Female infertility and more…
we discover polycystic ovary syndrome

Today there is increasing mention of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), so what actually is it?
PCOS is one of the most widespread endocrinal pathologies, affecting 8-10% of women of childbearing age, and is the most frequent cause of absence of menstruation.

PCOS is one of the cause of female infertility, but there’s more.
Gynaecologists provide a diagnosis mostly on the basis of evidence that emerges from an ultrasound and the presence of one or more of the most characterising symptoms:

• Irregular and often anovulatory cycle
• Excessive facial hair growth
• Acne
• Seborrhoea
• Disorders linked to the metabolism

Around 50-60% of women affected by this syndrome are overweight or obese with android distribution of adipose tissue, prevalent at abdominal level.
Such manifestations appear to depend on the presence of insulin resistance and oxidative stress, which characterises the syndrome.
Until a few years ago classic treatment included the administration of the contraceptive pill or metformin, to re-establish an optimal situation for the ovaries and at an insulin level.

However, recently it has become increasingly common for gynaecologists to recommend the regular use of latest-generation supplements that guarantee good effectiveness and above all, the total absence of side effects.
Inositol plays a very important role in this field, a substance with insulin sensitising properties that is essential for the body, which is capable of producing it by itself in addition to any contained in food.

Inositol is present in different isometric forms, including Myo-inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol, which stand out in particular due to their biological role.
The first is widespread in nature as it is present in many plants of everyday use, unlike the second which is rather scarce and produced in the body following a reaction, called epimerisation, which converts Myo-Inositol into D-Chiro-Inositol.
However it has been shown how women with PCOS have an enzymatic defect, as the conversion of Myo-Inositol into D-Chiro-Inositol does not take place or takes place to a lesser extent.

This is why the administration of both is fundamental for providing women with enough of each, due to their precise biological role.
Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of both forms of inositol in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and in particular many disorders associated with it:

• promote correct ovulation and therefore regularise the menstrual cycle
• improve circulating glucose use (glycaemia)
• reduce circulating male hormone levels (therefore reduce excessive hair growth, seborrhoea and acne)
• improve blood pressure circulating triglyceride levels.

Observing the effects and benefits from a broader perspective, what clearly emerges is that the effect of Inositol regularises and optimises different metabolic and endocrinal systems, making it an effective ally for women.
Manganese and Folic Acid is often associated with Inositols, fundamental for women of childbearing age, and recently Vitamin D3 too.

The very latest development consists of the introduction of Resveratrol, in a patented form which guarantees its bioavailability and absorption.

Resveratrol, a molecule discovered in 1992 in red wine but also present in around seventy plant species, has insulin sensitising and anti-radical properties and is one of the most effective substances against oxidative stress, hence its synergistic role with Myo-inositol and D-Chiro Inositol.
In Italy different supplements are available for women with polycystic ovaries and who desire pregnancy; obviously the gynaecologist’s opinion is fundamental in making the most suitable choice.