Impact of Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions on Fertility in PCOS: Patient Perspectives and Clinical Outcomes

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Published: 2026-04-30
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/kxqhnh88
Keywords:
Body Mass Index; Infertility; Insulin Resistance; Ovulation Induction; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pregnancy Rate; Reproductive Health.

Main Article Content

Mahvish Qalandar
Former Resident, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan Hospital / AK CMH Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan; Specialist, Fatima Medical Center, Lora, Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Hafsa Amjad
House Officer, Watim Medical Hospital, Rawat, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Iraj Fatima Khan
Sonographer, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Marium Mansoor
Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2732-8012
Zeeshah Nadeem
Lecturer, Mohi-ud-Din Islamic Medical College, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0733-7302
Syedda Zainab Abbas
Department of Pharmacy, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, Pakistan.

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a leading cause of anovulatory infertility and is frequently associated with insulin resistance, obesity, menstrual dysfunction, and psychosocial burden. Integrated treatment strategies may improve reproductive outcomes by targeting both metabolic and ovulatory mechanisms. Objective: To evaluate the impact of lifestyle modification alone versus combined lifestyle and pharmacological therapy on ovulation, menstrual regularity, pregnancy, BMI, and patient experiences among women with insulin-resistant PCOS. Methods: A prospective mixed-methods observational study was conducted over four months in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region. Seventy-two women aged 18–35 years with PCOS, insulin resistance, and subfertility were enrolled, and 68 completed follow-up. Quantitative outcomes included ovulation confirmed by mid-luteal progesterone, menstrual regularity, pregnancy confirmed by serum beta-hCG, BMI change, and progesterone levels. Qualitative interviews explored adherence and treatment experiences. Results: Ovulation increased from 18.1% to 57.4%, menstrual regularity from 22.1% to 61.8%, and pregnancy occurred in 20.6% of participants. Combined therapy produced higher ovulation than lifestyle modification alone (68.2% vs 46.7%) and greater BMI reduction (1.6 ± 0.8 vs 0.9 ± 0.6 kg/m²). BMI reduction correlated positively with ovulatory improvement. Conclusion: Combined lifestyle and pharmacological therapy improved short-term reproductive and metabolic outcomes in insulin-resistant PCOS.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 8 (2026)

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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Mahvish Qalandar, Hafsa Amjad, Iraj Fatima Khan, Marium Mansoor, Zeeshah Nadeem, Syedda Zainab Abbas. Impact of Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions on Fertility in PCOS: Patient Perspectives and Clinical Outcomes. JHWCR [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 30 [cited 2026 Apr. 30];4(8):1-8. Available from: https://jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/1523

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