The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of myo-
inositol treatment in hirsute women; changes in
lipid pattern and
insulin sensitivity were also considered. Forty-six hirsute women were enrolled at the first Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology and evaluated at baseline and after receiving myo-
inositol therapy for 6 months. Body mass index (BMI),
hirsutism, serum concentrations of total
cholesterol,
high-density lipoprotein (
HDL) cholesterol,
low-density lipoprotein (
LDL) cholesterol,
triglycerides,
apolipoprotein B,
lipoprotein(a), serum adrenal and ovarian
androgens, fasting
glucose and
insulin concentrations were evaluated. No changes in BMI were observed. The
hirsutism decreased after
therapy (P < 0.001). Total
androgens, FSH and LH concentrations decreased while
oestradiol concentrations increased. There was a slight non-significant decrease in total
cholesterol concentrations, an increase in
HDL cholesterol concentrations and a decrease in
LDL cholesterol concentrations. No significant changes were observed in serum
triglyceride,
apolipoprotein B and
lipoprotein(a) concentrations.
Insulin resistance (P < 0.01), analysed by homeostasis model assessment, was reduced significantly after
therapy. Administration of oral myo-
inositol significantly reduced
hirsutism and
hyperandrogenism and ameliorated the abnormal metabolic profile of women with
hirsutism.