Pathophysiology and Nutritional Approaches in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Purpose of Review Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age worldwide. This disease causes menstrual, metabolic, and biochemical abnormalities such as hyperandrogenism, oligo-anovulatory menstrual cycles, polycystic ovary, hyperleptinemia, insulin resistance (IR), and cardiometabolic disorders, often associated with overweight or obesity and visceral adiposity. Recent Findings The etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS are not yet fully understood, but insulin seems to play a key role in this disease. PCOS shares an inflammatory state with other chronic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases; however, recent studies have shown that a healthy nutritional approach can improve IR and metabolic and reproductive functions, representing a valid therapeutic strategy to ameliorate PCOS symptomatology. Summary This review aimed to summarize and collect evidence about different nutritional approaches such as the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and the ketogenic diet (KD), as well as bariatric surgery and nutraceutical supplementation as probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, among the others, used in patients with PCOS.

Perspectivas atuais sobre Síndrome dos Ovários Policísticos: abordagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas

“…A abordagem terapêutica é altamente personalizada, considerando as individualidades de cada paciente (Di Lorenzo et al, 2023). A perda de peso é uma medida frequentemente recomendada, uma vez que diversos estudos evidenciam que mesmo uma redução modesta de 5% a 10% no peso corporal pode restaurar o ciclo menstrual regular.…”

Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet: Potential Application in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescents

“…It has long been established that the Mediterranean diet (MD) has important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties because of the adequate intake of fibers, unsaturated fats and vitamins and bioactive compounds [ 47 ]. Polyphenols have shown efficacy in reducing inflammatory response and insulin secretion in PCOS [ 48 , 49 ].…”

Exploring the Antioxidative Effects of Ginger and Cinnamon: A Comprehensive Review of Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Other Oxidative Stress-Related Disorders

“…PCOS pathophysiology is primarily related to the irregular function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, abnormalities within ovaries, and impairment of insulin action and secretion [4]. The hormonal imbalance caused by the existence of an alteration in the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis is one of the factors involved in the onset of PCOS [5]. The majority of women with PCOS experience hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and insulin resistance [6].…”

“…This occurrence is a characteristic in 80% of PCOS cases, and in obese women, the prevalence of PCOS is even higher. In addition to the obvious negative impact on the menstrual cycle, hyperandrogenism can also cause hirsutism, acne, and androgenic alopecia which are all serious problems for women with PCOS [5]. Additionally, women with PCOS exhibit higher blood insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia), which prematurely arrests follicle development by interacting with LH (luteinizing hormone) [2].…”