Lifestyle choices, diet, and insulin sensitizers in polycystic ovary syndrome

Endocrine. 2006 Aug;30(1):35-43. doi: 10.1385/ENDO:30:1:35.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is significantly affected by environmental regulators impacting on genetic predisposition. Lifestyle changes can significantly modulate the phenotype of this disease. Diet, exercise, smoking, stress, and other factors adversely affect reproductive outcomes in PCOS. These influences can be modulated by structure change in an individual or group. Lifestyle choices should be discussed in this group of patients. The role of insulin sensitizers, including metformin, has still to be determined in this condition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Caffeine / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infertility, Female / complications*
  • Infertility, Female / pathology
  • Infertility, Female / prevention & control*
  • Life Style*
  • Metformin / therapeutic use
  • Nutritional Status / physiology
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / complications*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / pathology
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Stress, Physiological / pathology

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Caffeine
  • Metformin