This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Hormones in PCOS-like phenotype not affected by dietary changes
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
In women with a subclinical range of polycystic ovary syndrome features but without overt PCOS, dietary interventions do not appear likely to improve reproductive function, according to recent findings.
In a prospective cohort study, Lindsey A. Sjaarda, PhD, of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and colleagues evaluated 259 premenopausal women aged 18 to 44 years enrolled in the BioCycle study. Participants had menstrual cycles between 21 and 35 days for the previous 6 months, an absence of pregnancy or postpartum state in the previous 6 months and no history of PCOS or other endocrine dysfunction. Participants also had not taken hormonal contraceptives for the past 12 months or oral contraceptives or other hormone supplements for the past 3 months.
Lindsey A. Sjaarda
Participants were followed between 2005 and 2007 for one menstrual cycle (n = 9) or two cycles (n = 250). The researchers assessed diet factors for up to eight 24-hour dietary recalls. The recalls were administered four times during each menstrual cycle, timed to coincide with menstruation, the midfollicular phase, estimated day of ovulation and the midluteal phase.
The researchers analyzed correlations between dietary intake of carbohydrates, macronutrients, overall diet equality and hormones, including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and total and free testosterone. They also assessed the associations between diabetes intake and occurrence of the “PCOS-like phenotype,” as defined by high total testosterone combined with high AMH.
The researchers found no significant associations between dietary intake of carbohydrates, percentage of calories from any macronutrient or overall diet quality and relevant hormones. Similarly they found no significant relationship between the dietary variables and the incidence of a subclinical PCOS-like phenotype. The only exception was a higher likelihood of the PCOS-like phenotype with higher consumption of fiber.
These findings persisted in a sensitivity analysis restricted to participants with overweight or obesity.
“While dietary interventions may still have promise in women with clinical PCOS, particularly with features of insulin resistance and/or obesity, such intervention is unlikely to improve reproductive function within the subclinical range of these features outside of the context of obesity,” the researchers wrote. “Thus, specific recommendations regarding dietary intake, particularly regarding carbohydrate intake, to prevent progression of PCOS in women with subclinical features may not be warranted, aside from general recommendations for a healthful diet that are universal in promoting overall health and preventing other chronic disease in women.” – by Jennifer Byrne
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts