Comparing the effects of nettle extract with combined oral contraceptives on improving clinical and paraclinical symptoms of polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most significant reproductive and endocrine disorders in women. This study aims to assess the impact of nettle extract on both clinical and paraclinical symptoms in women with PCOS. Methods: This Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial involved ۶۰ women (n = ۳۰ per group) aged ۱۸ to ۴۵, all diagnosed with PCOS based on definitive diagnostic criteria in Tabriz, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned in a ۱:۱ ratio using block sizes of ۴ and ۶ into two groups: an intervention group (receiving ۵۰۰ mg of oral nettle extract containing flavonoids, tannins, and sterols daily for three months) and a control group (receiving combined oral contraceptives [COCs] for three months). Independent t-test and ANCOVA test were used in SPSS version ۲۴ for data analysis. A p-value of <۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant. Results: The study showed that after the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences between the nettle extract group and the control group regarding mean levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P=۰.۱۹۷), total testosterone (P=۰.۲۴), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (P=۰.۵۴۹), luteinizing hormone (LH) (P=۰.۳۹۸), hirsutism score (P=۰.۱۴۹), or duration of menstrual bleeding (P=۰.۹۸۲), based on ANCOVA adjusted for baseline values, education level, and number of pregnancies. However, the two groups exhibited statistically significant differences in fasting blood glucose levels (P=۰.۰۲۰), intervals between menstrual bleeding (days) (P=۰.۰۳۱), and menstrual bleeding intensity (P = ۰.۰۰۸). Conclusion: The findings indicate that nettle extract is as effective as low-dose oral contraceptive pills in reducing levels of dehydroepiandrosterone, total testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as in decreasing hirsutism scores and the duration of menstrual bleeding. Midwives can use nettle extract, which is a cheap, easy, and non-invasive method to improve PCO symptoms.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nettle extract ، Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ، Contraceptives ، Oral ، Combined ، Signs and Symptoms