The Effectiveness of Healthy Lifestyle in Pregnant Women with a History of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background and Objective: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women in the reproductive age and is associated with several components of the metabolic syndrome such as obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension. A healthy lifestyle for pregnant women includes appropriate weight gain and physical activity during pregnancy, consumption of a wide variety of foods which is very important especially for women with a history of polycystic ovary syndrome. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Search Method: A literature search from 2000 to 2020 was conducted using multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, embase and Web of Science) and using key words of healthy lifestyle; Pregnancy; and polycystic ovary syndrome to identify related studies regarding the research question.Findings: Totally 10 studies included in this review. According to the results of the reviewed articles, there was a direct relationship between a healthy lifestyle and a reduction of pregnancy complications in women with PCOS. Furthermore, pregnant women with PCOS should be instructed about possibilities for diabetes prevention, in particular weight management and increase of physical activity. A healthy lifestyle is recommended for these young women and their children to prevent obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this specific population at increased risk.Conclusion: The results indicate that the risk of pregnancy complications was not increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who were following a healthy lifestyle. Further studies are warranted assessing the contribution of lifestyle factors to the risk of pregnancy complications in higher-risk groups of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Keywords:

Healthy lifestyle , Pregnancy , Polycystic ovary syndrome