Supplementing with cinnamon may help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) improve menstrual regularity.

November 6, 2014

1 Min Read
Cinnamon May Improve Menstrual Regularity in PCOS Women

SPRING HILL, Tenn.—Supplementing with cinnamon may help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) improve menstrual regularity. (Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014;211:487.e1-6.)

In the double blind, placebo controlled study, 45 women took either Cinnulin PF from Integrity Nutraceuticals International (1.5 g/d) or a placebo for six months. Menstrual cyclicity (average cycles/month) during the six-month study period was compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Changes in menstrual cyclicity and insulin resistance between baseline and the six-month study period were compared between the two groups using Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

Of the 45 women, 26 completed three months of the study, and 17 women completed the entire six months. During the six-month intervention, menstrual cycles were more frequent in patients taking cinnamon compared with patients taking placebo (median, 0.75; interquartile range, 0.50.83 vs median, 0.25; interquartile range, 00.54; P = .0085; Mann Whitney U). In patients taking cinnamon, menstrual cyclicity improved from baseline (þ 0.23 cycles/month 95-percent confidence interval, 0.0990.36), yet did not improve for women taking placebo (P = .0076, Wilcoxon signed rank).

Samples (n = 5) of serum from the luteal phase in different patients within the cinnamon group were thawed and ovulatory progesterone levels (>3 ng/mL) confirmed. Luteal phase progesterone levels (>3 ng/mL, n = 5) confirmed ovulatory menses. Measures of insulin resistance or serum androgen levels did not change for either group.

While menopause remains a popular arena for researchers, ingredient suppliers and supplement manufacturers, a breadth of ingredients on the market answers the growing call from younger generations for supplemental support. Read “Casting a Wide Net in Women’s Health" from INSIDER’s Content Library to find out more.

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