Cinnamon cure for infertility?

Posted on October 24, 2013

-Posted by Pillscribe

It may sound far-fetched. But cinnamon could prove to be an effective arsenal against infertility in women. A daily dose of this humble spice help tide over polycystic ovary syndrome — one of the most common causes of irregular menstrual cycles. 

An estimated 5 percent to 10 percent of women of childbearing age have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) worldwide. In India, it is a widely prevalent condition leading to female infertility.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome who took the inexpensive cinnamon supplements experienced nearly twice the menstrual cycles over a six-month period, researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York City found.

“Women, who received 1,500 mg of cinnamon, had significant improvement in menstrual cycle regularity, having an average of nearly four menstrual periods over six months compared to an average of 2.2 periods among the placebo group. Some women in the study group also reported spontaneous pregnancies after three months of cinnamon treatment. This could mean that they became pregnant without medical assistance,’’ according to Dr. Daniel Kort, who led the study.

But the researchers are not yet clear how exactly cinnamon works to regulate menstrual cycles in those with PCOS. They consider that the cinnamon may improve the body’s ability to process glucose and insulin. PCOS is thought to be caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin.

Studies, earlier, among diabetic patients have found the spice can reduce insulin resistance.

The small study, however, doesn’t give free chit to anyone with PCOS go and try it at home. “It’s unlikely to be the sole source of improvement or to change entire (treatment) protocols,” Dr Kort said.

“It’s not going to regulate every patient who takes it, but a good percentage who take it may experience some benefit, and the side effects are low. It’s relatively cheap and well tolerated,” he added.