Hormonal imbalance brings about many different health issues in the female body, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of them. This syndrome may also lead to more severe health problems, including infertility and diabetes.

Inositols, a vitamin-like substance, have shown promising results in PCOS treatment. There are nine types of Inositols, but only two types benefit people with polycystic ovary syndrome: Myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro inositol (DCI). Myo-inositol is also referred to as vitamin B8 in Australia.

This article explains how inositols benefit people suffering from PCOS get better quality egg production and more control over their blood sugar levels.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may experience irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries where the ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid. The condition can lead to various symptoms, such as:

• Acne
• Weight gain
• Fertility issues

PCOS is often associated with an increased risk of developing other health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Benefits of Inositol (B8) Supplements for PCOS Treatment

There are many benefits of Inositol (B8) supplements for women with PCOS that aid in ovulation and fertility health, such as:

• Improvement of insulin levels.
• Help ease intense cravings.
• Myo-inositol is vital in improving egg quality.
• Aids in reducing cholesterol levels.
• Can lower the risk of pregnant women developing Gestational Mellitus.
• Help to ease inflammation.

Inositol Improves Insulin Resistance

Though the body voluntarily makes insulin, for people with PCOS, the body is sometimes more insulin resistant. Inositols are similar to a type of sugar our bodies make that helps balance our blood sugar levels, mood and fertility. They also help to increase your metabolism.

Due to the body’s failure to use insulin effectively, PCOS increases the risk of infertility, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. However, inositols produce molecules that trigger the body’s response to insulin.

You Can Get Inositols From Food and Supplements

There are two options when it comes to getting inositols. First, you can buy inositol supplements, powders, and pills. You can also get them from eating healthy, inositol-rich foods, such as:

• Citrus fruits
• Grapefruit
• Cantaloupe/rock melon
• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Whole wheat grains
• Brown rice
• Lima and navy beans

Inositols work well for many individuals, while diabetes drugs used to treat PCOS, such as Glucophage (Metformin), can come with some side effects, including nausea, stomach aches, and diarrhoea.

Myo-inositol & D-chiro Inositol Benefits For PCOS

Myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro inositol (DCI) are the most vital of the nine inositols, as they aid the body’s response to insulin for people with PCOS. They also play a significant role in controlling our hormones.

In females, MI helps regulate the hormone responsible for egg production, while DCI helps control the level of male hormones in women. The body needs MI, as well as a certain level of DCI for balance, decreasing insulin resistance and regulating blood sugar levels. This is why the body converts MI into DCI.

Research has shown a decreased ability for the bodies of those with PCOS disorder to convert MI into DCI inositols.

A High MI to DCI Ratio May Contribute to PCOS

For a while now, researchers have been interested in distinguishing which inositols work better at treating PCOS, MI or DCI. Various studies have proven that the two inositols should be used together for better insulin sensitivity and restarting ovulation.

When used in combination, the two inositols work better at helping the body release eggs and use insulin effectively. For a healthy female, the ratio of MI to DCI in the body’s tissues is roughly 40 to 1, while that of people with PCOS is much higher.

The 40 to 1 MI to DCI ratio is what doctors recommend for treating PCOS, as it is the most effective at enhancing fertility. On the other hand, food supplements made by companies come with a wide range of inositols ratios.

The Right MI to DCI Ratio Improves Fertility

PCOS affects up to 12% of the female population in Australia and worldwide. It is also the most common cause of infertility, and, in most cases, the symptoms begin when a female gets her first period.

Symptoms vary, as do levels of MI and DCI. For people with PCOS, levels of MI and DCI inositols in the ovaries are imbalanced. This affects various bodily functions, including:

Ovulation

Through the years, researchers have linked PCOS to decreased ovulation. People with this syndrome have higher DCI levels than MI, making ovulation less frequent or stopping it altogether.

Periods

If you have PCOS, you may notice irregular periods or none, which can be remedied using inositols.

Quality of the Egg

It is not rare for women with PCOS to produce less mature eggs than those with a healthy reproductive system, and this is because the follicular fluid surrounding the eggs inside the ovaries has a low amount of MI.

For eggs to mature, they need high levels of MI within the follicular fluid. The MI to DCI ratio for a healthy female’s follicular fluid is approximately 100 to 1. On the other hand, the ratio for infertile women with PCOS is approximately 0.2 to 1.

B8 is one of the best treatments for reinstituting ovulation and better egg quality. Aside from high levels of DCI preventing the body from absorbing enough MI, it also negatively affects the cells that gradually make eggs, leading to poor-quality eggs.

Myo-inositol is Used to Treat Gestational Diabetes

PCOS is a diabetes catalyst, so people with this disorder are four times more at risk of getting this disease. PCOS also  poses a risk for pregnant women developing a type of diabetes known as Gestational Diabetes (GD).

If you have PCOS or are overweight, taking PCOS supplements during pregnancy is vital, as they help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of GD. A 2012 study showed that only 17.4% of pregnant women with PCOS who took MI developed GD. However, 54% of those who did not take MI developed GD.

This effect is due to the body’s ability to make sugar in the form of inositols that assist in regulating insulin and cholesterol levels. We get inositols from specific supplements and healthy foods like citrus fruits, nuts and beans, and including these types of foods in our diet, along with taking MI and DCI inositols, are the most effective treatments for people with PCOS.

A 40 to 1 MI to DCI ratio is most helpful to any woman struggling with infertility, and this ratio also lowers cholesterol and insulin levels for people suffering from PCOS.

Inositols: A Summary

Treating people with PCOS by combining MI and DCI inositols is highly supported by researchers for its promising results. This option is also very affordable compared to most infertility treatments. If you have PCOS, ask your doctor if they can consider putting you on this treatment and whether it can benefit you.

As much as inositol supplements are readily available, it is not advised to try them without talking to your doctor, as self-administering the wrong ratios may negatively impact your body.

A good example is if you end up taking too much DCI. This can intensify the decrease of your oestrogen levels while increasing your androgen hormone levels.

If, after consulting with your doctor, they decide you can try an inositol treatment, be sure to watch what you eat and drink. Avoid alcohol and artificial sugars as much as possible, as they weaken the effectiveness of B8 supplements.

Fertility2Family is your partner in fertility health. From a range of fertility kits and ovulation tests to an expansive array of resources on our blog, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

For more information regarding PCOS and inositols, get in touch with us today.