Inositol for PCOS: Understanding the Evidence

You might get questions about inositol, an increasingly popular ingredient used to help treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) symptoms and improve fertility. PCOS is a leading cause of infertility – which is a growing segment in the dietary supplement market. Here’s what you should know.

Inositol is a sugar alcohol found in foods like legumes, citrus fruits, and meat. It’s also made in the body. Meta-analyses of studies in patients with PCOS show that taking inositol by mouth helps normalize the menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalances. And when taken along with folic acid, it might improve ovulation in people with anovulatory PCOS. But despite the claims you might see in popular marketing campaigns, it doesn’t seem to increase the chance of getting pregnant.

While it’s important to manage expectations about its impact on pregnancy rates, explain that inositol might offer other potential benefits for patients with PCOS. In addition to its effects on hormones and ovulation, it might help improve body mass index (BMI) and cholesterol levels. As for safety, inositol has been used safely in doses of 6 grams daily for 10 weeks. Diarrhea, gas, and nausea are the most common side effects. Note that there are nine different forms of inositol – myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol are the most well-studied and commonly used in supplements.

Check out our recently updated inositol monograph to learn more.