The Impact of Diet on PCOS

Fatma Abdulaziz & Eatemad Alhusainan

Abstract: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted hormonal and metabolic disorder affecting over 10% of women of reproductive age, often leading to reproductive, metabolic, and psychological complications. This paper examines the role of diet and lifestyle in managing PCOS, emphasizing that insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances are central to its pathophysiology. It explores PCOS subtypes—insulin-resistant, inflammatory, and adrenal-driven—and their distinct triggers, highlighting how tailored nutritional strategies can address these mechanisms. Evidence supports anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diets, particularly the Mediterranean diet, for improving insulin sensitivity, reducing androgen levels, and enhancing reproductive outcomes. Complementary lifestyle interventions, including meal timing, regular physical activity, stress management, and adequate sleep, further optimize long-term health. The paper concludes that individualized dietary counseling and early lifestyle intervention, integrated within an interdisciplinary healthcare framework, are essential for sustainable PCOS management and prevention of chronic complications, while calling for further research on diet-specific effects across PCOS subtypes.​​

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