AUTHOR(S): Dipika Mandal Sarkar, Lakshmi Narayan Kaibarta and Subhashis Biswas

ABSTRACT:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting approximately 5-20% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by hormonal imbalance, menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Given the multifactorial nature of the condition, lifestyle-based interventions such as yoga have gained attention for their potential to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce stress, and support hormonal regulation through physical postures, breathing practices, and mindfulness. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence published between 2010 and 2025 on the effectiveness of yoga and related complementary therapies in the management of PCOS. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Eleven randomized controlled trials involving women with PCOS and interventions including yoga, pranayama, and meditation were included. Data on study characteristics, intervention protocols, and outcomes were extracted, and methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0). The findings indicate that yoga-based interventions are associated with improvements in metabolic, hormonal, and psychological health. Yoga was shown to influence key metabolic pathways and contribute to reduced psychological distress commonly observed in women with PCOS. The review suggests that yoga offers a meaningful complementary approach that addresses both physiological and psychosocial aspects of PCOS management.

Pages: 657-661  |  90 Views  33 Downloads