Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on Hyperandrogenism Markers in Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil on lipid profile, hormonal level and BMI among women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome. To evaluate the safety assessment of evening primrose oil among women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome. Methodology: The study was conducted among 48 participants with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0–29.9 who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. First, all the participants were divided into two groups: the control group (n = 24) and the treatment group (n = 24). The participants were selected from Shoukat Surgical Hospital Gynecology OPD Wards 1 and 2, Depalpur, District Okara. All the participants in the control and treatment groups were given conventional medicines (as per physician recommendation) and a modified diet plan for 10 weeks, but treatment group participants were also given 1000 mg of Evening primrose oil daily. It was requested that the participants not change their usual exercise routine and refrain from using any additional dietary supplements. The samples for biochemical tests of Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, estrogen, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were collected on week 1 and after week 10 of the study. Results Both married and unmarried participants were included in the study. The average mean ages of both groups in control and treatment were 30.16 ± 7.174 and 31.36 ± 5.61 respectively. The mean significant difference in BMI pre and post-treatment in the control group was 26.77 ± 1.48 to 23.22 ± 0.87 and in the treatment group 26.95 ± 1.29 to 22.35 ± 1.30. The mean significant difference in LDL from pretreatment 134.6 ± 20.0 to post treatment 90.4 ± 15.1 and total cholesterol level from pretreatment 234.4 ± 27.1 to post treatment 179.9 ± 24.53 in treatment group was observed. A reduction in levels of the hormones FSH, LH and testosterone was observed, while the estrogen level increased after 10 weeks of study. The mean significant difference of hormones LH pre and post treatment (5.96 ± 1.11 to 4.80 ± 1.08), FSH pre and post treatment (3.74 ± 0.67 to 3.45 ± 0.60), testosterone pre and post treatment (3.64 ± 0.79 to 3.59 ± 0.50), and estrogen pre and post treatment (62.41 ± 8.4 to 76.53 ± 8.79). Conclusion Evening primrose oil (EPO) showed a significant mean difference in the reduction of BMI in overweight participants (p = 0.000). There is a significant mean difference in LDL, total cholesterol, LH, FSH, testosterone, and estrogen.