PCOS

The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder that affects between 10-15% of women during their reproductive age. Its prevalence is 6.5% to 8%, using biochemical and/or clinical evidence, and ultrasound-based studies have reported a prevalence of 20% or more. Anovulation is hallmark of PCOS which is the leading cause of infertility in this syndrome with a prevalence of 68%. PCOS is a heterogeneous disorder. It was originally described by Stein and Leventhal in 1935 as a clinical triad of hyperandrogenism, anovulation and obesity in women with enlarged polycystic ovaries. Women with PCOS are at increased risk of reproductive problems including infertility, endometrial cancer, late menopause and also metabolic aberrations including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. In Unani System of medicine, the disease has not been defined under the term of PCOS; as disease has been categorized recently just a century before. The description of the disease has been described vividly by various Unani physicians under the headings of ehtebase tams and uqr According to Hippocrates the main cause of the disease is impairment of humors (Akhlat).  PCOS cater to different symptoms, effective treatment to manage PCOS is a challenge.The best known treatment of PCOS at present is by using allopathic medicines such as clomiphene citrate, metformin, tamoxifene and troglitazone. All these drugs have mild to severe side effects including hot flushes, arthritis, joint or muscle pain and psychological side effects such as irritability, mood swings, depression and bloating. So there is a need for developing a regimen to offer cheap and best treatment for this disease.Unani system of medicine is the oldest system that prevails till dates with its effective remedies derived from plants, animals and mineral sources. There are various single and compound drugs to cure different disorders of the human body. The causes of infertility in female due to obesity and PCOS as described by modern medicine are very much similar to the causes and features of uqr in  Unani medicine, but the cellular and hormonal concept in relation to this disorder is recent. The drugs which correct ehtebase tams, uqr and sue mizaj barid are generally found to be useful   in PCOS, but their efficacy has not been validated scientifically