PCOS
Check what applies to you and the best-matched supplements move to the top.
Nothing checked yetDefault order, by strength of evidence.
Bottom line
For PCOS, start with Inositol, Berberine, Vitamin D. The first one to look at is Inositol — 2,000–4,000 mg of myo-inositol a day; Consistency matters more than timing. Take it for at least 3 months.
Supplements ranked for this concern
AWell researchedBSome evidenceCLimited evidence
| # | Supplement | Evidence | When | How much | Caution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | InositolMatches your checks Supports insulin and ovarian signaling, which may help with ovulation and more regular cycles. It's the most studied supplement for PCOS. |
A | Consistency matters more than timing. Take it for at least 3 months. | 2,000–4,000 mg of myo-inositol a day | If you get gas or diarrhea, lower the dose. If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor. | Details |
| 2 | BerberineMatches your checks Works to improve insulin resistance and blood sugar. It's the second choice to add to inositol when blood sugar is hard to control. |
B | After meals, split into 2–3 doses | 500–1,500 mg a day (start with one 500 mg capsule) | Stomach and gut upset is common, and it interacts with many medicines. If you take any medication, check first. | Compare products |
| 3 | Vitamin DMatches your checks Low blood vitamin D may raise androgens (male hormones) and worsen symptoms, so it's a basic to keep topped up. |
B | Right after breakfast or lunch | Start at 4,000 IU for 3–6 months → maintain at 1,000–2,000 IU | Keep your total, including multivitamins, at 4,000 IU a day or less. | Compare products |
| 4 | Omega-3Matches your checks May help lower inflammation and insulin resistance, which can ease hormone imbalance. |
B | Right after a meal | 1–2 capsules a day of a 1,000 mg EPA+DHA product | If you take a blood thinner, talk to your doctor first. | Compare products |
| 5 | FolateMatches your checks Supports hormone metabolism (methylation). Many products combine it with inositol. |
C | With inositol. If you're trying to conceive, start 1–3 months before pregnancy. | 400–1,000 mcg a day (the active form, 5-MTHF, if possible) | Don't go over 1,000 mcg, counting the folic acid in your multivitamin. | Compare products |
| 6 | NAC (N-acetylcysteine)Matches your checks Clinical data in PCOS show improvements in insulin resistance similar to the diabetes drug metformin. |
B | Fine on an empty stomach. If it bothers your stomach, take it after a meal. | 600 mg a day, twice a day if needed | It may cause stomach upset such as nausea. | Compare products |
| 7 | MagnesiumMatches your checks A mineral insulin needs to work properly, so it's a helpful add-on for managing insulin resistance. |
B | After a meal | 200–400 mg a day (as elemental magnesium) | If you have kidney disease, talk to your doctor first. | Compare products |
| 8 | Indole-3-carbinol (I3C)Matches your checks Helps the liver process estrogen through a healthier pathway. There are reports of fewer androgen-related symptoms. |
C | Daily, consistently | As directed on the product label (DIM form for stronger symptoms) | If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or on hormone therapy, talk to your doctor first. | Details |
Medications to watch out for
If you take any medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Diabetes drugs and insulinBerberine · InositolBlood sugar may drop too low. Tell your doctor before you start.
Immunosuppressants, digoxin (Lanoxin) and seizure medicinesBerberineMay change drug levels in your blood. Skip it or talk to your doctor.
Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)Omega-3 · BerberineMay increase bruising and bleeding. Talk to your doctor.
Anticonvulsants (epilepsy medicine)FolateYour folate needs may change. Set the dose with your doctor.
Birth control pills and hormone therapyIndole-3-carbinolIt acts on hormone metabolism, so talk to your doctor first.
Before supplements: daily habits
- 01Cutting back on sugary drinks and refined carbs like white bread can help you manage insulin resistance.
- 02Regular strength training helps your body use blood sugar better.
- 03Give any supplement at least 3 months before you judge whether it's working.
- 04If you've gone more than 3 months without a period, or you're trying to get pregnant, see an OB-GYN along with any supplements.
Product comparison
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berberine HCl 500 mg (60 Capsules)Best value Double Wood Supplements |
Regular (berberine HCl) | 500 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| Berberine 500 mg (100 VegCaps) Solaray |
Regular (berberine HCl) | 500 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Premium Berberine+ Plus 1200 mg (120 Caps) Nutrivein |
Regular (berberine HCl) + a little cinnamon | 1200 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Berberine HCl 1200mg with Ceylon Cinnamon (120 Capsules) NutriFlair |
Regular (berberine HCl) + a little cinnamon | 1200 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Berberine HCl 1,200 mg (60 Capsules) Nutricost |
Regular (berberine HCl) | 1200 mg | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Berberine Glucose Support with MCT Oil (90 Softgels) NOW Foods |
Regular (berberine HCl), MCT oil softgel | 400 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
| Berberine (Berbevis Phytosome + HCl, 60 Capsules) Thorne |
Blend (regular HCl + Berbevis phytosome) | Berberine HCl 450 mg + Berbevis phytosome 550 mg per serving (2 capsules) | 60 | High | Amazon → |
Compare all Berberine products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 1000 IU SoftgelsBest value Nature's Bounty |
D3 in soybean oil softgels | 1,000 IU per serving | 350 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 5000 IU Softgels Viva Naturals |
D3 in coconut oil softgels | 5,000 IU per serving | 360 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D-3 1,000 IU Softgels NOW Foods |
D3 in olive oil softgels | 1,000 IU per serving | 360 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 1000 IU Softgels Nature Made |
D3 in soybean oil softgels | 1,000 IU per serving | 300 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D-3 2,000 IU Softgels NOW Foods |
D3 in olive oil softgels | 2,000 IU per serving | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 2000 IU Softgels Nature's Bounty |
D3 in soybean oil softgels | 2,000 IU per serving | 350 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 5000 IU Softgels Doctor's Best |
D3 in olive oil softgels | 5,000 IU per serving | 360 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 2000 IU Mini Softgels NatureWise |
D3 in olive oil mini softgels | 2,000 IU per serving | 360 | Low | Amazon → |
Compare all Vitamin D products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burp Less Ultra Omega-3 from Fish Oil 1400 mgBest value Nature Made |
EE (ethyl ester), enteric-coated | 935 mg | 90 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 950 mg Solgar |
EE (ethyl ester) | 882 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 2400 mg, Lemon Nature's Branch |
Form not listed, lemon flavor | 1440 mg | 180 | Low | Amazon → |
| Extra-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000 mg + Vitamin E, Lemon NatureWise |
EE (ethyl ester), lemon flavor | 1000 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 1250 mg (Wild Alaska Pollock) Sports Research |
rTG (re-esterified triglyceride) | 950 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 2000 mg Dr. Tobias |
Form not listed, enteric-coated | 1400 mg | 180 | Average | Amazon → |
| Burp Less Omega-3 Fish Oil 1400 mg Minis Nature Made |
EE (ethyl ester), mini softgels | 930 mg | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 3000 mg, Lemon BioSchwartz |
Form not listed, lemon flavor | 2100 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Omega-3 products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folic Acid 400 mcg (665 mcg DFE)Best value Nature Made |
Folic acid, tablets | 1 tablet: folic acid 400 mcg (665 mcg DFE) | 250 | Low | Amazon → |
| Folic Acid 400 mcg 21st Century |
Folic acid, tablets | 1 tablet: folic acid 400 mcg (667 mcg DFE) | 250 | Low | Amazon → |
| Folic Acid 800 mcg with Vitamin B-12 25 mcg NOW Foods |
Folic acid + cyanocobalamin, tablets | 1 tablet: folic acid 800 mcg (1,360 mcg DFE) + B12 25 mcg | 250 | Low | Amazon → |
| Folic Acid 800 mcg Nature's Bounty |
Folic acid, tablets | 1 tablet: folic acid 800 mcg (1,333 mcg DFE) | 250 | Low | Amazon → |
| BioActive Folate & Vitamin B12 Life Extension |
Active L-methylfolate + methylcobalamin, capsules | 1 capsule: active folate 400 mcg (680 mcg DFE) + B12 300 mcg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
| Optimized Folate (L-Methylfolate) 1,700 mcg DFE Life Extension |
Active L-methylfolate calcium salt, tablets | 1 tablet: active folate 1,000 mcg (1,700 mcg DFE) | 100 | Average | Amazon → |
| Methyl Folate 1,000 mcg NOW Foods |
Active 5-MTHF (Quatrefolic), tablets | 1 tablet: active folate 1,000 mcg (1,700 mcg DFE) | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
| Methyl B-12 1000 mcg & Methyl Folate 400 mcg plus P-5-P (Lemon, Chewable) Jarrow Formulas |
Active 5-MTHF + methyl B12 + P5P, chewable tablets | 1 tablet: active folate 400 mcg (680 mcg DFE) + B12 1,000 mcg + B6 (P5P) 1.5 mg | 100 | Average | Amazon → |
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAC 600 mg (120 Capsules)Best value Best Naturals |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) 600 mg (180 Capsules) Nutricost |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 180 | Low | Amazon → |
| NAC 1,000 mg (120 Tablets) NOW |
N-acetylcysteine only (tablet) | 1000 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 600 mg (60 Vegetarian Capsules) Life Extension |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| NAC N-Acetyl Cysteine 600 mg (100 Capsules, 3 Pack) Swanson |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 300 | Low | Amazon → |
| NAC 600 mg with Selenium & Molybdenum (100 Veg Capsules) NOW |
N-acetylcysteine + a little selenium | 600 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| NAC 600 mg (60 Capsules) Integrative Therapeutics |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| NAC N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 500 mg (90 Capsules) Natural Factors |
N-acetylcysteine only | 500 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all NAC (N-acetylcysteine) products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Citrate 200 mg TabletsBest value NOW Foods |
Citrate | 400 mg | 250 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder (Albion)Best value NOW Foods |
Bisglycinate powder (Albion) | 250 mg | 91 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Citrate Pure PowderBest value NOW Foods |
Citrate powder | 435 mg | 76 | Low | Amazon → |
| Natural CALM Magnesium Powder (Raspberry Lemon)Best value Natural Vitality |
Citrate (magnesium carbonate + citric acid, forms when mixed with water) | 325 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium (Citrate) 100 mg Life Extension |
Citrate | 200 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| High Absorption Magnesium (Glycinate Lysinate Chelate) Doctor's Best |
Glycinate/lysinate chelate (Albion) | 200 mg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Citrate Veg Capsules NOW Foods |
Citrate | 400 mg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Glycinate 100 mg (Albion) NOW Foods |
Bisglycinate chelate (Albion) | 200 mg | 180 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Magnesium products →
Cost per day is relative — compared with other products of the same supplement. Check Amazon for the current price. Some links are affiliate links.