Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2016:2016:1849162.
doi: 10.1155/2016/1849162. Epub 2016 Oct 23.

Effects of Inositol(s) in Women with PCOS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Vittorio Unfer  1 , John E Nestler  2 , Zdravko A Kamenov  3 , Nikos Prapas  4 , Fabio Facchinetti  5
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Inositol(s) in Women with PCOS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Vittorio Unfer et al. Int J Endocrinol. 2016.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, with complex etiology and pathophysiology, which remains poorly understood. It affects about 5-10% of women of reproductive age who typically suffer from obesity, hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction, and menstrual irregularity. Indeed, PCOS is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility in industrialized nations, and it is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and increased cardiovascular risk. Although insulin resistance is not included as a criterion for diagnosis, it is a critical pathological condition of PCOS. The purpose of this systematic review is the analysis of recent randomized clinical trials of inositol(s) in PCOS, in particular myo- and D-chiro-inositol, in order to better elucidate their physiological involvement in PCOS and potential therapeutic use, alone and in conjunction with assisted reproductive technologies, in the clinical treatment of women with PCOS.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. The Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Human Reproduction. 2004;19(1):41–47. - PubMed
    1. Ciampelli M., Fulghesu A. M., Cucinelli F., et al. Impact of insulin and body mass index on metabolic and endocrine variables in polycystic ovary syndrome. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental. 1999;48(2):167–172. doi: 10.1016/S0026-0495(99)90028-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Genazzani A. D., Battaglia C., Malavasi B., Strucchi C., Tortolani F., Gamba O. Metformin administration modulates and restores luteinizing hormone spontaneous episodic secretion and ovarian function in nonobese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertility and Sterility. 2004;81(1):114–119. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.05.020. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bigos A., Palkowska E., Rosolowska-Huszca D. Effect of artificial and natural sweeteners on glucose and insulin in plasma of rats. Journal of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Research. 2012;6(2):93–97.
    1. Dunaif A., Segal K. R., Futterweit W., Dobrjansky A. Profound peripheral insulin resistance, independent of obesity, in polycystic ovary syndrome. Diabetes. 1989;38(9):1165–1174. doi: 10.2337/diab.38.9.1165. - DOI - PubMed