Researchers looked at 46 different studies involving over 30,000 women with PCOS (a common hormone condition) to see if supplements could help. They found that certain supplements like myo-inositol, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids showed promise in improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and balancing cholesterol levels. While these results are encouraging, the researchers emphasize that supplements work best alongside other treatments and that more research is needed to figure out the best doses and which supplements work best for different women.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether dietary supplements can help treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting the ovaries and hormones in women
  • Who participated: 46 different research studies involving 30,133 women of reproductive age who have been diagnosed with PCOS
  • Key finding: Three supplements showed the strongest benefits: myo-inositol improved how the body uses insulin, probiotics reduced inflammation markers, and omega-3 fatty acids improved cholesterol levels
  • What it means for you: If you have PCOS, certain supplements may help manage symptoms, but they should be used alongside doctor-recommended treatments, not instead of them. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement.

The Research Details

This research is called an ‘umbrella meta-analysis,’ which means researchers gathered information from 46 different high-quality studies and combined the results to see the bigger picture. Each of the 46 studies tested different supplements on women with PCOS and measured how well they worked. By combining all this information, the researchers could see which supplements had the strongest evidence behind them.

The researchers looked at how supplements affected specific body processes that go wrong in PCOS, like how the body handles insulin (blood sugar control), inflammation levels, and cholesterol. They examined studies that tested myo-inositol, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin (from turmeric), and green tea extract.

This approach is powerful because it combines data from thousands of women across many studies, making the results more reliable than any single study alone.

PCOS affects 5-15% of women of childbearing age and causes problems with insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormone imbalance. Finding safe, natural ways to help manage these problems is important because it could reduce the need for medications or help medications work better. This research helps doctors and patients understand which supplements have real scientific evidence behind them.

This analysis is strong because it combined 46 randomized controlled trials (the gold standard type of study) with over 30,000 participants total. The researchers were transparent about their methods and registered their plan ahead of time. However, the studies they reviewed had some differences in how they gave supplements, what doses they used, and which women they studied, which can affect how much we can trust the overall results.

What the Results Show

Myo-inositol emerged as the most effective supplement, significantly improving how well the body responds to insulin. This is important because insulin resistance is a major problem in PCOS. The improvement was large enough that doctors would consider it clinically meaningful.

Probiotics showed strong evidence for reducing inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a key problem in PCOS, so reducing it could help with many PCOS symptoms. The effect size was substantial, suggesting real benefits for women taking them.

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) improved cholesterol levels by lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising the good cholesterol (HDL). This is important because women with PCOS often have unhealthy cholesterol patterns that increase heart disease risk.

Curcumin (from turmeric) and green tea extract also showed benefits, particularly in lowering blood sugar and reducing body fat, though the evidence was somewhat less consistent than for the other three supplements.

The research found that these supplements work through different body mechanisms: myo-inositol helps cells take in glucose better, probiotics change the bacteria in the gut in helpful ways, and omega-3s reduce inflammation throughout the body. Plant-based compounds like curcumin work by blocking inflammatory pathways. These different mechanisms suggest that combining supplements might be more effective than using just one, though more research is needed to confirm this.

This research builds on earlier studies that suggested supplements might help PCOS. What’s new here is the large amount of evidence combined together, which shows that these benefits are consistent across many different studies and many different women. Previous research hinted at these benefits, but this analysis provides stronger proof that they’re real.

The studies reviewed used different doses of supplements, different forms, and different quality products, which makes it harder to know exactly what dose works best. Some studies were better quality than others. The women in the studies had different types of PCOS and different severity levels, so what works for one woman might not work the same way for another. Most studies were relatively short-term, so we don’t know if benefits continue over years. More research is needed on how these supplements work together and which women benefit most.

The Bottom Line

If you have PCOS, myo-inositol, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids have moderate to strong evidence supporting their use as add-on treatments (meaning alongside other treatments your doctor recommends, not replacing them). Curcumin and green tea extract have weaker but still promising evidence. Start with one supplement at a time so you can see what helps. Work with your doctor to choose appropriate doses and monitor whether they’re helping.

Women with PCOS who want to try natural approaches to manage their condition should pay attention to this research. This is especially relevant for women who have insulin resistance, high inflammation markers, or unhealthy cholesterol levels. However, these supplements should complement medical treatment, not replace it. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking blood thinners should talk to their doctor before starting supplements.

Most studies showed benefits within 8-12 weeks, though some took longer. Don’t expect overnight results—give a supplement at least 2-3 months before deciding if it’s working for you. Some benefits like improved insulin sensitivity might take longer to notice than others.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily supplement intake (which supplement, dose, time taken) and rate PCOS symptoms weekly on a scale of 1-10, including energy levels, period regularity, and skin clarity. Also track any side effects.
  • Set a daily reminder to take your chosen supplement at the same time each day (like with breakfast). Use the app to log when you take it so you don’t miss doses. Create a simple checklist: myo-inositol, probiotics, omega-3s—check off each day.
  • Every 4 weeks, review your symptom ratings to see if they’re improving. Take photos of skin if acne is a concern. If possible, get blood work done at 8-12 weeks to check insulin levels and cholesterol. Share this tracking data with your doctor to help decide if the supplement is working.

This research suggests that certain supplements may help manage PCOS symptoms, but supplements are not a replacement for medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re taking medications, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have other health conditions. The quality and strength of supplements vary by brand, so choose reputable manufacturers. Results vary between individuals, and what helps one person may not help another. This information is educational and should not be considered medical advice.