Cinnamon Effective in Treating a type of Infertility Condition in Women

Cinnamon may help restore regular menstrual cycles for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a common cause for infertility, according to a new study.

The study was conducted by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City and included a small group of women diagnosed with the condition. Their study was presented at a meeting of the International Federation of Fertility Societies and American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Boston, HealthDay reported.

Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about 5 million young women in the U.S. The condition occurs due to imbalances in hormones associated with reproduction.

"There is a lot of interest in homeopathic or natural remedies for this condition," said study author Dr. Daniel Kort, a postdoctoral fellow in reproductive endocrinology at the medical center, HealthDay reported. "This may be something we can do using a totally natural substance that can help a large group of patients."

Women with the condition often have high insulin resistance levels and suffer from diabetes and various heart conditions. The U.S. healthcare spends about $4 billion a year in treating the disorder.

The small study included 16 women of which 11 were given 1,500-milligram cinnamon supplements while 5 got placebo pills. Researchers monitored their health and activity levels. All the participants were asked to complete monthly menstrual calendars.

After about six months, women on cinnamon pills had an average of 4.4 menstrual periods compared with just 2.2 periods in women in the control group. Also, two women in the test group became pregnant without any additional treatment.

Kort isn't sure how cinnamon helps in maintaining menstrual cycles. Previous research has shown that cinnamon can help control glucose levels in people suffering from diabetes.

Hershlag, chief of the Center for Human Reproduction at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., said that the research was interesting.

"Any work that's something nutritional in nature and seems to affect the abnormal physiology of polycystic ovaries is welcome," Hershlag told HealthDay. "If they want to spice up their life and take it, that's fine . . . but I think the best thing to do when you have polycystic ovaries is to be under the control of a physician."