Comparing the effectiveness of herbal remedies and lifestyle modification on minimizing polycystic ovarian syndrome symptoms

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common, complex reproductive problem that affects women in reproductive age. It is characterized by menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries. Lifestyle modification is a first-line intervention. Women often seek adjunct therapies including herbal remedies. So, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of lifestyle modification plus herbal remedies, with lifestyle modification alone on minimizing PCOS symptoms and weight loss. One hundred twenty women with PCOS were recruited for the study (60 each group) from outpatient gynecological clinic at Al Kasr Alani hospital, workplaces, and colleges, Cairo, Egypt, utilizing quasi-experimental design. After 6 months interventions, women in the herbal group reported a reduction in oligomenorrhoea (30%) compared to (48.3%) in lifestyle alone group (p < 0.04) and regulation of menstruation (61.7%) compared to (41.7%) (p<0.02). Other significant improvements were found for body mass index (p< 0.01); waist circumference (p < 0.002); W/H circumference (p < 0.015); acne score (p <0.003); and Hirsutism score (p <0.01). This study provides evidence of effectiveness and safety of the combined herbal remedies and lifestyle modification on overweight and obese women with PCOS.