The Effect of self-care strategies on symptom management of polycystic ovary disease (PCOS): a systematic review

Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormone imbalance disorder affecting women, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles and the presence of cysts on the ovaries. The symptoms of PCOS can have significant impacts on fertility, weight management, and mental health. This emphasizes the importance of effective self-care strategies for managing the symptoms associated with PCOS. It points out that addressing these symptoms through self-care is crucial for improving the overall well-being and quality of life of individuals with PCOS. Method: We conducted a thorough search on scientific databases including Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Pubmed using specific keywords related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), self-care, PCOS symptoms, and self-care strategies. By utilizing Boolean operators and filters to refine the search results to include only relevant study types and recent publications (2010-2024), we identified a total of 22 articles that aligned with our research objectives. Ultimately, 18 of these articles were selected for inclusion in our work based on their relevance and types.Results: The self-care strategies investigated included lifestyle modification (diet, exercise, stress management), pharmaceutical interventions (herbal supplements, probiotics), and a combination of these approaches. The findings showed that lifestyle modification, especially diet and exercise, is effective in improving metabolic parameters such as insulin resistance, lipid profile, and body weight. It was also found that exercise reduces androgen levels and improves ovulation. Herbal supplements, such as metformin and inositol, have shown promising results in the management of hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, and fertility outcomes.