FullscriptRestorative Formulations
PCO Px
Label amount: 150 mg
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Myo-inositol
Also called: Inositol, D-chiro-inositol
A vitamin-like nutrient that helps cells respond to insulin. It's one of the better-studied supplements for PCOS.
Supplements can interact with medications and aren't right for everyone, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with a chronic condition. Ask your provider before you start.
Studied for
- PCOS: cycle regularity, ovulation, and insulin sensitivity
- Egg quality during fertility treatment (some studies)
- Blood sugar in pregnancy (some studies)
- Mood and anxiety (limited evidence)
Found naturally in
- Your body makes some
- Citrus fruits and cantaloupe
- Beans
- Whole grains
- Nuts
Label red flags
- Products that don't say which form of inositol they contain
- Capsules that provide only a small share of the amounts used in studies
Check with a provider
- Pregnancy or trying to conceive. It's studied in pregnancy, but check with your practitioner first.
- Diabetes, or taking medicines that lower blood sugar
- Bipolar disorder or taking lithium
- Can cause gas, nausea, or loose stools at higher amounts
Supplements that contain it
3 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary list myo-inositol on the label.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Parts of the body it affects
Explore what each area does and the conditions that can affect it.
Reproductive organs
Your ovaries and uterus shape your cycle, fertility, and hormones. Sex hormones also influence the immune system, one reason autoimmune disease is more common in women.
Pancreas
Your pancreas makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon, which keep blood sugar steady.
Illustrations: Servier Medical Art, CC BY 4.0
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.