Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common problem for women of reproductive age. It affects 5-10% of the population, with as many as 5 million American women suffering from it. That is troubling because PCOS is the most common cause of ovulatory infertility. If your meds are not doing the trick, adding this herb may be the difference.
PCOS is caused by insulin resistance, excessive male hormones and cholesterol problems. It causes a spectrum of symptoms, including menstrual abnormalities, enlarged ovaries with lots of small cysts, and elevated male hormones. Conventionally available treatments often have “limited efficacy and considerable side effects.”
The diabetes drug metformin is commonly used for PCOS. This 12 week, double-blind study gave women with PCOS either metformin + placebo, curcumin + placebo, metformin + curcumin, or 2 placebos. The big question was, Would adding curcumin to metformin work better than metformin alone?
The answer was yes! Compared to the other groups, the combination of metformin + curcumin produced significant improvements in reducing the bad LDL cholesterol, increasing the good HDL cholesterol and reducing triglycerides. It significantly improved markers of glucose metabolism. Adding the curcumin also magnified improvements in testosterone, FSH and LH. Weight and body mass index also improved.
The researchers conclude that combining curcumin with metformin works better than either treatment alone. So, for women who are having difficulty managing their PCOS, adding curcumin may be a safe and effective strategy.
Phytomedicine. December 2024;135:156160.