Better PCOS Management: An Exploration of Supplements That Help
Secure Ordering | Free Shipping | Best Quality | Best Prices
Along with providing information on whether PCOS supplements might be right for you, this article also links to Fullscript where you can buy high quality supplements. Order online through Fullscript’s secure healthcare formulary to get the best prices and free shipping on professional-grade supplements.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age. Its symptoms, such as irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and weight change, can be frustrating to live with, but the impact of PCOS often goes deeper. Many women with PCOS also experience higher levels of inflammation and hormonal imbalances that can disrupt ovulation and affect overall health.
Beyond the physical challenges, PCOS can increase the likelihood of mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, making it a condition that affects both body and mind.
In this article, we’ll look at the science behind PCOS and explore how certain research-backed supplements may help manage its symptoms. We’ll cover what these supplements do, the benefits they may offer, and how they could fit into a broader routine of care and self-management.
Understanding PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, more commonly known as PCOS, is one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. While the main symptoms such as irregular periods, excessive hair growth, acne, and weight gain can be frustrating, the health concerns extend beyond these. PCOS is often linked to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to weight gain and increase your risk of serious health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
Causes and Effects of PCOS
While no one can really say what causes PCOS, one key factor is insulin resistance. Up to 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance. This can lead to higher levels of insulin in the body, which can in turn increase the production of androgens (male hormones) like testosterone. These male hormones are often higher in women with PCOS, disrupting the development and release of eggs during ovulation. Additionally, lower levels of progesterone are common, which can lead to irregular periods. Another significant factor is inflammation. Women with PCOS often have increased levels of inflammation, which could be linked to insulin resistance.
It’s important to know that the effects of PCOS extend beyond these symptoms. Women with this condition are at a higher risk for several health issues, including diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety also are present more often in women with PCOS.
PCOS Symptoms
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by a variety of symptoms and signs, although not all women with the condition will experience all of them. Common symptoms often include irregular or absent periods, which is frequently one of the first signs of PCOS. Many women with PCOS may also have difficulty becoming pregnant due to irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate. Around 70% of women with PCOS experience excessive hair growth, typically on the face, chest, back, or buttocks, a symptom known as hirsutism. Other potential signs of PCOS include weight gain or difficulty losing weight, thinning hair or hair loss from the head, and oily skin or acne. Many of these symptoms are related to insulin resistance. [PMC9964744]
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin acts like a key to let blood sugar into cells. Insulin resistance is when the keys don’t work well and, even though you may have plenty of insulin, your blood sugar increases. So this problem leads to high levels of both insulin and glucose in your blood. It’s a key factor in developing type 2 diabetes. [PMC1204764]
If you have insulin resistance, you might experience a few distinct symptoms. This includes weight gain (especially around the waist), dark patches of skin on the back of the neck (acanthosis nigricans), and feeling tired after meals. Most women with PCOS have insulin resistance, but some 20-30% don’t.
If you suspect you have insulin resistance, there are several lab tests your healthcare provider might recommend. These could include a fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR, or a glucose tolerance test. Each of these tests provides different information about your body’s insulin sensitivity. The tests are often used together to provide a comprehensive picture.
Women with PCOS can come in all shapes and sizes. You might be surprised to learn that not all women with PCOS are overweight or have insulin resistance. This condition, known as “Lean PCOS,” can be particularly challenging to diagnose since it doesn’t present the typical physical signs of PCOS. On the other hand, if you have PCOS and carry extra weight, especially around your midsection, you are much more likely to have insulin resistance.
Understanding your insulin resistance status is important because it directly impacts the lifestyle choices you’ll want to make. Research shows that specific dietary modifications, such as adopting a low-carb or Mediterranean-style diet, can help manage insulin resistance. Regular exercise, particularly a mix of cardio and strength training, can also improve insulin sensitivity. Don’t forget about stress management too; practices like mindfulness, yoga, or even simple breathing exercises can contribute to better insulin function.
Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article aims to offer valuable insights into which nutritional supplements have undergone scientific study and shown promise in supporting specific health conditions. We break down the research, so you can work with your medical providers to make informed decisions about adding supplements to your health regimen. For personalized advice tailored to your needs, we recommend consulting with a registered dietitian in addition to your primary care provider.
Check with your physician when adding supplements. While supplements are generally safe for most people, do not add nutritional supplements without your physician’s specific approval if you are pregnant or nursing, are undergoing cancer treatment, have a history of organ transplant, liver or kidney disease, or take medications that interact with supplements.
Nutrition Supplements in PCOS Management
Supplements can play a role in helping to manage PCOS by balancing hormones and managing symptoms. Here are a few key supplements known to be beneficial:
Berberine: Berberine has been shown in studies to potentially improve insulin sensitivity, regulate menstrual cycles, and reduce androgen levels, making it a promising supplement for managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). A review of the studies on berberine in PCOS showed that berberine seemed to be just as effective as a common medication called metformin at improving insulin resistance and other related factors. Combining berberine with metformin didn’t appear to provide any additional benefit, but combining berberine with a medication called cyproterone acetate did seem to improve some aspects of reproductive hormone levels. [PMC6261244]
Chromium: Chromium is a mineral that enhances the function of insulin and could be beneficial in managing insulin resistance in PCOS. Not all studies on chromium and insulin resistance show consistent results, but many well-constructed studies show benefit. In a 6-month study of women with PCOS, half were given 1000 micrograms of chromium picolinate, while the other group received a placebo. All participants were encouraged to follow the same diet and exercise routines. After six months of taking chromium picolinate, BMI decreased, fasting insulin levels decreased, and insulin resistance was reduced. Notably, the chances of regular menstruation and ovulation nearly doubled after five months of treatment with chromium picolinate. [PMID: 26663540] In a separate review, researchers looked at studies that had explored the effects of chromium supplements (typically 200–1000 mcg/day) on measures related to PCOS. These measures included hormone levels, blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, and others. They concluded that chromium supplements can help in managing PCOS by reducing body mass index, fasting insulin, and free testosterone levels. [PMID: 28595797]
Vitamin D: Many women with PCOS have been found to have a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of several aspects of fertility and healthy glucose metabolism. Supplementation can help to correct this common deficiency, potentially improving symptoms and overall health. Many women are deficient in Vitamin D, and this can contribute to problems with insulin resistance. The only way to know for sure is to get your Vitamin D tested. You can order online to obtain a Vitamin D test at your local lab by ordering through our affiliate link. A lab value above 50 ng/ml is considered optimal by many providers. Studies have shown that Vitamin D supplementation helps reduce insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). [PMC6266903]
Folic Acid: Especially important for women trying to conceive, folic acid can improve fertility and assist in the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood. [PMC4172634] Some research suggests that women with PCOS may have higher levels of homocysteine, which could contribute to the risk of developing heart disease. [PMID: 3574134]
Zinc: Zinc is an essential mineral that may help reduce the production of excess androgens, regulate menstrual cycles, and manage some of the symptoms of PCOS such as acne and hair loss. A study randomized 48 women with PCOS to get either 50 mg/day of a zinc supplement or a placebo for eight weeks. Note that the upper limit for Zinc has been set at 40 mg/day. In a nutshell, taking 50 mg of zinc each day for eight weeks appeared to reduce hair loss, unwanted hair growth, and a marker of oxidative stress in women with PCOS. Also, levels of a substance in the blood called malondialdehyde (MDA), which is a marker of cell-damaging oxidative stress, also dropped. [PMID: 26315303]
Inositol: Inositol is a vitamin-like compound found in many foods and made in the body. Two forms: myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol are the ones most often studied for PCOS because they’re involved in how cells respond to insulin. For many women with PCOS, inositol is used as a nutrition-focused tool to support better insulin sensitivity, which can ripple out into more regular cycles and, in some cases, lower androgen-related symptoms. In a review that pooled data from controlled trials, myo-inositol improved insulin resistance in women with PCOS and was also linked with higher estrogen levels compared with placebo [PMID: 29052180]. Another study found that a combination of myo-inositol plus D-chiro-inositol produced stronger results after three months, and it appeared to be a better fit for overweight women with PCOS [PMID: 22774396]. In fertility settings, myo-inositol has also been studied in women going through assisted reproduction, where it has been linked with improved pregnancy rates in some research. A commonly discussed detail is the 40:1 ratio of myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol, which has been reported as a ratio that can support ovulation in PCOS when compared with other ratios [PMID: 31298405]. There’s also research suggesting that myo-inositol and melatonin together may support egg and embryo quality in IVF contexts (PMID: 26507336). Typical research dose (myo-inositol): 2,000–6,000 mg per day.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These essential fatty acids are known to help lower testosterone levels and regulate menstrual cycles. Additionally, omega-3s may improve insulin resistance and decrease the risk of heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids might help manage PCOS. According to research, taking omega-3 supplements could help improve insulin resistance, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and increase levels of a hormone (adiponectin) that helps regulate glucose. This makes omega-3 a good addition to a PCOS management plan. [PMC5870911] The research shows that taking omega-3 supplements could help improve insulin resistance, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and increase levels of a hormone (adiponectin) that helps regulate glucose. This makes omega-3 a good addition to a PCOS management plan. [PMC5870911] But that statement almost seems trivial when you consider the importance of omega-3 intake and its effect on the quality of oocytes a woman produces. Researchers combed the literature for studies of omega-3 intake and embryo quality in women who were receiving high-tech fertility treatments. They concluded that women supplementing with omega-3 produced higher-quality embryos. [PMID: 35779332]
Magnesium: Magnesium is a crucial mineral involved in hundreds of bodily functions, including blood sugar control. Research suggests that magnesium supplementation can help improve insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS. [PMID: 37393389]
When you purchase linked products presented on this page, Supplement Sciences, LLC receives affiliate fees so that our dietitians can continue to create great content.
Thank you for your support!
Order PCOS Supplements Online
Why Professionals Choose the Fullscript Formulary
Health professionals know that many online and retail options set a very low bar for quality– sometimes amazingly low. The Fullscript formulary is the most secure online source for the highest quality brands, securely sourced to assure freshness and purity. Here’s what makes Fullscript the best:
Meticulous vetting of brand quality. Meticulous vetting of brand quality. Health professionals trust Fullscript to monitor the quality of every item. While other retailers prioritize profit above all else, Fullscript focuses solely on quality and reliability. Unlike discount stores and large online marketplaces, you won’t find ingredients sourced from China or other questionable suppliers.
Free shipping over $50and best prices when you order through Supplement Sciences.
Wide Selection: Access to the entire Fullscript formulary. Search for the exact brands and products you want.
Easy Sign-up & No Spam Email: Click “View Product” or the button below to be taken to Fullscript’s login page where you can quickly create your secure account with just your name, email, and phone number. Then you will be taken directly to the product page.
The NutriScape Lab Shop (Affiliate Link) contains a number of labs that may be very helpful for evaluating PCOS. Interpretation is very complex, so you will want to work with a provider specializing in PCOS. The links below can help you become familiar with the testing options available.
Although this article discusses supplements in detail, don’t forget that we are absolutely committed to the “Food First” approach to nutrition. When it comes to your health, the totality of your eating habits far surpasses the impact of individual nutrients or any single supplement you consume. Even though this article doesn’t delve into the broader picture of your overall diet, it’s crucial to keep this element at the forefront of our minds. Food is one of the “Pillars of Health”. Your food needs to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals to nourish your body systems down to the cellular level.
Food choices, rather than supplements, are the most critical factors for a healthy gut microbiome. These trillions of tiny inhabitants in your gut affect your brain waves; they orchestrate your immune system. They possess the power to create molecules that can switch genes on or off and are even capable of synthesizing neurotransmitters. Opting for organic foods and steering clear of plastic packaging (including those labeled BPA-free) is a smart move to limit toxin exposure. The sum of all these parts leads to a powerful conclusion: the ultimate key to your health lies in the quality and balance of the food you consume. Supplements are secondary.
Go Forth, Eat Well, Move Your Body, and Include the Right Supplements To Help
Understanding PCOS is the first step towards managing it. By recognizing the symptoms and understanding the causes, you can start to take control of your health journey. While there’s currently no cure for PCOS, adopting certain lifestyle changes and integrating specific supplements into your daily routine can improve your insulin resistance, hormonal balance, and overall health. Supplements, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, can be an effective way to manage PCOS symptoms, balance your hormones, and improve your quality of life.
This Article is Not a Substitute for Medical Advice
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Supplement Sciences does not provide medical care and cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of any product for your personal use. Always consult your physician before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a serious health condition such as cancer, liver disease, or kidney disease. Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Labs
Supplements
Log in
Register
Scan Me!
