Key Takeaways
Ovasitol by Theralogix is the market leader in PCOS inositol products.
I was once skeptical of the added value of Ovasitol compared to other formulations. In this article, I explain why I changed my mind. I now recommend this product to women that take part in my free 30-Day PCOS Diet Challenge and Beat PCOS 10-Week Program.
The Benefits Of Inositol
Inositol supplements are well-studied in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. As I’ve written about in detail here, inositol has the following benefits:
- Inositol improves insulin sensitivity and hormone balance in both lean and overweight women with PCOS [1-4].
- Myo-inositol may be as good as metformin for improving insulin sensitivity and testosterone [5, 6, 30].
- Because of its impact on insulin, inositol can help reduce sugar cravings. This makes it easier to follow a PCOS diet. I see this a lot in my PCOS support group.
- Myo-inositol helps restore normal ovarian function and more regular menstrual cycles [7]. It can also increase egg quality [8-9].
- Studies on women receiving fertility treatments have shown increases in pregnancy rates [10-13]. Supplementation also reduces the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome [9].
- Myo-inositol has also been shown to have modest benefits for acne [14], hirsutism [15], and weight loss [7, 16]. The size of the effect here is not likely to be life-changing though.
There are ingredients to be wary of when choosing products. And there are some types of inositol you may want to limit when trying to conceive. But if a product contains 4,000 mg/day of myo-inositol, then there are health benefits to be had. This is the typical recommended dose for PCOS.
Summary
Daily inositol supplementation can help restore healthy hormone levels in PCOS patients. This can impact a wide range of systems relating to both fertility and metabolic health.
Criticism Of 40:1 Combined Therapy Myo-inositol
Ovasitol by Theralogix is a combination product. It contains 40 parts of myo-inositol for every 1-part D-chiro-inositol. Dosing is 2,000 mg of myo-inositol + 50 mg of D-chiro-inositol, taken twice daily.
Both Theralogix and the scientific community have long said that a 40:1 ratio is the best for PCOS [17-19].
Back in 2017, I was skeptical of this claim. When I looked at the data, all these perspectives were informed by only two randomized controlled trials [20, 21]. Each with shortcomings and limitations.
Other experts had noted that a 40:1 ratio, “seems arbitrary”. They also said that “without further scientific evidence, the 40:1 ratio has no reason to be considered preferable to other available formulations” [22].
A 2019 study dampened these concerns.
Summary
Before 2019, many experts raised concerns about the over-emphasis on treatment with a 40:1 combined inositol supplement. This ratio was considered “arbitrary”.
The Study That Changed My Mind
Nordio and colleagues tested various ratios of myo- and D-chiro inositol in women with PCOS. They looked at ratios of 1:3.5, 2.5:1, 5:1, 40:1, and 80:1. They also tested D-chiro inositol alone. Out of all these combinations, they found that a 40:1 formulation was best at restoring ovulation and improving fertility [23]. This randomized, open-label comparison trial made me change my mind.
I now think that products like Ovasitol are the best formulation for women with PCOS. Ovasitol’s 40:1 ratio of inositol isomers has been demonstrated in mouse models of PCOS. It’s also been tested in other clinical trials [23-25].
Summary
Recent comparative trials have shown that a 40:1 ratio of myo- and D-chiro inositol is superior for the treatment of PCOS. Ovasitol is the market-leading supplier of this type of inositol supplement.
Cheapest Places To Buy Ovasitol
You can buy Ovasitol on Amazon. Many pharmacies also stock it. For the best deal though, you should buy it directly from your local distributor.
USA: US customers can buy Ovasitol from Theralogix here. Use the link provided or type in the Provider Referral Code (PRC) A29927 at checkout. This will get you $14 off the retail price for a 90-day supply.
Canada: Canadian customers can purchase Ovasitol directly from Theralogix Canada here. Use the link provided or type in discount code KYM at checkout for $10 off the retail price. Please note that your discount will only show up at the final stage of checkout.
When Is Inositol Worth Taking?
If you’re struggling with infertility or insulin resistance, then inositol is well worth considering. Especially if you’re already taking insulin-sensitizing prescription medications.
When used as directed, inositol supplements are safe. So much so, that women with PCOS are sometimes advised to take myo-inositol during pregnancy [26-28]. The ingredients used in Ovasitol are naturally present in the body. This means that the downside risk is low. It’s also fairly affordable, as results are typically observed within 3 – 6 months.
Summary
Inositol supplements, like Ovasitol, are suitable for the majority of people with PCOS. This is a safe, effective, and relatively affordable PCOS treatment.
How To Enhance The Benefits Of Ovasitol For PCOS
Dietary supplements like Ovasitol are only one of many evidence-based PCOS natural treatments. The way to get the best results with Ovasitol is to change your diet too. This helps address the underlying mechanisms that cause PCOS. Switching to the best macros for PCOS, for example, can reverse insulin resistance. Eliminating foods like gluten, dairy, and sugar reduces inflammation. While each change on its own is small, collectively, they make a big difference.
To start putting a PCOS diet into practice, sign-up for my free 30-Day PCOS Diet Challenge. Or get started today with this free 3-Day Meal Plan.
Summary
The benefits of nutritional supplements, like Ovasitol, are much greater when combined with a PCOS-friendly diet.
The Bottom Line
Ovasitol is a safe and effective PCOS treatment. While the marketing claims are many, there is good scientific evidence supporting its use. Recent evidence shows that the 40:1 formulation used in Ovasitol is superior to competitor products. For PCOS women struggling with infertility or insulin resistance, then inositol supplements are well worth considering.
Whether you take inositol or not, dietary change is essential for getting your PCOS in check. Start this process by signing up for my free 30-Day PCOS Diet Challenge. Or begin today with this free 3-Day Meal Plan.
FAQ
What is the Ovasitol dosage for PCOS? Ovasitol is an unflavored inositol powder. It comes either in a canister or in individual packets. A single dose is one leveled scoop from the canister, or one packet.
How long do I need to take Ovasitol? At least 3 months is recommended. By 6 months, most benefits will be realized. Discontinuation may cause symptoms to return unless you’ve made diet and lifestyle changes in the meantime.
Do I need a prescription for Ovasitol? No. Inositol is a nutritional supplement that’s available over the counter.
What are the side effects? No relevant adverse effects were found in several studies that used 4000 mg per day of myo-inositol throughout pregnancy [28, 29].
Can I take Ovasitol with Metformin? Myo-inositol-containing supplements can improve insulin sensitivity as much as metformin [5, 6, 30]. Caution is warranted when taking both of these medicines together. Your metformin dose may need to be reduced or ceased.
Author
As a Nutritionist, I’m continuing my mission to help women like you, beat PCOS. Evidence-based diet and lifestyle interventions helped me overcome five years of infertility. I fell pregnant naturally after multiple failed IVF cycles. Along the way, my other PCOS symptoms went away too. This experience taught me how to combine the latest science with a pragmatic approach to habit change. I’ve now helped thousands of other women achieve life-changing results, and I love for you to be the next PCOS success story. Learn more about me and what I do here.
References
1Kamenov, Z. and A. Gateva, Inositols in PCOS. Molecules, 2020. 25(23).
2Unfer, V., et al., Effects of myo-inositol in women with PCOS: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2012. 28(7): p. 509-15.
3Iuorno, M.J., et al., Effects of d-chiro-inositol in lean women with the polycystic ovary syndrome. Endocr Pract, 2002. 8(6): p. 417-23.
4Laganà, A.S., L. Barbaro, and A. Pizzo, Evaluation of ovarian function and metabolic factors in women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome after treatment with D-Chiro-Inositol. Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2015. 291(5): p. 1181-6.
5Facchinetti, F., et al., Short-term effects of metformin and myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2019. 35(3): p. 198-206.
6Jamilian, M., et al., Comparison of myo-inositol and metformin on clinical, metabolic and genetic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf), 2017. 87(2): p. 194-200.
7Gerli, S., et al., Randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trial: effects of myo-inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2007. 11(5): p. 347-54.
8Ciotta, L., et al., Effects of myo-inositol supplementation on oocyte’s quality in PCOS patients: a double blind trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2011. 15(5): p. 509-14.
9Papaleo, E., et al., Myo-inositol may improve oocyte quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. A prospective, controlled, randomized trial. Fertil Steril, 2009. 91(5): p. 1750-4.
10Zheng, X., et al., Inositol supplement improves clinical pregnancy rate in infertile women undergoing ovulation induction for ICSI or IVF-ET. Medicine (Baltimore), 2017. 96(49): p. e8842.
11Artini, P.G., et al., Endocrine and clinical effects of myo-inositol administration in polycystic ovary syndrome. A randomized study. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2013. 29(4): p. 375-9.
12Raffone, E., P. Rizzo, and V. Benedetto, Insulin sensitiser agents alone and in co-treatment with r-FSH for ovulation induction in PCOS women. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2010. 26(4): p. 275-80.
13Emekçi Özay, Ö., et al., Myo-inositol administration positively effects ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective, controlled, randomized trial. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2017. 33(7): p. 524-528.
14Zacchè, M.M., et al., Efficacy of myo-inositol in the treatment of cutaneous disorders in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2009. 25(8): p. 508-13.
15Minozzi, M., G. D’Andrea, and V. Unfer, Treatment of hirsutism with myo-inositol: a prospective clinical study. Reprod Biomed Online, 2008. 17(4): p. 579-82.
16Le Donne, M., et al., Effects of three treatment modalities (diet, myoinositol or myoinositol associated with D-chiro-inositol) on clinical and body composition outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2019. 23(5): p. 2293-2301.
17Dinicola, S., et al., The rationale of the myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol combined treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Pharmacol, 2014. 54(10): p. 1079-92.
18Genazzani, A.D., Inositol as putative integrative treatment for PCOS. Reprod Biomed Online, 2016. 33(6): p. 770-780.
19Monastra, G., et al., Combining treatment with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol (40:1) is effective in restoring ovary function and metabolic balance in PCOS patients. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2017. 33(1): p. 1-9.
20Nordio, M. and E. Proietti, The combined therapy with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol reduces the risk of metabolic disease in PCOS overweight patients compared to myo-inositol supplementation alone. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2012. 16(5): p. 575-81.
21Colazingari, S., et al., The combined therapy myo-inositol plus d-chiro-inositol, rather than d-chiro-inositol, is able to improve IVF outcomes: results from a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2013. 288(6): p. 1405-1411.
22Sortino, M.A., et al., Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Insights into the Therapeutic Approach with Inositols. Front Pharmacol, 2017. 8: p. 341.
23Nordio, M., S. Basciani, and E. Camajani, The 40:1 myo-inositol/D-chiro-inositol plasma ratio is able to restore ovulation in PCOS patients: comparison with other ratios. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2019. 23(12): p. 5512-5521.
24Roseff, S. and M. Montenegro, Inositol Treatment for PCOS Should Be Science-Based and Not Arbitrary. Int J Endocrinol, 2020. 2020: p. 6461254.
25Bevilacqua, A., et al., Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol (40:1) reverse histological and functional features of polycystic ovary syndrome in a mouse model. J Cell Physiol, 2019. 234(6): p. 9387-9398.
26D’Anna, R., et al., Myo-Inositol for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. A Brief Review. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 2019. 65(Supplement): p. S59-s61.
27Sobota-Grzeszyk, A., M. Kuźmicki, and J. Szamatowicz, Myoinositol in the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Is It Sensible? J Diabetes Res, 2019. 2019: p. 3915253.
28D’Anna, R., et al., Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes in PCOS women. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2012. 28(6): p. 440-2.
29Regidor, P.A. and A.E. Schindler, Myoinositol as a Safe and Alternative Approach in the Treatment of Infertile PCOS Women: A German Observational Study. Int J Endocrinol, 2016. 2016: p. 9537632.
30Zhao, H., et al., Comparative efficacy of oral insulin sensitizers metformin, thiazolidinediones, inositol, and berberine in improving endocrine and metabolic profiles in women with PCOS: a network meta-analysis. Reprod Health, 2021. 18(1): p. 171.
As a Nutritionist, I’m continuing my mission to help women like you, beat PCOS. Evidence-based diet and lifestyle interventions helped me overcome five years of infertility. I fell pregnant naturally after multiple failed IVF cycles. Along the way, my other PCOS symptoms went away too. This experience taught me how to combine the latest science with a pragmatic approach to habit change. I’ve now helped thousands of other women achieve life-changing results, and I love for you to be the next PCOS success story. Learn more about me and what I do here.
