Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome or Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a complex condition caused by a mix of genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle-related factors. In this disorder, women experience symptoms like irregular and/or painful periods and excessive body hair due to the overproduction of the male hormone, which is normally present in small amounts in females1. This disorder affects around 5-10% of women of childbearing age in the world. Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and heart diseases2. Lifestyle modifications like diet, exercise and medicines help control the symptoms3, but there is no cure for this disorder.
What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is not yet known, however, it is known that it is associated with insulin resistance (the body is either unable to generate insulin or is not able to utilise it). The other factors which are known are also in some way related to insulin resistance. The various factors for the development of PCOS include:
Male hormones: The increased production of androgens (male hormones) plays an important role in PCOS, as they are responsible for the occurrence of symptoms like increased facial hair, acne, female pattern hair loss, and irregular menstrual cycles1,2.
Increased body weight: The relationship between body weight and PCOS is not yet understood quite well. Whether it is the cause or effect of PCOS, is not yet known. However, there is a clear connection between the two, and it has been shown that achieving a healthy weight offers significant benefits1.
Family history: Women with mothers or sisters with PCOS or type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop PCOS1.
Insulin resistance: All of these factors are linked to insulin resistance1. However, the exact mechanism behind PCOS is still unknown.
Symptoms of PCOS
PCOS should be diagnosed by a doctor. However, there are certain symptoms you can watch out for, such as:
The following herbal remedies, taken under the supervision of a doctor, may be useful in managing the symptoms of PCOS:
1. Mulethi
Mulethi is also known as liquorice. It may be beneficial for managing PCOS as it acts against androgens and can also help reduce estrogen (female hormone) and testosterone (male hormone) levels5. You can take a cup of hot water, mix mulethi root powder in it and drink it. This brew can be taken for two months. For a prolonged effect, you can take it for even longer.
2. Flaxseeds
It was found in studies6 that flaxseeds contain a compound called lignan, which may help in decreasing the level of androgens in the body. They caused a reduction of symptoms of PCOS that occur due to increased androgen levels, like abnormal growth of body hair. They were also found to help in weight reduction. The consumption of flaxseeds, by adding them into your daily diet in the form of milkshakes and smoothies or by directly consuming them, can be beneficial for your overall health as well.
3. Cinnamon
Image source: freepik.com
Cinnamon may help improve the function of insulin receptors, which provides a beneficial effect for women with PCOS. It was also found by researchers that supplementation of cinnamon in diet can improve hormonal levels in women with PCOS7. It can be consumed daily by adding it to water while preparing tea. It can also be consumed in tablet form, which is more concentrated, but you should consult your doctor before doing so.
4. Omega 3 Supplements or Fish Oil
Image source: freepik.com
Studies8 have shown that by taking omega-3 fatty acids supplements, testosterone levels can be reduced and the menstrual cycle can be regulated. However, no change in weight, bleeding, size of the ovary or number of ovarian follicles was observed. Fish oil supplementation showed that omega-3 fatty acids consumption can potentially decrease waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and body mass index9.
5. Chamomile Tea
Image source: freepik.com
Chamomile tea was found to reduce the symptoms of PCOS in animal studies. In the same study10, when the tissues of the ovary were observed under a microscope after treating with chamomile extract, the signs of PCOS were decreased. However, more research on humans is required to ascertain these findings. We can brew chamomile tea by adding a spoonful of chamomile to warm water or using a chamomile tea bag.
6. Aloe Vera Gel
Image source: freepik.com
Aloe vera is used along with certain other compounds to make formulations to manage PCOS, as it helps restore the levels of a hormone in the ovaries. These were the findings of an animal study11. Further research on aloe vera gel’s effect on humans is needed.
7. Nirgundi
Nirgundi is an herb that has many medicinal properties. It acts against insulin resistance, helps decrease androgen levels12, and has similar activity to estrogen13. Therefore, it may have beneficial effects on women with PCOS.
You can eat bitter gourd as a vegetable or drink its juice. This may help control blood sugar levels. Amla or Indian gooseberry also has a similar effect.
Fenugreek leaves and tulsi or basil may help maintain insulin levels. PCOS patients have high levels of insulin, as it remains unused in the body, increasing blood sugar levels.
Balanced diet: Adopting a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet can prove to be beneficial for PCOS as it can help in reducing the symptoms14. A balanced diet containing all the necessary nutrients in healthy proportions may be recommended by your doctor. Kindly consult your physician for guidance.
Weight management: Weight management may lead to the reduction in symptoms of PCOS14, such as loss of scalp hair, increased body hair and acne. An improvement in mood due to the restoration of normal hormone production can also be seen, which in turn might lead to the regulation of periods and improved fertility. Weight management in the case of PCOS also showed a decrease in risk for diabetes and heart diseases. All of this can be achieved by the loss of just 5-10% of weight in women who are obese or overweight14.
PCOS is a complex condition, and there is a need for further research to know the exact mechanism and cause of it. PCOS cannot be treated; therefore, the early and rigorous management of symptoms plays an important role in making sure the condition does not worsen. Lifestyle modifications, weight management, and the diligent use of certain herbs have shown great results in women with PCOS. While there’s no cure for PCOS yet, science continues to offer better ways to understand and manage it. With the right medical support, lifestyle changes, and informed choices, most women with PCOS can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
No, PCOS is not a communicable disease. There is a risk that the disease may occur in families, but the exact mechanism and reason for the occurrence are unknown2.
Can honey cure PCOS?
There is no treatment for PCOS, but thesymptoms associated with PCOS can be managed. There are no reports stating the beneficial effects of honey on the symptoms of PCOS.
Is chamomile tea good for PCOS?
Chamomile tea has an anti-inflammatory action and may help reduce period pain. Therefore, it may be beneficial for PCOS1,9.
Does PCOS cause hair loss?
Yes, loss of scalp hair can occur in PCOS. Other symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, infertility, and excessive hair growth on the face, stomach, and thighs3.
Gautam R, Maan P, Jyoti A, Kumar A, Malhotra N, Arora T. The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in PCOS Management: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2025 Jan 16;17(2):310. doi: 10.3390/nu17020310. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11767734/
Lentscher JA, Decherney AH. Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Mar 1;64(1):3-11. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000563. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10683967/
Shamsi M, Nejati V, Najafi G, Pour SK. Protective effects of licorice extract on ovarian morphology, oocyte maturation, and embryo development in PCOS-induced mice: An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2020 Oct 13;18(10):865-876. doi: 10.18502/ijrm.v13i10.7771. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7569710/
Nowak DA, Snyder DC, Brown AJ, Demark-Wahnefried W. The effect of flaxseed supplementation on hormonal levels associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A case study. Curr Top Nutraceutical Res [Internet]. 2007;5(4):177–81. Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2752973/pdf/nihms93691.pdf
Dastgheib M, Barati-Boldaji R, Bahrampour N, Taheri R, Borghei M, Amooee S, Mohammadi-Sartang M, Wong A, Babajafari S, Mazloomi SM. A comparison of the effects of cinnamon, ginger, and metformin consumption on metabolic health, anthropometric indices, and sexual hormone levels in women with poly cystic ovary syndrome: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial. Front Nutr. 2022 Nov 29;9:1071515. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1071515. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9745082/
Nadjarzadeh A, Dehghani Firouzabadi R, Vaziri N, Daneshbodi H, Lotfi MH, Mozaffari-Khosravi H. The effect of omega-3 supplementation on androgen profile and menstrual status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Iran J Reprod Med. 2013 Aug;11(8):665-72. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3941370/
Khani B, Mardanian F, Fesharaki SJ. Omega-3 supplementation effects on polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms and metabolic syndrome. J Res Med Sci. 2017 May 30;22:64. doi: 10.4103/jrms.JRMS_644_16. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5461594/
Farideh ZZ, Bagher M, Ashraf A, Akram A, Kazem M. Effects of chamomile extract on biochemical and clinical parameters in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome. J Reprod Infertil. 2010 Oct;11(3):169-74. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3719301/
Kakadia N, Patel P, Deshpande S, Shah G. Effect of Vitex negundo L. seeds in letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018 Oct 11;9(4):336-345. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.03.001. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6701941/
Dennett CC, Simon J. The role of polycystic ovary syndrome in reproductive and metabolic health: overview and approaches for treatment. Diabetes Spectr. 2015 May;28(2):116-20. doi: 10.2337/diaspect.28.2.116. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4433074/
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
16 
0
