Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects an estimated 3% to 12% of women of reproductive age in Western societies.
In PCOS, reproductive issues such as the absence of menstruation or other menstrual irregularities, lack or absence of egg release, enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts, and infertility. you may suffer from symptoms like acne, hirsutism (excessive or abnormal distribution of hair growth), baldness like male, obesity, and sleep apnea.
Pathophysiology of pcos
In PCOS women have Biochemical and endocrine abnormalities as of having
higher concentration of free androgens (group of hormones that gives male traits) and decreased production of sex hormone-binding globulin protein from the liver.
Elevated levels of androgens cause
- Hyperinsulinemia (which results from insulin resistance and trigger the production of more androgens)
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Hyperlipidemia
- Menstrual abnormalities
- Hirsutism
- Acne
Nutrition Therapy for Pcos
Obese women can improve insulin resistance, decrease androgen levels and hirsutism, and restore ovulation with weight loss. Historically low– glycemic index diets have been recommended. A low–glycemic index diet results in greater improvements in health, including improved insulin sensitivity, improved menstrual regularity and decreased markers of inflammation compared with a conventional low-fat diet when matched closely for macronutrient and fiber content (Marsh et al, 2010).
A brief nutrition therapy of Pcos is described in the following table.
| Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) | Medical Nutrition therapy for PCOS |
| Obesity | Manage weight through exercise and diet |
| Insulin Resistance in PCOS | Restrict refined carbohydrates in the diet, balance calories, Increase high-fiber foods. Enjoy small, frequent meals 6 times |
In other words, dietary modification in PCOS Nutrition Therapy includes restricting refined carbohydrates and total calories; consuming high-fiber foods; and eating small, frequent meals routinely. It is also observed that some patients respond better with high complex carbohydrates in their diet. while others respond better with a low-carb diet.
Supplements for PCOS
Vitamin D3 (up to 10,000 IU/day), (Nazarian et al, 2011) and chromium picolinate (200 to 1000 mcg/day) have been reported to improve glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity in human subjects (Lydic et al, 2006).
Short-term treatment with N-acetylcysteine (600 mg twice a day) may be useful as an adjunct to clomiphene citrate in women with clomiphene citrate-resistant
infertility (Rizk et al, 2005).
| PCOS | Supplements |
| PCOS with low serum hydroxyvitamin D | Administer vitamin D3 |
| Clomiphene-citrate resistant infertility | Use short term NAC ( N-acetylcysteine (600 mg twice a day) as adjunct |
PCOS treatment with Drug
Metformin is usually prescribed for insulin resistance and resumption of ovulation. Spironolactone is prescribed as anti-androgen plus some oral contraceptives are also prescribed for hirsutism and menstrual irregularities.
Polycystic ovary syndrome Pcos 