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Rao VS, Armour M, Cheema BS, Smith CA, Moran L, Perera RS, Lim S, Gupta S, De Manincor M, Vaidya R, Ee C. Use of traditional and complementary medicine by ethnic Indian women living with polycystic ovary syndrome: a global survey. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:392. [PMID: 37924068 PMCID: PMC10623873 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04229-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is commonly used by those living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) but little is known about the use of TCIM such as yoga and Ayurveda in ethnic Indian women with PCOS living worldwide. This survey aimed to explore the prevalence and types of TCIM used and in particular the pattern of use of yoga and Ayurveda including reasons for not using and future interest in using them among non-users. METHOD An online, international cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pre-designed survey tool. Participants were ethnic Indian women of reproductive age who reported that they were medically diagnosed with PCOS. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the proportion of TCIM users, while a multivariable binary logistic regression was used to analyze their characteristics. RESULTS Data from 3130 respondents were analysed. The prevalence of TCIM use was 80% (2515/3130). Yoga and Ayurveda were the most frequently practised TCIM modalities with a prevalence of 57% and 37% respectively. We found a high future interest in using yoga (81%) and Ayurveda (70%) among the non-users. The motivation for most Ayurveda use was a recommendation from family/friends (66%), rather than personal choice (38%) or the internet (19%). Most women used Ayurveda because it has natural ingredients (64%) and it is safe (60%) and cited its use to be safe and somewhat helpful. The majority of women were currently practising yoga (73%) up to four times a week (54%) at home (93%). Yoga was primarily used to improve overall health (67%), manage weight (64%), stress (54%) hormonal imbalance (49%) and emotional well-being (48%). Barriers to practising yoga were common among the current users and non-users and included lack of motivation (59% and 59%), time constraints (48% and 39%), and non-availability of yoga teachers specialised in PCOS (31% and 23%). Most women found yoga to be helpful and preferred individual one-on-one (52%) yoga sessions specifically tailored for PCOS (58%). CONCLUSION This is the first international study that discovered the prevalence and pattern of TCIM use among ethnic Indian women with PCOS living worldwide. We support the urgent need for more research, education, and regulation of different TCIM modalities to promote safe and effective practices globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibhuti Samarth Rao
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia.
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia
| | - Birinder S Cheema
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Caroline A Smith
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia
| | - Lisa Moran
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Romain S Perera
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Siew Lim
- Health Systems and Equity, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Boxhill, VIC, 3128, Australia
| | - Sabrina Gupta
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3689, Australia
| | - Michael De Manincor
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia
| | - Rama Vaidya
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, Kasturba Health Society's Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, 400056, India
| | - Carolyn Ee
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia.
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Alur-Gupta S, Dokras A. Considerations in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety in Women with PCOS. Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41:37-44. [PMID: 38113882 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are known to be at a greater risk of depression and anxiety. What is less clear is whether existing treatments for PCOS are effective in managing this increased risk and what the optimal approach to treatment is. In this review, currently available interventions are explored including lifestyle modifications, oral contraceptives, insulin sensitizing agents, psychosocial interventions and psychiatric medications. While data are often conflicting, lifestyle interventions, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) appear most promising in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in this population. There is an urgent need for large prospective studies to fill gaps in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Alur-Gupta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Anuja Dokras
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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