Inositols and alpha-lactalbumin supplementation for treating menstrual irregularity in PCOS

An observational study aimed to assess the impact of a combination of drugs on women experiencing menstrual irregularities due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

This study involved 126 PCOS patients treated at Mahavir Hospital and Manish IVF Center in Gujarat. The participants were either of normal weight or overweight – aged between 18 and 30 years, with menstrual irregularities and anovulation lasting more than 12 months. All women were given orally administered a combination oral drug (containing myo-inositol 1100mg, D-chiro-inositol 27.6mg, alpha-lactalbumin 50mg, chromium picolinate 400mcg, and vitamin D2 400IU) twice daily for six months. The primary outcome was assessed based on parameters such as changes in body mass index (BMI), alterations in ovarian volume, and modifications in the menstrual cycle frequency and duration (M-SCORE). Alpha-lactalbumin was included for its effectiveness in enhancing myo-inositol intestinal absorption, which is particularly beneficial in reducing therapeutic failure in inositol-resistant subjects.

All women exhibited overall recovery, with more significant improvements noted when the baseline values were farther from the normal range. The combination drug conferred notable results in rectifying menstrual irregularities, reducing ovarian volume, and influencing BMI. No significant adverse effects were observed in this patient group, indicating good tolerability and compliance with the combination drug.

The findings indicated that this combination drug positively influences critical parameters in PCOS patients characterized by diverse metabolic profiles. This supplementation strategy emerges as a viable treatment option for addressing menstrual irregularities, ovarian volume, and body weight in PCOS patients. Most participants experienced improvements and regularizations in menstrual cycle patterns, including frequency and duration, after a six-month treatment. 

There was a mild decrease in BMI for several patients. Although a subnormal reduction in ovarian volume was observed, combining myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol, and alpha-lactalbumin appears promising in overcoming inositol resistance, potentially enhancing treatment response and providing additional benefits in PCOS. Larger clinical and real-world studies could further contribute valuable insights to the field of PCOS therapy.

Source: Pandya MR, Pandya NM, Narayanan V, Adroja KS, Patel VC. Indian J Obstet Gynecol Res 2023;10(4):488-493