Exploring the Role of Improved Dietary Habits and Lifestyle on the Drug Therapy in the Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at Different Clinical Settings in Hyderabad

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine-metabolic disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, menstrual dysfunction, insulin resistance, and obesity, and optimal management increasingly requires approaches that address both symptoms and underlying metabolic disturbance. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of structured dietary and lifestyle modification as an adjunct to standard pharmacological therapy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated in different clinical settings in Hyderabad, Sindh. Methods: This prospective interventional study enrolled 200 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, allocated equally to an experimental group receiving pharmacotherapy plus structured lifestyle intervention and a control group receiving pharmacotherapy alone. The lifestyle program included dietary counseling focused on low-glycemic-index foods, reduced refined carbohydrate intake, and gradual weight control, together with regular aerobic and resistance exercise. Outcomes included serum testosterone, body mass index, and menstrual regularity. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 22.0 using descriptive statistics, independent- and paired-samples t tests, chi-square testing, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Results: Most participants had elevated baseline testosterone and 72.5% were obese. Testosterone differed significantly between groups after intervention (t=6.98, p<0.001), oligomenorrhea improved significantly (χ²=52.914, p<0.001), BMI showed a moderate positive correlation with testosterone (r=0.45, p<0.01), and the intervention demonstrated a large effect size (Cohen’s d=0.85). Conclusion: Structured lifestyle modification meaningfully enhanced pharmacological management of polycystic ovary syndrome and supports integration of diet and exercise counseling into routine care.