Add-on myoinositol helps with menstrual period regularity in women with PCOS

In the treatment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adding myoinositol to metformin provides further benefits for improving the regularity of menstrual cycle, with subsequent gains in quality of life, according to a study.

The study included 53 women with PCOS who were overweight or had obesity and were between 18 and 35 years of age. They were randomly assigned to receive metformin monotherapy (n=27) or in combination with myoinositol (n=26) for 6 months.

Outcomes assessed were as follows: duration of menstrual cycle, anthropometric parameters, modified Ferriman Gallwey score, global acne score, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, fasting lipid profile, serum testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and anti-Mullerian hormone.

The participants also completed the PCOS Questionnaire (PCOSQ) and underwent pelvic ultrasound to evaluate ovarian volume. Changes in the parameters from baseline to the end of treatment at 6 months were compared between the two treatment groups.

Both groups showed improvements in menstrual cycle regularity, although the magnitude of improvement was significantly greater in the group of women who received myoinositol-based therapy (p<0.001). Meanwhile, pregnancy rate was similar in the two groups.

PCOSQ score significantly improved in myoinositol-based therapy group (p<0.001). However, other outcomes such as hormonal, metabolic parameters did not differ relative to the metformin monotherapy group, despite symptomatic benefits.