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6 Best Prenatal Vitamins for PCOS, According to Science
Learn the best prenatal vitamins specifically for PCOS.
Prenatal vitamins for PCOS can boost fertility and promote a healthy pregnancy.
Prenatal supplementation is recommended for all pregnant women, but women with polycystic ovary syndrome have different needs.
So, even though several prenatal supplements exist, you'll need the right balance of ingredients specifically formulated for PCOS. For instance, you'll want to look out for ingredients that help to regulate insulin levels.
It is important to consult your doctor before taking any prenatal vitamins or supplements. They will be able to advise you on what type and dosage of supplement is best for your individual needs.
They may also recommend lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and reducing stress levels. Supplementation isn't a stand-in for a good diet but prenatal vitamins can plug any dietary gaps during your pregnancy.
All these things can help to support your and your baby's overall health.
Are prenatal vitamins good for PCOS?
Prenatal vitamins for PCOS have beneficial effects on fertility and pregnancy. The right combination of vitamins protects the baby from birth defects and can also help to regulate hormone levels. Typically, they'll also help your glucose tolerance and blood pressure.
Prenatal vitamins can address hormonal imbalances, improving insulin resistance and testosterone levels. Balancing hormones is key for getting pregnant in the first place - too much testosterone can interfere with ovulation. Moreover, insulin resistance is associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications.
One study, published in the International Journal of Reproduction journal, investigated the benefits of prenatal supplementation. For this study, women with PCOS were divided into two groups: one receiving prenatal vitamins and the other receiving a placebo. The prenatal vitamin group reported higher pregnancy rates, live births, and menstrual regularity.
Other studies show a link between certain prenatal supplements and increased pregnancy rates and improved egg quality. We'll get into more of this detail later in this post.
Prenatal vitamins contain essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, and Vitamin D, which are important for the healthy development of a baby. Finally, prenatal vitamins are beneficial for helping to protect the mother's health during pregnancy. They can help to reduce the risk of pre-term labor, anemia, and other complications.
What are the best prenatal vitamins for PCOS?
The key ingredients for a prenatal vitamin for PCOS should include folic acid, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, inositol, and Vitamin D. Folic acid is important for neural tube development in the baby and iron helps to prevent anemia. Omega-3 fatty acids support brain health and Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption. Additionally, some supplements also include zinc and chromium which can help to balance hormones.
When choosing a prenatal vitamin, look for one that’s third-party tested, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Additionally, they advise checking the following minimum levels of ingredients:
- 600 mcg folate
- 150 mcg iodine
- 600 IU (or 15 mcg) vitamin D
- 220 to 300 mg DHA
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said TheraNatal One Prenatal is a third-party tested multivitamin that contains all of the necessary nutrients.
Here's a prenatal supplement chart from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. While this isn't PCOS-specific, it provides an overview of the most important prenatal vitamins and their benefits.
As Sheri Gordon notes in this Very Well Family article, consult your doctor to find the right prenatal vitamin.
“It is important to read the labels and talk to your healthcare provider to determine how much you need of each vitamin and mineral. And keep in mind that every prenatal vitamin will have different amounts of ingredients, with some being more comprehensive than others.”
Expert advice will help you identify the best prenatal vitamin for you. For example, while a multivitamin like Geritol has been tied with improving fertility, it hasn’t been formulated for pregnant or nursing mothers.
Apart from taking prenatal vitamins, following a balanced diet and engaging in physical activity is also crucial for a healthy pregnancy.
During my pregnancy, I took a prenatal multivitamin specifically formulated for PCOS. In addition, I exercised regularly. I walked every day and attended a weekly yoga class.
6 best prenatal vitamins for PCOS
Here are six nutrients that are commonly recommended to PCOS patients:
- Inositol
- Folate and folic acid
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Omega fatty acids
- Calcium
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1. Inositol
One of the most important prenatal vitamins for PCOS, inositol is a sugar made by our bodies. It can regulate insulin levels and blood sugar. Inositol comes in different forms including myo-inositol (MYO) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI).
Research suggests between 30% to 40% of PCOS patients have insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism. One literature review, published in the Reproductive Health journal, finds:
“Myo-inositol increases insulin sensitivity, decreases hyperandrogenism and improves the menstrual cycles.”
These benefits mean inositol is one of the most effective PCOS fertility supplements. As mentioned earlier, high insulin levels can cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone, which can stall ovulation.
The same study also showed that supplementing with myo-inositol may be beneficial for women with PCOS who were using assisted reproductive technologies, like IVF. But researchers called for more studies. Further research suggests inositol increased egg quality among women with PCOS who were using IVF.
Another study found a combination of myo-inositol and folic acid reduced testosterone levels and improved progesterone levels among PCOS patients:
"Myo-inositol has proven to be a new treatment option for patients with PCOS and infertility. The achieved pregnancy rates are at least in an equivalent or even superior range than those reported using metformin as an insulin sensitizer. No moderate to severe side effects were observed when myo-inositol was used at a dosage of 4000 mg per day."
One review of myo-inositol published in the 2019 Cureus journal suggests it can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes among pregnant women. However, other research called for additional evidence to support this claim.
Taking hormone-balancing supplements like myo-inositol helped to regulate my period for the first time in my life. Apart from supplementing with myo-inositol, I was following an insulin resistance diet and exercising regularly. I also attended therapy and devoted time to hobbies to cope with stress.
When I fell pregnant, I used a prenatal multivitamin that included myo-inositol.
You can buy a third-party tested prenatal multivitamin that contains inositol on Amazon.
2. Folic acid and folate
Folate and folic acid are among the most well-known PCOS prenatal vitamins. Several studies show these nutrients can help to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, which are birth defects that affect the brain and spine. Folate and folic acid are found in many prenatal vitamins.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, both folic acid and folate are forms of vitamin B9 but they are not one and the same:
“Folic acid is the synthesized version that is commonly used in processed foods and supplements. Folate can be found in whole foods such as leafy vegetables, eggs, and citrus fruits.”
As Tod Cooperman, M.D. of ConsumerLab.com, explains, pregnant women should eat a diet rich in green leafy vegetables to up their folate intake. Then, they should supplement to meet the minimum requirement.
Folic acid supplementation also reduced the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester for women with PCOS, according to a study published in the MOJ Women's Health journal.
Finally, research shows folate supplements for women with PCOS can improve metabolic health and inflammation. Enhancing your metabolic health may boost your odds of falling pregnant.
You can buy a third-party tested prenatal supplement containing folate on Amazon.
3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps to maintain healthy hormone levels and can prevent some pregnancy complications.
One analysis of the available research found a connection between a vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth. Researchers also observed a link between a lack of vitamin D and obesity and insulin resistance.
In one study of 305 PCOS patients, researchers investigated the effect of vitamin D on IVF among women with insulin resistance. The authors of the paper concluded:
“Our data indicate that vitamin D supplementation can help return serum vitamin D levels in infertile women with PCOS and IR to normal levels leading to an improvement in the quality of embryos and a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate.”
You can learn more about the benefits of vitamin D for PCOS here.
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another prenatal vitamin for PCOS.
Vitamin C can regulate menstrual cycles and improve ovarian function, according to research published in the 2020 Nutrients journal.
An animal study found vitamin C, which is an antioxidant, could reduce the effects of aging on the ovary. There's also evidence to show it can help improve male fertility.
5. Omega fatty acids
Supplementing with omega fatty acids may regulate your hormones. Omega fatty acids have been associated with better ovarian function and insulin levels, making it a great PCOS fertility supplement.
One study found omega-3 fatty acid can increase adiponectin, a hormone that has anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising effects. It may also reduce total cholesterol and triglyceride, a type of fat.
Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglyceride can lead to heart diseases, and one study found women with polycystic ovary syndrome are at a higher risk of heart illnesses during pregnancy.
Omega 3 supplementation may also decrease the interval between periods, suggests this study. Additional research has shown that omega-3 can improve insulin sensitivity.
You can buy the American Pregnancy Association’s official omega-3 supplement on Amazon.
6. Calcium
Calcium is important for the mother and the baby. It helps to lower the risk of pregnancy complications. Plus, this nutrient will strengthen your baby’s growing bones and teeth during pregnancy.
One review of the research looked at the results of 27 studies involving 18,064 women. Researchers found calcium supplementation reduced pre‐eclampsia and preterm birth.
It's time to choose the best PCOS prenatal vitamin
Taking prenatal vitamins for PCOS can improve fertility, regulate blood sugar levels, and increase insulin sensitivity.
Many prenatal multivitamins contain essential nutrients required to fix hormonal imbalances and prevent birth defects.
As we've seen, prenatal vitamins are tied with several benefits for you and your baby. In this post, we've covered PCOS patients achieving better fertility treatment results with some nutrients. Plus, we listed the prenatal vitamins that can fix abnormal cholesterol levels.
Overall, prenatal vitamins for polycystic ovary syndrome can be beneficial for supporting a healthy pregnancy but it is important to speak to your doctor first before taking them.
Featured image credit: Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash
