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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Jan 23;17(3):405.
doi: 10.3390/nu17030405.

Changes in Hormonal Profile and Body Mass Index in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome After Probiotic Intake: A 12-Week Placebo-Controlled and Randomized Clinical Study

Iwona Szydłowska  1 , Jolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska  1 , Amalia Gorzko  2 , Hubert Pawłowski  3 , Andrzej Starczewski  1 , Małgorzata Szczuko  4   5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Changes in Hormonal Profile and Body Mass Index in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome After Probiotic Intake: A 12-Week Placebo-Controlled and Randomized Clinical Study

Iwona Szydłowska et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Introduction: The beneficial effect of probiotics on the improvement of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as body mass index (BMI), has been demonstrated in various patient groups. We aimed to investigate the effect of a multi-strain probiotic on the hormonal balance of women with PCOS. Ethical approval was obtained from the Bioethical Committee.

Methods: The study was designed as a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. The probiotic SanProbi® Barrier capsules, which contain a unique composition of nine probiotic bacteria strains (Lactobacillus and Biffidobacterium), were used in the study. The mean age of the study participants was a mean of 28.42 ± 5.62 years. A total of 50 women with PCOS, diagnosed based on Rotterdam ESHRE criteria, were included in the study. Among them, 25 women were randomized to a placebo group, and 25 to a probiotic group.

Results: A comparison of changes in individual hormone levels between groups confirmed statistically significant differences for TSH, androstenedione, SHBG, and BMI. In the case of LH, the statistical significance of the difference in delta change in the probiotic group was demonstrated with the use of a one-tailed test.

Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation may serve as an alternative supporting treatment, especially in the phenotype of women with a high FAI index. Probiotic therapy is also effective in reducing BMI in overweight women with PCOS.

Keywords: BMI; PCOS; SHBG; hormones; probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The flowchart of the recruitment, randomization, and allocation in the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Initial and final LH concentration (mIU/mL) in the probiotic and placebo groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Initial and final TSH concentration (μIU/mL) in the probiotic and placebo groups.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Initial and final androstenedione concentration (ng/mL) in the probiotic and placebo groups.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Initial and final SHBG concentration (nmol/l) in the probiotic and placebo groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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