“The pill didn’t help my PCOS symptoms – but this supplement did”

Pattern of white pills on pink background

Credit: Getty

Strong Women


“The pill didn’t help my PCOS symptoms – but this supplement did”

By Fani Mari

2 years ago

6 min read

After years of being prescribed the pill to deal with her PCOS, writer Fani Mari decided to give myo-inositol a go. Just a few weeks later, her periods came back…


Hormonal health may be a massive trend right now, but it’s something I’ve struggled with for years. I’m among the one in 10 women in the UK living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). My condition hasn’t been taken seriously by doctors – and still isn’t. Often, the only medication many people with PCOS are offered by GPs is the pill, which is treated like some kind of hormonal cure-all when, in reality, it simply masks some of the symptoms (like having an irregular cycle).

It wasn’t until I took matters into my own hands that I found a way of significantly reducing my own symptoms.

We know the pill can have a detrimental effect on some people’s mental and physical health, but millions of women also swear by hormonal contraception for improving acne, levelling out mood and offering a simple form of birth control.

For those of us with PCOS, however, those artificial hormones do nothing in terms of rebalancing our out-of-kilter sex hormones, improving our insulin sensitivity (often a key issue) or reducing the overproduction of cortisol by our adrenal glands (another common problem).

What is PCOS?

To take a step back for a moment, PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterised by a variety of symptoms. Dr Amit Shah, gynaecologist and co-founder of Fertility Plus, tells Strong Women that these include polycystic ovaries (cysts that form on the ovaries in a pearl necklace formation), insulin resistance, menstrual irregularities and elevated androgen levels, which can present as acne or excessive hair growth (hirsutism).

“It’s a complex condition related to insulin resistance and raised insulin blood levels (hyperinsulinemia),” explains fellow gynaecologist Dr Pavan Minhas.

Can you cure PCOS?

Like other metabolic diseases (eg type 2 diabetes), it’s possible to reverse PCOS symptoms to a point where you no longer experience signs day to day. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can be cured completely.

“Identifying the underlying driver of the PCOS you have is game-changing, as you can get to the root cause and find the right treatment plan through diet and lifestyle,” says Jessica Shand, naturopathic nutritionist and founder of Eat, Nourish and Glow.

    Ovary illustration

    Credit: Getty

    3 common types of PCOS

    • Insulin-resistant PCOS (the most common)
    • Adrenal PCOS
    • Post-pill PCOS

    “Too much insulin can impair ovulation and cause your ovaries to make testosterone instead of oestrogen. It can stimulate your pituitary gland to make more luteinising hormone (LH), which in turn results in even more androgens,” Shand adds. 

    Why is the pill prescribed for PCOS? 

    The combined pill contains both oestrogen and progestogen. This combination decreases the production of androgen ‘male’ hormones; by regulating those, the pill is thought to improve any abnormal bleeding, excess hair growth, oily skin and acne that may be caused by PCOS. But while it may be able to help reduce androgens, it won’t help if insulin resistance is your driver.

    I was given the combined pill for my irregular periods and acne, both of which had bothered me since my teens. I was on it for four and a half years before I decided to stop it. By then, it was making me feel incredibly moody and low and I started to worry about the very small risk of blood clotting (doctors will check if you have certain risk factors before prescribing it).

    “The oral contraceptive pill has been reported to worsen insulin resistance and associated symptoms in women with PCOS,” Shand tells Strong Women. One study, published in the Journal Of Women’s Health, found that it took just three months of taking the pill to reduce glucose tolerance.

    So, I decided to find a naturopath who might be able to help me find a more holistic treatment.

    Naturopaths, or ‘functional doctors’, are health practitioners who specialise in ‘natural’ treatments. They prescribe lifestyle interventions and herbal medicines. A course of treatment starts by them first recording your full medical history and discussing areas of concern before recommending relevant supplements and potential lifestyle changes to help your condition. They will require blood work, which I had done via my GP.

    I was already taking a variety of regular supplements, including vitamin D and a multivitamin. But there was one extra my functional doctor recommended, and it’s made the world of difference: myo-inositol.

    After just a few months of taking myo-inositol, my periods came back. I hadn’t made any other major lifestyle changes – this was a solo intervention. This was all a few years ago and after having my bloods re-tested, was told that my androgen levels are apparently now ‘normal’. Of course, I still have ‘cysts’ in my ovaries, but the supplement has both regulated my cycle and helped with bloating and period pain. It’s also helped to even out my blood sugar levels, which tend to spike more violently if you have insulin-resistant PCOS. And since stopping the pill, my low mood seems to have dissipated. 

    After just a few months of taking myo-inositol, my periods came back

    What is myo-inositol?

    “Myo-inositol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol,” Dr Shah explains. “You can find it in foods such as beans, grains and nuts, and it plays a vital role in insulin signalling.”

    It’s one of nine different types of inositols, says Shand, and it’s involved in “the metabolism, transport and breakdown of glucose and its conversion to glycogen”.

    “Myo-inositol works by improving insulin and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) signalling inside the ovary,” she explains. “This improves ovarian function and promotes healthy ovulation. Healthy ovulation is important – it’s like your health report card that tells you are making progesterone, a key hormone for period health.”

    How can myo-inositol help with PCOS?  

    The supplement is often recommended by more holistic practitioners for the management of PCOS symptoms, particularly if insulin resistance is thought to be the root issue.

    “Insulin resistance can contribute to hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles and metabolic dysfunction,” says Dr Shah. “So improving insulin sensitivity can support blood sugar levels and reduce potential negative effects on hormone function. It’s also been known to support more consistent ovulatory function.”

    Although there are only a handful of studies on the subject so far, those that do exist have discovered positive links between myo-inositol and PCOS outcomes. One 2017 study noted that myo-inositol may reduce PCOS symptoms, increase fertility, restore ovulation and improve the overall metabolic profile. Another has found it to be a good alternative to Metformin (a drug prescribed for managing high blood sugar levels). 

    Shand points to a study that may also be of interest to those who don’t have PCOS. “The study demonstrates myo-inositol’s significance in the stimulation of serotonin receptors (our ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter), therefore supporting its use for mood balance in the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. There are potential uses in depression and panic disorder too.” 

    Of course, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor or a health practitioner before starting any new supplement. In this case, make sure you’ve had all the relevant PCOS tests, ask about insulin sensitivity and then check that they have no issues with you trying myo-inositol. 

    It’s also worth saying that we’re all different, and PCOS is such an under-studied area of women’s health. What works for someone might not have any effect on the next person. 

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    Images: Getty; courtesy of brands

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