Cinnamon for PCOS.

Written By Madeleine Dennis

General overview of PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multi-faceted endocrine disorder that impacts the metabolic, reproductive, and psychological health of women (Fernandez et al., 2018). The prevalence of PCOS, globally is estimated to be 5-10% (Sarris & Wardle, 2019). PCOS is deemed the most common endocrine disturbance in women of reproductive age and one of the major causes of anovulatory infertility (Heshmati et al., 2020; Sarris & Wardle, 2019).

Criteria for diagnosis

In accordance with the Rotterdam and National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria for diagnosis, PCOS is indicated if two out of the three categories are met (Craft et al., 2019). Diagnostic criteria include oligo-ovulation and/or anovulation, hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism, elevated serum androgens), and polycystic ovaries identified by gynaecological ultrasound (Craft et al., 2019; Sarris & Wardle, 2019).

Cinnamon as a complementary treatment

With an increased interest in complementary treatments for PCOS and a shortage of strong evidence, the evaluation of cinnamon as an alternative treatment warrants further investigation (Moini Jazani et al., 2019). Several clinical studies have reported varying results about the efficacy of cinnamon for the treatment of women with PCOS (Heshmati et al., 2020). Evidence suggests that cinnamon may have the following effects:

  • Hypoglycaemic effects (lower blood sugar)

  • Improved insulin sensitivity

  • Improved menstrual frequency and regularity

  • Increased HDL and decreased LDL

  • Decreased triglycerides and blood glucose

(Braun & Cohen, 2015; Heshmati et al., 2019; Maleki et al., 2021).

Dose

1.5g-3g per day

30-60ml 1:4 liquid tonic

Conclusions

Cinnamon may be effective in the management of some PCOS symptoms, superior to placebo with a comparable effect to metformin. Cinnamon has demonstrated positive effects on menstrual frequency and regularity, improved insulin sensitivity, decreased insulin levels and supported lipid profiles. Cinnamon supplementation may provide a complementary treatment option in clinical practice for the management of PCOS.

Cinnamon is just one supplemental tool we can use to support PCOS and there are many others. If you are interested to learn more about how naturopathy may help PCOS please reach out.

References

Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2015). Herbs & natural supplements: an evidence-based guide. (4th ed.). Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

Craft, J., Gordon, C. J., Huether, S. E., McCance, K. L., Brashers, V. L., & Rote, N. S. (2019). Understanding pathophysiology. (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

Fernandez, R. C., Moore, V. M., Van Ryswyk, E. M., Varcoe, T. J., Rodgers, R. J., March, W. A., Moran, L. J., Avery, J. C., McEvoy, R. D., & Davies, M. J. (2018). Sleep disturbances in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: prevalence, pathophysiology, impact and management strategies. Nature and Science of Sleep, 10. 45-64. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S127475

Heshmati, J., Sepidarkish, M., Morvaridzadeh, M., Farsi, F., Tripathi, N., Razavi, M., & Rezaeinejad, M. (2020). The effect of cinnamon supplementation on glycemic control in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 45(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13543

Moini Jazani, A., Nasimi Doost Azgomi, H., Nasimi Doost Azgomi, A., & Nasimi Doost Azgomi, R. (2019). A comprehensive review of clinical studies with herbal medicine on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Daru: journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 27(2), 863–877. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40199-019-00312-0

Sarris, J. & Wardle, J. (Eds.). (2019). Clinical naturopathy: an evidence-based guide to practice. (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

Madeleine Dennis