The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Hypothalamic Pituitary Ovarian (HPO) Axis in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Ramadan fasting is a religious practice and an exceptional ritual compared to all other religious conventions. The aim of fasting in Ramadan is to establish a proper religious model of self-control and healthy lifestyle. <strong>Objectives:</strong> The purpose of this study was to compare the biochemical neurohormones between women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with and without fasting. <strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> This study was conducted during July 2011 at the Infertility Center of Royan Institute, and comprised 40 patients diagnosed with PCOS, aged from 20-40 years without any special disease. The study group included 20 women with PCOS and fasting during Ramadan. The control group consisted of 20 non-fasting women with PCOS. The study on the effects of fasting on patients with polycystic ovary syndrome involved demographic data and biochemical stress hormones including cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, beta-endorphin and insulin. <strong>Results:</strong> In patients with PCOS, mean of cortisol in subjects with and without fasting were 8.2 ± 4.4 and 11.2 ± 4.7, respectively (P = 0.049). Also the respective median of nor-adrenaline in fasting and non-fasting patients were 1273.5 and 1503.5 (P = 0.047). However, no significant differences were found in adrenalin (P = 0.151), beta-endorphin (P = 0.543) and insulin (P = 0.818) between PCOS two groups. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study showed that Ramadan fasting is a well known practice to reduce stress hormones in women with PCOS. So, Ramadan, beside its spiritual benefit is a blessing from God for improving human lifestyle.