Keywords
Diet
Physical Exercise
Lifestyle
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the impact of lifestyle changes on the management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), with emphasis on clinical, metabolic, and reproductive outcomes. Methods: This is an integrative review conducted according to the PRISMA strategy, using the SciELO, LILACS, and PubMed databases. To guide the search, filters were applied (language, open access, and age range). Experimental and observational studies involving women ≥13 years diagnosed with PCOS were included. Outcomes of interest included anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal data. Results: Lifestyle interventions showed consistent reductions in glycemic markers and improvements in lipid and anthropometric profiles. A decrease in androgens and an increase in reproductive hormone ratios were observed, indicating partial restoration of the reproductive axis and clinical manifestations. Dietary protocols, combined programs with exercise, and digital approaches showed favorable effects and, in some cases, superior results compared to usual care. Final considerations: Lifestyle modification is an effective strategy in the treatment of PCOS, promoting integrated improvements in metabolic, hormonal, and anthropometric profiles, with potential positive impact on fertility. It is understood that limitations such as lack of sample heterogeneity, study designs, and intervention types restricted the ability to extrapolate the results.
References
ABDOLAHIAN S, et al. Effect of lifestyle modifications on anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Endocr Disord, 2020; 20: 71.
BALEN AH, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome: the spectrum of the disorder in 1741 patients. Hum Reprod, 2016; 21(12): 350–63.
BOZBULUT R, et al. Beneficial effects of RESMENA diet on anthropometric, metabolic, and reproductive profile in adolescents with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled intervention study. Horm Res Paediatr, 2024; 97(5): 483–95.
CAO S e HU Y. Effects of serum irisin, neuregulin 4, and weight management on obese adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome. Biosci Rep, 2021; 41(9): BSR20211658.
CAROLO AL, et al. Nutritional counseling promotes changes in the dietary habits of overweight and obese adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet, 2017; 39(12): 654–60.
CHI Y, et al. The dietary phytochemical index and its relation to polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control study. J Ovarian Res, 2024; 17(1): 228.
DAL SASSO MENDES K, et al. Revisão integrativa: método de pesquisa para a incorporação de evidências na saúde e na enfermagem. Texto Contexto Enferm, 2008; 17(4): 758–64.
DILIMULATI D, et al. Efficacy of WeChat-based digital intervention versus metformin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res, 2024; 26: e55883.
DIETZ DE LOOS ALP, et al. Metabolic health during a randomized controlled lifestyle intervention in women with PCOS. Eur J Endocrinol, 2021; 186(1): 53–64.
FEYZIOGLU BS, et al. Eight hour time restricted feeding: a strong candidate diet protocol for first line therapy in polycystic ovary syndrome. Nutrients, 2023; 15(10): 2260.
FEBRASGO. Síndrome dos Ovários Policísticos (SOP). São Paulo: FEBRASGO; 2018.
GARCÍA-GÓMEZ E, et al. The effect of metformin and carbohydrate-controlled diet on DNA methylation and gene expression in the endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Mol Sci, 2023; 24(7): 6857.
JIANG X, et al. Effect of light fasting diet therapy on lipid metabolism and sex hormone levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome combined with infertility. Gynecol Endocrinol, 2025; 41(1).
JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. SMART goals toolkit. 2020.
KAZEMI SF, et al. Efficacy of combined aerobic exercise and vitamin E on metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. J Endocrinol Invest, 2022; 45(9): 1723–31.
MAGAGNINI MC, et al. Does the ketogenic diet improve the quality of ovarian function in obese women? Nutrients, 2022; 14(19): 4147.
MENDES KDS, et al. Revisão integrativa: método de pesquisa para a incorporação de evidências na saúde e na enfermagem. Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem, 2008; 4: 758-764.
MIZGIER M, et al. Association of macronutrients composition, physical activity and serum androgen concentration in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Nutrients, 2021; 14(1): 73.
MOHAMED AH, et al. Impact of lifestyle interventions on reproductive and psychological outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore), 2025; 104(3): e41178.
NAJDGHOLAMI Z, et al. Flaxseed intervention and reproductive endocrine profiles in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: an open-labeled randomized controlled clinical trial. Front Endocrinol, 2025; 16: 1531762.
NAHIDI F, et al. The impact of a lifestyle promotion program on anthropometric and clinical manifestations in adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Womens Health, 2024; 24(1): 637.
NASIRI M, et al. Modulation of hormonal, metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome following combined (resistant and endurance) training: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Endocr Disord, 2025; 25(1): 1.
OZDEMIR M, et al. Comparison of metabolic and hormonal profiles between low AGEs and standard AGEs containing weight loss diets in overweight phenotype-A PCOS patients: a randomized clinical trial. Reprod Sci, 2025; 32(4): 1190–1201.
ROSENFIELD RL, EHRMANN DA. The Pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): The Hypothesis of PCOS as Functional Ovarian Hyperandrogenism Revisited. Endocrine Reviews, 2016; 37(5): 467-520.
COWAN S, et al. Lifestyle management in polycystic ovary syndrome – beyond diet and physical activity. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 2023; 23(1): 14.
SHARIFI M, et al. The effects of portfolio moderate-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets on anthropometric indices, metabolic status, and hormonal levels in overweight or obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr J, 2024; 23(1): 152.
SHAH A, et al. Effects of oral contraception and lifestyle modification on incretins and TGF-β superfamily hormones in PCOS. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2021; 106(1): 108–19.
TEEDE HJ, et al. Recommendations from the International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Hum Reprod, 2018; 33(9): 1602–18.