Hormonal
Lifestyle interventions do not significantly improve glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, or clinical reproductive outcomes (ovulation, pregnancy) in women with PCOS based on current evidence.
While lifestyle changes are beneficial for weight, insulin, and hormones in PCOS, they may not be enough to normalize glucose tolerance or lipid profiles. Women with these specific concerns may need additional pharmacological interventions alongside lifestyle changes. Additionally, current evidence does not support lifestyle changes as a standalone treatment for improving ovulation or pregnancy rates.
There was no evidence of effect of lifestyle for body mass index, free androgen index, sex hormone binding globulin, glucose or lipids; and no data for quality of life, patient satisfaction or acne. There were no studies assessing fertility primary outcomes and no data for meta-analysis on ovulation or menstrual regularity.
Why this rating
Based on 6 RCTs, but limited by small sample sizes and lack of data for key reproductive outcomes.
Source
Lifestyle changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Lisa Moran et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2011
DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd007506.pub2
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