Celery plus Anise Versus Metformin for the Treatment of Oligomenorrhea in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Triple-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-induced oligomenorrhea can leave psychological and non-psychological impacts on women. Among the proposed strategies for its treatment, herbal medications are of importance due to favorable effect profiles. Objectives: We planned a study to compare the effects of Celery and Anise combination (CAC) with metformin (met.) on oligomenorrhea in PCOS patients. Methods: We conducted a triple-blind clinical trial, and 72 patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups and received six capsules of either CAC (750 mg each) or met. (250 mg each) in 3 divided doses for 15 days beginning with the follicular phase. If the bleeding occurred, three capsules of either placebo or met. would be administered daily during menstruation phase, and then the follicular phase step with six capsules would be repeated. If the bleeding did not occur, three capsules of either placebo or met. would be administered each day for 15 days. The regularity of menstrual bleeding as the primary outcome, as well as testosterone, luteinizing hormone/follicular stimulating hormone ratio (LH/FSH), and complications were assessed before and after three cycles. Results: The mean age ± standard deviation of all patients was 26.5±6.1. Also, mean Body Mass Index was 26.4±3.5. CAC significantly improved oligomenorrhea (58.3% vs 25%, p<0.01), increased bleeding episodes (p=0.003) and reduced testosterone (mean difference 0.16 vs -0.02, p=0.005) and LH/FSH (mean difference 0.75 vs -0.08, p=0.002) without any major side effects compared to the met. group. Conclusions: we showed that CAC can regulate menstrual cycles and improve oligomenorrhea in PCOS patients superiorly to met.