EFFECTIVENESS OF AYURVEDIC REGIMENS IN MANAGING POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME AND RELATED COMORBIDITIES: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting 8-13% of women of reproductive age worldwide, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries, with an estimated 70% of cases remaining undiagnosed. This observational study aimed to assess the efficacy of Ayurvedic regimens in managing PCOS and associated comorbidities, highlighting the potential of integrative approaches in women's health. The study was conducted in the Out-patient department of Streeroga and Prasuti Tantra at Patanjali Bhartiya Ayurvigyan Evam Anusandhana Sansthan and, included 50 women aged 18-45 diagnosed with PCOS, who were treated with individualized Ayurvedic interventions over six months. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Data collection was performed using a three-part questionnaire, and Quality of Life (QoL) scores were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA, with supplementary analyses conducted using Chi-Square tests and power analysis. Results demonstrated that Ayurvedic herbs, specifically Cinnamon and Shatavari, were associated with a 39.13% improvement in QoL scores among PCOS patients after three months of treatment. ANOVA indicated statistically significant differences in QoL scores pre-and post-treatment. However, the study's statistical power was modest, and Chi-Square tests did not reveal significant differences between pre-and post-treatment assessments. The findings suggest that Ayurvedic interventions, including herbal remedies, dietary modifications, Panchakarma therapies, yoga, and lifestyle changes, may significantly enhance QoL in women with PCOS. Nonetheless, the study recommends further research with larger sample sizes and randomized controlled trials to substantiate these preliminary findings.

KEYWORDS: PCOS, Women's health, Insulin resistance, Ayurveda, QoL