UNRAVELLING AYURVEDIC APPROACH FOR MANAGEMENT OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)

Dr. Smita Dube* and Dr. Zahida Nagori

ABSTRACT

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive and endocrine health condition and is highly prevalent among Indian women of reproductive age group. This disorder accounts for 25% of all infertility cases with 73% of women suffering from PCOS experiencing infertility due to anovulation. Oral contraceptives, progestins, anti-androgens and ovulation induction agents remain conventional therapies in allopathy for managing PCOS. These therapies are focused only on symptomatic treatment and not on improving the underlying pathogenesis of PCOS. Ayurveda can be considered as an alternative treatment with various options of herbal ingredients for managing every symptom of PCOS and targeting its underlying pathogenesis without any side effects. A thorough literature through Pubmed, Cochrane database and Pubmed Central identified numerous articles on clinical evidence of herbal extracts in PCOS management. These included Nastapushpantaka rasa, Rajahapravartini Vati, Kuberaksha vati, Kachnar gugal, Satapushpa Shatavari and few others. Polypop is an herbal formulation consisting of a combination of herbal extracts. Tab Polypop, a herbal formulation has shown pregnancy rates (49.2% of women with PCOS and infertility issues) which are similar to that of clomiphene citrate and metformin therapy. This combination of herbal formulation is safe and has proved synergism with clinical effectiveness in targeting pathogenesis of PCOS.

Keywords: Infertility, Herbal, PCOS, Satapushpa Shatavari, Women, Infertility.