How Mindfulness and Meditation Support Women with PCOS and Infertility: An Integrative Review
1Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, (ASCOMS) Jammu. India
2Former Professor Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Govt. Medical College Kathua (JK). India
3Post Graduate Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Govt. Medical College Jammu. India
4Clinical Embryologist Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology D & T OT 2nd floor AIIMS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. India
5Scientist C DIAMOnDS Govt. Medical College Jammu. India
*Corresponding author
Abstract:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders, distressing 8–13% of females worldwide in their reproductive phase (WHO, 2023). It is a significant cause of anovulatory infertility, with 70–80% of affected women having trouble getting pregnant. In addition to reproductive dysfunction, PCOS is closely associated with metabolic disorders, obesity, and increased psychological burden, with reported cases of anxiety at 43%, and depression at 34% respectively, considerably greater than in infertile populations without PCOS. Metabolic therapy, pharmacological ovulation induction, and lifestyle modification are the basis of conventional management. However, "lifestyle management remains the first-line intervention in PCOS, yet adherence over the long term is exceptionally low, which requires supportive behavioural strategies," according to the ESHRE 2023 guideline. As alternative therapies for PCOS, mindfulness and meditation techniques from both Eastern and Western traditions are being researched more and more. According to a scoping review of fourteen clinical trials, "a reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression was the most consistent benefit of meditation and mindfulness interventions, observed across eleven of the fourteen included studies." Psychological distress independently indicator of lower conception rates in females getting infertility treatment. In PCOS, acting with awareness has been revealed to associate negatively with depression and emotional eating, with depression partially mediating this link. These results suggest that awareness may enhance psychological well-being, metabolic control, support healthier eating, and possibly benefit fertility. However, reproductive outcomes such as ovulation, pregnancy, and live birth remain imperfectly evaluated. This review summarizes current evidence and highlights key gaps requiring further study.
Keywords:
Polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS, mindfulness, meditation, infertility, emotional eating, depression, lifestyle
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How to cite this article:
Abhijay Mehta, Anil Mehta, Sudhaa Sharma, Gresh Chander and Sonali Verma. 2026. How Mindfulness and Meditation Support Women with PCOS and Infertility: An Integrative Review.
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci.
15(10): 88-94
doi:
https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2026.1510.009
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