The Seven Best Supplements For PCOS

by Krista Russ

September 7, 2023

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility in women, accountable for 20-25 percent of all cases [1]. PCOS can result in anovulation (lack of ovulation), making it more difficult to get pregnant, though not everyone with PCOS struggles to conceive. It can also cause a range of unwanted secondary symptoms such as facial hair growth, acne, and heavy or irregular periods in many women with PCOS.  

Having PCOS also puts you at risk of several long-term metabolic complications like type two diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and certain cancers. For instance, it is estimated that as many as 45 percent of women with PCOS develop pre-diabetes or full blown diabetes by age 40 [2].  

In this article, we introduce seven of the best supplements for managing PCOS based on the latest research with regards to infertility, secondary symptoms like acne and facial hair growth, and prevention of long-term complications.  

To find a doctor near you, simply search the Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) Provider Directory.

The first four supplements are insulin sensitizers. The remaining three are anti-inflammatory—meaning they help to reduce inflammation levels in your body. This is important because low-grade inflammation is known to play a role in PCOS.  

What Are Insulin Sensitizers?

Most women with PCOS struggle with a condition known as insulin resistance (IR). In fact, insulin resistance is thought to cause much of the metabolic disruption seen in PCOS. IR can disrupt hormone balance, impact your menstrual cycle, and is responsible for many of the long-term complications of PCOS like heart disease and type two diabetes. 

Before we discuss insulin sensitizing supplements and the benefits they offer, we have to define insulin resistance, which starts with understanding the hormone insulin. This important energy storage hormone helps the body regulate blood sugar levels by allowing uptake of glucose (sugar) into cells. When we are healthy, our cells are sensitive to insulin, which simply means they respond robustly to it so that only small amounts of insulin are needed to get the job done. But when cells are resistant to insulin, much more is needed.  

This can cause problems overtime because insulin has other actions–namely, promoting fat storage. Too much of that and you get excessive fat storage–not just under your skin where it belongs–but in your liver, heart, arteries, pancreas, and more– where it causes long-term health problems like heart disease and fatty liver.  

Supplements and drugs that promote insulin sensitivity allow insulin to work better so that smaller amounts are needed. Since excess insulin can cause the ovaries to produce excessive testosterone in many women and disrupt other important hormones, reducing insulin levels will often improve PCOS. The supplements below work in different ways, but they all improve the body’s sensitivity or responsiveness to insulin. 

Inositol

Inositol is a vitamin-like compound that has been shown to improve the function of insulin receptors [1]. There are actually two different forms–Myo (MI) and D-Chiro (DCI). Taking them both in the correct ratios offers more benefits than either alone. In fact, taking MI-DCI in the wrong ratio may even cause inadvertent harm. Download our eBook to learn more about the correct ratio as well as the specific benefits of inositol with regards to PCOS.  

Magnesium

Many women with PCOS are lacking in this essential mineral that serves as a coenzyme (enzyme helper) for chemical reactions in the body involved in handling sugar. In fact, women with PCOS are nineteen times more likely to be deficient in magnesium which has major health implications, including contributing to higher levels of anxiety and depression often seen in PCOS [3]. To get the most benefit from magnesium, it’s important that you take a highly absorbable form—a form we discuss in our eBook.  

Berberine

Studies have shown this plant-derived compound has benefits comparable to the drug metformin, a first-line drug for PCOS and type two diabetes [4]. To learn more about the benefits of berberine, including the ideal dosage to take, download our eBook.  

N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC)

This antioxidant is both insulin sensitizing and anti-inflammatory. Research shows that NAC may even be more effective than metformin for improving insulin sensitivity and fasting blood sugar levels [1].  

Anti-inflammatory Supplements

CoQ10, Vitamin D, and fish oil all work in different ways to reduce inflammation in your body. This is important because the inflammation often present in PCOS is known to interfere with health in multiple ways, including negatively impacting implantation of a fertilized egg (infertility) and along with hormonal imbalances (low progesterone, high estrogen) inflammation is linked to certain cancers being more prevalent in PCOS like endometrial and breast.  

To learn more about how these compounds can help, including the ideal forms and dosages to take, be sure to download our eBook. 

The Bottom Line

We have only scratched the surface of how these supplements can benefit PCOS.  

To learn more about how these supplements can improve your PCOS, including the best forms and dosages to take for optimal results, be sure to download our eBook and check out our next blog that builds on this one: 6 Powerful Diets For Combating PCOS.

As always, to best improve your health, we strongly recommend you speak with an APIM | WLM Trained Provider who can help you form a personalized blueprint to support your wellness based around a variety of strategies, including diet, bioidentical hormones, and supplements pertaining to your specific health goals. 

To find a doctor near you, simply search the Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) Provider Directory.

Sources:

By CNY Fertility. The Ten Best Supplements for PCOS. CNY Fertility. Updated on December 15, 2021. Accessed August 4, 2023. https://www.cnyfertility.com/pcos-supplements/    

Michos ED. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: How Your Ovaries Can Affect Your Heart. John Hopkins Medicine. Accessed August 3, 2023. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-how-your-ovaries-can-affect-your-heart   

Grassi A, Schlanger L. What Women With PCOS Should Know About Magnesium. Verywell Health. Updated on November 09, 2022. Accessed August 5, 2023. https://www.verywellhealth.com/pcos-and-magnesium-4145000  

Grassi A. King K. Berberine for PCOS: Benefits and Side Effects. Verywell Health. Updated on January 21, 2023. Accessed August 4, 2023. https://www.verywellhealth.com/pcos-and-berberine-4136324#citation-2