Effect of Aslagh Capsule, a Traditional Compound Herbal Product on Oligomenorrhea in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Three-Arm, Open-label, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Oligomenorrhea is a common complaint in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There are some useful medicinal recommendations such as Aslagh product (include fennel fruits, carrot seeds, chaste tree fruits) in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of oligomenorrhea in PCOS. Hence, the present investigation was designed to compare Aslagh capsule with metformin on the oligomenorrhea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty women aged between 18-43 years with oligomenorrhea due to PCOS were randomly divided into Aslagh, metformin, and Aslagh + metformin groups. The occurrence of menstrual bleeding was considered as the primary outcome. Menstrual cyclicity, duration, and volume of the bleeding were also evaluated. RESULTS: Occurrence of menstrual bleeding was 87.2% in all patients, with no significant difference between the three groups (P> 0.05). Menstrual cyclicity significantly improved from baseline in Aslagh and Aslagh + metformin groups (P=0.02). Duration of menstrual bleeding was significantly higher in Aslagh group in the first and the second menstrual bleeding cycle compared to the other two groups (P<0.05). No significant change was observed in the volume of the bleeding after the intervention in any of the three groups. The occurrence of menstrual bleeding in Aslagh group was significantly (P=0.03) higher than the other two groups in the fourth month (drug-free period). CONCLUSION: Aslagh capsule showed beneficial effects similar to metformin in the treatment of oligomenorrhea in PCOS women and could be suggested for use as an alternative treatment in these patients.

The Importance of Sleep Hygiene in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome from the View of Iranian Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known as the most common hormonal disorder in women at reproductive age. Recent studies have revealed a high prevalence of sleep disorders in PCOS, suggesting that it is an amendable factor for these patients; however, the sleep was not considered in their treatment plan. According to the Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), sleep is an important item in the lifestyle modification of all diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the importance of sleep hygiene in PCOS from the view of ITM and Modern Medicine. In this study, some keywords about "sleep and PCOS" were searched in medical databases and some ITM books. Lifestyle modification is one of the first steps in treatment of patients with PCOS in which the emphasis will be mainly on exercise and diet. Despite proof of the high prevalence of sleep disorders in these patients, modification of sleep is not considered in their lifestyle. ITM as a holistic medicine emphasizes on lifestyle modification under the title of "Settah-e-Zaruria" (In Persian), the six essential schemes for the prevention and treatment of all diseases. Management of sleep is one of these schemes. There are many advices about sleep hygiene in both ITM and modern medicine. It seems that lifestyle modification should be expanded in PCOS patients to include more options, and sleep hygiene should be considered in their lifestyle alongside food and exercise.