For a while I suspected that I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – but it was only once I received this confirmation that I realised just how common it is.
It is said that one in 10 women will experience it at some point in their lives and while the symptoms can be incredibly varied, common ones include acne breakouts, weight gain, hair growth and irregular periods.
Getting a diagnosis was no easy task but sadly that’s just the start of the challenges. It’s not like you can just take medication and all will be cured, and most often women are encouraged to take the contraceptive pill to balance our hormones.
But a close friend of mine, who also has the condition, informed me of an additional option. She had found success with inositol supplements to manage the symptoms like hormonal breakouts. I had to know more.
What is myo-inositol?
Found naturally in the body, inositol is a form of sugar that is required for the structure, growth and development of cell membranes. It is said to impact insulin and certain chemical messengers and so can help with mental health conditions that include panic disorder, OCD and depression.
Myo-inositol is the most common and most researched form of inositol, and the two terms are used pretty interchangeably. Myo-inositol has many functions, including signalling to the cells, glucose uptake and benefits metabolic health. Other forms like d-chiro inositol exist with different functionalities.
What does myo-inositol do?
According to Dr. Taz, Integrative medicine physician and founder of Holplus.co, “Myo-inositol improves insulin sensitivity and ovarian function while also helping mood and weight”. He adds that he frequently prescribes it as one element of his protocols for PCOS and fertility. Yet it’s important to note that they should not replace your prescription.
What are the benefits of myo-inositol as a supplement?
In supplement form, the ingredient works in “regulating blood sugar and improving hormone balance”, the physician explains, which is why it can be used in many hormone conditions and diseases - not just PCOS but for pre diabetics, diabetes and anxiety too.
You can also find it in foods like meat, fruit, corn, beans and grains.
Who should take myo-inositol as a supplement?
“I think myo-inositol is good for anyone starting to experience the signs of insulin resistance, belly fat, weight gain, fatigue after eating and poor carbohydrate intolerance - along with hormone patterns of hypothyroidism, oestrogen dominance or low testosterone for example”, Dr Taz reveals.
Who should avoid myo-inositol supplements?
The integrative medicine physician says, “We typically do not recommend for pregnant or breast-feeding women, patients with kidney disease, children or those with a history of allergic reactions”.
Shop the best myo-inositol supplements below
Sixways Hormone Balance
Best for: Hormonal balance and energy
If you love hot drinks, this hormone-balancing, decaffeinated coffee blend makes the perfect addition to your daily routine.
The powder is packed with adaptogens like maitake mushroom, maca root and ginger root offering a cocktail of wellbeing-boosting ingredients in every cup. Maitake mushroom is known for its stress-reducing properties and ability to regulate blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for those managing insulin sensitivity or conditions like PCOS. Maca root helps balance oestrogen and testosterone levels.
It also includes myo-inositol to support PCOS sufferers, zinc for fertility and reproductive health and vitamin B9 (folic acid) to promote regular ovulation and ease menopausal hot flashes. The added chromium can stabilise blood sugar and combat that afternoon slump.
The vegan blend can be mixed with milk or water for an energising drink without the caffeine crash.
Buy now £35.00, Sixways
My Ova Metabolism
Managing PCOS can feel like an uphill battle, with hormonal imbalances affecting everything from metabolism to appetite and energy levels.
That’s where My Ova Metabolism steps in, a targeted supplement designed to support women with PCOS by balancing glucose levels and aiding weight management.
What makes this supplement stand out is its thoughtful formulation. Myo-inositol, a key ingredient, has been widely studied for its role in improving insulin sensitivity and supporting hormonal health.
It’s combined with chromium, known for stabilising blood sugar, and alpha lipoic acid, which helps the body process carbohydrates more efficiently.
The addition of cinnamon, cayenne pepper and white kidney bean extract enhances metabolism, while sea kelp provides essential iodine for thyroid support.
Buy now £32.40, Amazon
Novomins PCOS Inositol 60 Gummies
Novomins’ PCOS Inositol supplements were recommended to me by a friend who was also diagnosed with PCOS.
The reason that they are so lauded is for the sheer ease in their consumption - they come in a tasty gummy form. Add in that Novomins is a trustworthy brand that puts its formulas through independent lab testing to ensure quality and purity, and I felt confident to try.
The Inositol-based options blend nine essential vitamins, including B6 with myo-inositol to balance hormones as well as combat fatigue.
Buy now £19.99, Holland & Barrett
Nutri Advanced Myo - Inositol Powder
Myo-inositol is a name you’ll see come up over and over again in relation to hormone regulation and that’s because it is found naturally in the body to stimulate the likes of thyroid, follicle and insulin for your body to balance itself out naturally.
It is, however, not always possible to get it from your diet alone, which is where this supplement from Nutri Advanced comes in.
It has been scientifically backed and created to be highly soluble. As it’s a powder, it can be slipped into your morning juice with a whole host of benefits like supporting metabolic health and maybe even restoring ovulation.
Buy now £21.99, Amazon
Youth & Earth Women’s Fertility
Drawing not only from a palette of vitamins and minerals that support female fertility including iron, zinc and D3, but from a wider range of scientifically-backed plants and herbs, these capsules help keep both ovulation and periods regular, plus regulate hormones too.
Vegan and vegetarian, as well as being free from gluten and GMOs, key ingredients you might not find in other formulas include myo-inositol, a compound known to support ovulatory function and menstrual regularity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of infertility. There is also the antioxidant coenzyme Q10, said to support egg quality and the adaptogenic vegetable extract maca root, believed to keep hormones in check.
Another popular adaptogen, the ayurvedic root extract ashwagandha, helps reduce stress and anxiety levels by reducing cortisol levels to positively impact reproductive health. Take two any time of day, with or without food.
Buy now £35.99, Youth & Earth
Nutri Advanced MegaMag Fem Balance Magnesium Glycinate Powder
Designed for women with the sole aim of balancing hormones, Nutri Advanced has incorporated a highly absorbable form of magnesium, calcium, vitamins B, C and E and myo-inositol into its formula.
The latter is particularly noteworthy for its ability to regulate hormones, but the likes of magnesium boost energy, while the vitamins support the nervous and immune systems.
The powder can be slipped into water or juice and has an orange flavouring.
Buy now £38.69, Amazon
Artah Metabolic Fix
A blend of naturally occurring chemicals like chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, inositol, and TikTok favourite berberine, this supplement promises to support your metabolism, stabilise blood sugar and increase your energy levels.
Buy now £32.00, Artah
Biocare Gluco Complex 90 Capsules
To give the body a healthy hit of nutrients, Gluco Complex is on hand. It contains a high dose of chromium selected for its ability to balance blood glucose levels, while B vitamins, manganese and magnesium will energise your day.
The ingredient list also includes myoinositol, an element found naturally in the body that, when supplemented, can have benefits ranging from combating the symptoms of PCOS to improving mental health.
Buy now £29.39, Biocare
