Inositol – The #1 Ovary Vitamin for PCOS and Fertility

If you’ve been searching for supplements for PCOS or ways to improve fertility, you’ve likely encountered inositol. It’s one of the most researched and effective supplements for improving women’s reproductive health, especially for those dealing with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

What is Inositol and How Does It Help PCOS?

Inositol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that plays several vital roles in the body, including regulating hormones and neurotransmitters. When it comes to PCOS treatment and ovarian health, inositol stands out. It addresses many symptoms of PCOS, especially insulin resistance, a major issue for most women with this metabolic and endocrine disorder.

Studies show that inositol supplements can be as effective as Metformin for improving insulin sensitivity but without the side effects. Itl has been shown to:

• Improve insulin resistance
• Lower triglycerides and blood pressure
• Increase HDL (“good” cholesterol)

By addressing insulin resistance, inositol helps target the root cause of PCOS, contributing to better hormonal balance and overall metabolic health.

How Does Inositol Support PCOS Symptoms?

One of the hallmark features of PCOS is elevated androgens (male hormones) and reduced sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Inositol has been proven to lower androgen levels and raise SHBG, offering a dual benefit to women with PCOS.

Another critical issue for women with PCOS is disrupted ovulation. Inositol supports healthy ovulation by:

• Enhancing glucose uptake in the ovaries, which need high energy levels to function properly.
• Helping the ovaries respond better to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), leading to improved egg maturation.
• Raising estrogen levels in the ovaries, which aids in the LH surge necessary for ovulation.
• Regulating testosterone production in the ovaries.

The result? Better egg quality, improved ovulation, regular menstrual cycles, and more balanced testosterone and SHBG levels—all essential for women with PCOS.

Why Do Women with PCOS Need More?

It’s not that they need more, it’s that women with PCOS are shown to have lower inositol levels from the get-go. This is not due to a lack of dietary intake, as it’s high in common foods such as grains, beans, fruits, and nuts. Rather, there appears to be a reduced ability to process, metabolize, and effectively use inositol from foods. We aren’t sure exactly why, but we do know that low levels are found in women with insulin resistance and PCOS, and research trials consistently show positive results with supplementation.

Does Inositol Help Fertility for Women Without PCOS?

While inositol is particularly beneficial for PCOS fertility—enhancing egg quality, promoting regular ovulation, and restoring cycle regularity—its benefits may extend to women without PCOS. Although there isn’t extensive research on inositol’s role in natural fertility for women without PCOS, studies do show that inositol can improve oocyte (egg) and embryo quality in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

According to a 2017 review, myo-inositol supplementation was shown to increase pregnancy rates during IVF cycles by improving egg and embryo quality.

What If Inositol Doesn’t Work for You?

For some women, around 30-40%, inositol supplementation may not seem to work. This is often due to “inositol resistance,” which is linked to poor gut health or gut dysbiosis. Gut health plays a key role in hormone regulation, so it’s not surprising that improving gut health can enhance the effectiveness of inositol.

One way to overcome inositol resistance is to pair it with whey protein or colostrum, which contains alpha-lactalbumin—a protein that helps inositol absorption. Research shows that 86% of women with inositol resistance overcame this issue by adding alpha-lactalbumin to their inositol regimen.

Additionally, duration matters. Inositol’s effects on SHBG levels may take at least six months to become noticeable, so persistence is key.

Key Benefits and Who Should Try Inositol

Women who could benefit from a six-month trial of inositol include:

• Women with PCOS looking to improve insulin sensitivity, ovulation, and hormonal balance.
• Women trying to conceive (TTC) who need to boost egg quality, regulate ovulation, or improve cycle regularity.
• Women undergoing IVF looking to enhance egg and embryo quality.

Bonus: Inositol also helps reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and is safe to take during pregnancy.

Recommended Dosage

The most effective dose of inositol for women with PCOS is:

• 2,000 mg of myo-inositol and 50 mg of D-chiro-inositol, taken twice daily for six months or more.

Think you have a hormone imbalance? Take my Hormone Health Quiz and receive a free copy of A Root-Cause Guide to Hormone Balance. This quiz and guide are useful self-assessment tools to harness your cycles and fertility.

Since you’re reading this post about inositol, you’re probably interested in optimizing your cycle for fertility. If so, you may find these related posts to be of interest:

Functional Medicine for Fertility: A Personalized Path to Conception

Improving Preconception Health with Functional Medicine

Enhancing a Fertile Follicular Phase: A Holistic Approach

If you have any questions or thoughts, I’d love to hear them in the comments below.