Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a very common endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5-10% of women of reproductive age. Women with polycystic ovary are at greater risk of fertility problems. This syndrome is characterized by an increase in the secretion of androgens by the ovaries and adrenal glands, presenting symptoms such as hirsutism, acne and/or alopecia, menstrual irregularities, anovulation and infertility. It is diagnosed when the patient has 2 of 3 signs: anovulation, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary shown on ultrasound.

In addition to endocrine disorders, metabolic alterations such as insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, central obesity, increased cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension and atherosclerosis are also observed.

In recent years, the effect of some vitamin supplements that improve fertility, the lipid profile and reduce the level of androgens, such as:

• Inositol belongs to the group of B vitamins and it has been proven through clinical trials that supplementation with inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome improves fertility, reduces androgen levels and improves insulin levels. .
• Supplementation with Omega 3 and vitamin E has been shown to reduce testosterone levels and improve insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Supplementation with Chromium and Zinc has been shown in clinical trials to significantly reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

On the other hand, the study of chinese plants has demonstrated effect in the treatment of endocrine and metabolic alterations of polycystic ovary syndrome such as:

• Cortex Cinnamomi has a regulating effect on the menstrual cycle in women with polycystic ovary, in addition to reducing glucose levels, improving insulin resistance and reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
• Scutellaria Baicalensis decreases testosterone levels in the blood, and normalizes the menstrual cycle. Improves hirsutism and acne.

Scientific studies on vitamins, omega 3, inositol in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.

• 2018. Montanino Oliva M et al. Effects of myo-inositol plus alpha-lactalbumin in myo-inositol-resistant PCOS women. Journal of Ovarian Research. 2018 May 10;11(1):38.
• 2018. Regidor PA, Schindler AE et al. Management of women with PCOS using myo-inositol and folic acid. New clinical data and review of the literature. Biol Clin Investig. 2018 Mar 2;34(2).
• 2018. Jamilian M et al. The influences of vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation on clinical, metabolic and genetic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome,  J Affect Disord. 2018 Oct 1;238:32-38.
• 2017. Ebrahimi F et al. The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E Co-Supplementation on Indices of Insulin Resistance and Hormonal Parameters in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017 Jun;125(6)
• 2015. Jamilian M, Asemi Z. Chromium Supplementation and the Effects on Metabolic Status in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015;67(1):42-8.:353-359

Scientific studies on Chinese plants in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.

• 2019. Yu J, Liu Y ET AL. Baicalin inhibits recruitment of GATA1 to the HSD3B2 promoter and reverses hyperandrogenism of PCOS. The Journal of Endocrinology. 2019 Jan 1. pii: JOE-18-0678.R2.
• 2018. Borzoei A et al. Cinnamon improves metabolic factors without detectable effects on adiponectin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(3):556-563.
• 2014. Kort DH, Lobo RA. Preliminary evidence that cinnamon improves menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 211(5): 487. e481–487. e486.
• 2007. Anderson RA, Graham GM et al. The effect of cinnamon extract on insulin resistance parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study. Fertility and Sterility 88(1): 240–243.