L-Methionine for PCOS: Does It Help?

observational-study PMID: 37356455

Quick Summary: A recent study found that a mix of antioxidants, including L-Methionine, helped women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) improve their insulin resistance and other symptoms. This study suggests it could be a helpful option, especially if you can't or don't want to take birth control pills.

What The Research Found

The study looked at women with PCOS and found that an antioxidant combination, including L-Methionine, helped improve several things:

Insulin Resistance: The group taking the antioxidant mix saw a decrease in insulin resistance.

Hormone Levels: Levels of a hormone called androstenedione, which can cause symptoms like acne and hair growth, went down in all groups.

PCOS Symptoms: Symptoms like acne, unwanted hair growth (hirsutism), irregular periods, and overall quality of life improved in all groups.

Study Details

Who was studied: 96 women with PCOS who did not have diabetes.

How long: The study lasted for 6 months.

What they took:

Group 1 (MN): A mix of antioxidants, including:
- Lipoic acid (500 mg)
- L-Methionine (800 mg)
- Inositol (200 mg)
- Bromelain (100 mg)
Group 2 (OC): Birth control pills.
Group 3 (MN+OC): Both the antioxidant mix and birth control pills.
All groups also received advice on healthy eating and exercise.

What This Means For You

If you have PCOS, this study suggests that an antioxidant combination with L-Methionine might help manage your symptoms. It could be a good option if you can't or prefer not to take birth control pills. However, it's important to remember:

It's a combination: The study used a mix of antioxidants, not just L-Methionine.

Talk to your doctor: Always discuss any new supplements with your doctor before starting them. They can help you decide if it's right for you and how it might interact with any other medications you're taking.

Study Limitations

Not a perfect study: The study wasn't designed to prove that the antioxidants caused the improvements.

Short-term: The study only lasted 6 months, so we don't know the long-term effects.

Combination is key: We don't know if L-Methionine alone would have the same effect.

More research needed: More studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand the best way to use these antioxidants for PCOS.

Key Findings

The study found that a 6-month antioxidant regimen (including L-Methionine) reduced insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in women with PCOS, with a mean decrease of -0.92 points in the MN group. All groups (MN, OC, MN+OC) showed significant reductions in androstenedione levels and improvements in hirsutism, acne, menstrual regularity, and quality of life, though no statistically significant differences existed between groups. This suggests the antioxidant combination may serve as an alternative to oral contraceptives (OCs) for managing PCOS symptoms when OCs are contraindicated.

Study Design

This was a prospective, partially randomized, multicenter observational study involving 96 non-diabetic women with PCOS. Participants were assigned to one of three groups: antioxidant combination (MN), OC therapy, or MN+OC. All groups received lifestyle counseling (diet/exercise). Outcomes were measured at baseline and 6 months. Observational design limits causal inference, and partial randomization may introduce selection bias.

Dosage & Administration

The MN group received daily supplementation of:
- Lipoic acid: 500 mg
- L-Methionine: 800 mg
- Inositol: 200 mg
- Bromelain: 100 mg
The OC group received ethinylestradiol (30 µg) + drospirenone (3 mg). The MN+OC group received both regimens. Supplements were administered orally under routine clinical conditions.

Results & Efficacy

HOMA-IR: Only the MN group showed significant improvement (-0.92 mean change, p<0.05), indicating reduced insulin resistance.
Androstenedione: Decreased significantly in all groups (p<0.05), suggesting both antioxidant and OC therapies lower androgen levels.
Clinical parameters: Hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularity, and quality of life improved in all groups (p<0.05), but intergroup differences were not statistically significant.
Safety: No adverse events reported for the antioxidant combination.

Limitations

Observational design: Lacks a placebo/control group, limiting ability to attribute effects solely to the interventions.
Short duration: 6 months may be insufficient to assess long-term efficacy or safety.
Combination therapy confounding: Effects cannot be isolated to L-Methionine alone, as other antioxidants (e.g., lipoic acid) were co-administered.
Subjective measures: Clinical outcomes like acne and hirsutism relied on self-reporting or non-standardized assessments.
No baseline comparability data: Demographics (e.g., BMI, age) and baseline parameter distributions across groups were not detailed.

Clinical Relevance

For PCOS patients unable or unwilling to use OCs, this antioxidant combination (including L-Methionine) may offer metabolic benefits, particularly insulin resistance reduction. However, since OCs and antioxidants showed similar improvements in androgen levels and clinical symptoms, the combination might serve as an adjunct rather than a standalone therapy. Users should note that this study evaluated a multi-ingredient formula, not L-Methionine alone, and results may not generalize to isolated supplementation. Further research is needed to determine optimal dosing, long-term outcomes, and the individual contribution of L-Methionine to the observed effects.

Takeaway: L-Methionine, as part of an antioxidant blend, may support PCOS management but should not replace evidence-based therapies like OCs without more targeted research.