Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Stress Neurohormones in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

To determine the effects of Ramadan fasting on serum levels of stress neurohormones in Iranian women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).This study was a clinical trial and was performed during July 2011(month of Ramadan) in Royan institute, Tehran. A total of 40 women who were aged 20-40 years and known cases of PCOS and had no other medical diseases were included in the study. They were divided into two groups as follows: (i) study group (n=20) who participated in Ramadan fasting and (ii) control group (n=20) who did not participate in fasting. For evaluating Ramadan’s effect on the level of neurohormones serum level of the following variables were evaluated before and after Ramadan: cortisol, adrenaline (A), noradrenalin (NA), beta-endorphin (β-End), insulin, as well as sex hormones including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone.In the study group after Ramadan serum cortisol and nor-adrenaline levels were significantly lower than the initial levels obtained at beginning of Ramadan (p < 0.05) as compared to control group.This study indicates that Ramadan fasting decreases stress neurohormones in women with PCOS.