
Support hormonal balance: Reduce hyperandrogenism (high levels of male-sex hormones). High androgen levels (e.g. free testosterone, total testosterone, SHBG) can contribute to acne and hair loss, and so inositol can be great for acne and for hair loss.
Improve egg quality and fertility: Inositols for fertility, particularly myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in the right ratio, have been shown to improve egg quality and ovulation, increasing the chances of conception (4).
Inositol supplement for PCOS
The best forms of inositol supplements for PCOS are myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.
But what exactly are the different benefits of the types of inositols?
Myoinositol: This form is involved in the functioning of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and ovulation, helping to improve fertility.
D-chiro-inositol: This form is involved in regulating testosterone production, as well as tackling symptoms such as high blood pressure and high blood lipid levels.
So D-chiro-inositol vs myo-inositol - you’re now probably thinking how do I choose the best inositol supplement for PCOS.
It is often suggested that the best inositol supplements for PCOS have a 40:1 ratio of myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol, and taking 4g per day, split into two doses is most effective (3).
Although uncommon, you may experience mild symptoms such as nausea, flatulence and diarrhoea. However, these are very uncommon, and a recent systematic review deemed inositol to be a safe and effective treatment for PCOS (5). It’s always important to speak to a registered professional before taking any supplements.
Best inositol supplement for PCOS: How to choose a good supplement
When choosing the best inositol supplement for PCOS, it’s important to consider the below factors:
Does the supplement contain the recommended 40:1 ratio of myoinositol to d-chiro-inositol?
Is it easy to incorporate into your daily life, i.e. would powder or capsule format work best for you?
Are there any added supplements, such as folic acid - studies have shown that taking folic acid alongside inositol has greater positive effects (6).
Inositol products available in the UK
Below are some products available in the UK, some of which have the 40:1 ratio, and some of which contain just myoinositol, others have other nutrients added such as chromium picolinate, and folate.
Use the following links and discount codes for 15% discount:
MyOva (MyoPlus): Discount code CP Nutrition15
Time Health (Inositol Complex): Inositol Complex
Fertility Family (Inofolic): Inofolic
*Please note that using these codes we earn a small commission from any sales made at no extra cost to you.
Living with PCOS can be incredibly challenging, but understanding how to support your body through targeted nutrition and supplements can make a real difference. Inositol has shown promising results in improving insulin sensitivity, regulating hormones, and easing common PCOS symptoms like irregular cycles, acne, hair loss, and fertility struggles. Inositol could be the small change that leads to big improvements in your PCOS journey!
Inositol supplements are just one of the supplements that you may want to include in your diet. You can read more about the supplements below:
If you are thinking of taking any supplements, it's important to speak with a registered healthcare professional to ensure it's the right choice for your specific PCOS needs.