Summary: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 10-15% of women in reproductive age, and is one of the most common endocrine disorders in Australia as well as India, where this case study was conducted. PCOS is also often combined with insulin resistance, obesity and other components of metabolic syndrome. This case study looked at how applying naturopathic principles – yoga, prioritising proper sleep and dietary measures – can improve the outcomes of a patient with PCOS and its associated symptoms. After 6 months of naturopathic treatment, the 25 year old female assessed in this case study had a reduction in weight, morphological changes within the ovary, as well as a more regular menstrual cycle. Given that the conventional management of PCOS is solely focused on weight loss and the prescription of medications such as metformin, oral contraceptives and anti-androgens, this case study provides evidence that beyond symptomatic management there is lasting changes that can be achieved through changed lifestyle and dietary habits, and perhaps it should be considered as a first line treatment for PCOS for young females. This treatment option is also much more cost effective than medication administration. It is critical that early identification, as well as physician education on the role that diet and lifestyle plays on PCOS is embedded within the medical system to ensure that females are able to be supported in the safest way with the least amount of harm.
Abstract:
Owing to stress, sedentary lifestyle and changes in diet pattern, there is an increase in the surge of lifestyle and metabolic disorders. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 8–13% of reproductive-aged women. PCOS is characterised by menstrual irregularity, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). The efficacy of yoga as a therapy to tackle the direct and indirect cause of ailment in the management of PCOS is to be documented. This is the case study of a female patient age 25 years, a diagnosed case of PCOS was registered at the Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy (AYUSH), yoga OPD, with complaints of irregular menstruation, treated successfully by Yoga and Naturopathy (Y and N), i.e., yoga, diet and lifestyle modification. This is evident from the reduction in weight, regularisation of the menstrual cycle along with morphological changes in the ovary after a follow-up of 6 months.
Article Publication Date: 11.04.22
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_651_21
