Faculty mentor/PI email address
venkatar@rowan.edu
Keywords
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Yoga Therapy, Insulin Resistance, Hyperandrogenism, Metabolic Dysfunction, Hormonal Regulation, Lifestyle Intervention
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting approximately 8–12% of reproductive-aged women and is commonly associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and metabolic dysfunction¹. Lifestyle modification remains first-line therapy; however, adherence to conventional interventions is often limited²,³. As a result, there has been growing interest in complementary approaches such as yoga, which integrates physical activity, breath control, and stress reduction⁴.
This focused literature review evaluates the impact of routine yoga practice on metabolic and hormonal outcomes in women with PCOS. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted, identifying 201 articles. After screening and applying inclusion criteria, 23 studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis.
Across studies, yoga interventions were consistently associated with improvements in insulin resistance, including reductions in fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)⁵,⁶, as well as improved glycemic control and lipid profiles⁵,⁶,⁷. Favorable hormonal changes were also observed, including reductions in serum testosterone, improved LH/FSH ratios, and increased menstrual regularity⁹,¹⁰,¹¹. Notably, several studies demonstrated metabolic improvements independent of significant weight loss⁵,⁸ suggesting underlying physiologic regulation.
Overall, the evidence supports yoga as a low-cost, accessible adjunctive therapy that may address both metabolic and endocrine dysfunction in PCOS. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to establish standardized protocols and evaluate long-term clinical outcomes.
Disciplines
Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Medicine and Health Sciences
Included in
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons, Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons
Impact of Routine Yoga Practice on Metabolic and Hormonal Outcomes in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting approximately 8–12% of reproductive-aged women and is commonly associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and metabolic dysfunction¹. Lifestyle modification remains first-line therapy; however, adherence to conventional interventions is often limited²,³. As a result, there has been growing interest in complementary approaches such as yoga, which integrates physical activity, breath control, and stress reduction⁴.
This focused literature review evaluates the impact of routine yoga practice on metabolic and hormonal outcomes in women with PCOS. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted, identifying 201 articles. After screening and applying inclusion criteria, 23 studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis.
Across studies, yoga interventions were consistently associated with improvements in insulin resistance, including reductions in fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)⁵,⁶, as well as improved glycemic control and lipid profiles⁵,⁶,⁷. Favorable hormonal changes were also observed, including reductions in serum testosterone, improved LH/FSH ratios, and increased menstrual regularity⁹,¹⁰,¹¹. Notably, several studies demonstrated metabolic improvements independent of significant weight loss⁵,⁸ suggesting underlying physiologic regulation.
Overall, the evidence supports yoga as a low-cost, accessible adjunctive therapy that may address both metabolic and endocrine dysfunction in PCOS. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to establish standardized protocols and evaluate long-term clinical outcomes.