Inositol for PCOS Management

Introduction to Inositol Therapy

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends lifestyle modification as first-line therapy for PCOS, with weight loss of just 5% improving both metabolic and reproductive abnormalities, and suggests myo-inositol as a potential adjunctive treatment for women attempting conception 1, 2

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends metformin for insulin sensitization and clomiphene citrate for ovulation induction as primary pharmacologic treatments for PCOS, with myo-inositol considered for adjunctive therapy 1
For women with PCOS not attempting pregnancy, ACOG recommends starting with lifestyle modification targeting 5-10% weight loss, and considering combined oral contraceptives as first-line pharmacologic treatment 1, 2
For women with PCOS attempting pregnancy, initiation of lifestyle modification plus myo-inositol 4000 mg daily with folic acid is recommended, with addition of clomiphene citrate if ovulation does not occur within 2-3 months 1, 2

There is no clinical evidence supporting inositol use specifically for endometriosis management, as the pathophysiology of endometriosis differs fundamentally from PCOS 3