Inositol - What is it? And Why Are Your Hormones Obsessed With It?

Read time: 2 minutes 

If you’ve spent any time spiraling down the #HormoneHealth rabbit hole, chances are you’ve seen the word inositol pop up - usually with the PCOS girlies swearing it changed their life. But WTF is this stuff, really? And why does it have your hormones acting like they’ve found their new BFF? Here Alison Hall, OVA’s Director of Nutrition, breaks it down for us.

First up: what is inositol?

Sometimes called vitamin B8 (although, it’s technically not a vitamin), myo-inositol is a type of sugar that your body actually makes on its own. It plays a crucial role in how your cells talk to each other, how your body manages blood sugar, and how your hormones keep their drama in check.

You’ll also find it naturally hanging out in wholegrains, nuts, and legumes, but if you have PCOS or blood sugar issues, you might not be getting enough of it from diet alone.

Why is everyone with PCOS suddenly raving about it?

Here’s the deal: the beauty of myo-inositol is that it tackles PCOS from multiple angles. The one key support says Hall?  “It helps improve insulin sensitivity and regulates blood glucose which is essential if you’re dealing with insulin resistance or the fun, never-ending struggle of weight management.”

And the hormonal hallmarks of PCOS?  High androgens (think excess testosterone) that cause acne and unwanted hair, or those unpredictable AF cycles? Yep. Research shows myo-inositol can help here too.

So… what’s it actually doing in your ovaries?

“Inside the ovaries, myo-inositol is basically working overtime. It helps balance testosterone levels, supports healthy follicle development, and can improve overall ovarian function,” explains Hall.  Translation? More regular cycles and a better shot at improved fertility outcomes.

Studies have even found that follicles with higher levels of myo-inositol are linked with good quality eggs, while women with PCOS tend to have lower levels of it. That’s why supplementing can be such a game-changer.

Oh, and it’s anti-inflammatory too.

Like PCOS didn’t have enough going on,  there’s also the chronic, low-grade inflammation that comes with it.  Luckily, myo-inositol has anti-inflammatory properties that help calm that constant background buzz of inflammation. This domino effect means better insulin sensitivity, happier hormones, healthier eggs, and a less inflamed body overall.

The takeaway?

If your hormones had a hype list, myo-inositol would be sitting pretty at the top. It’s one of those rare unicorns that hits multiple hormonal pain points at once.  So if you’ve ever asked yourself, WTF is inositol - and should I care? The answer is: yes, your ovaries will thank you for it.

Find Myo-Inositol in OVAPlus Advanced Hormonal Support