Efficacy of Ferrum metallicum 30C in restoring menstrual cycle in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients – A randomised, placebo-controlled, single-blind trial

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, with the prevalent clinical symptom of irregular menstruation. Objective: This trial assessed the efficacy of Ferr. met. 30C in restoring the menstrual cycle among PCOS patients. Methods: A randomised, placebo-controlled, single-blind trial was conducted at outpatient departments of Sri Sai Ram Homoeopathy Medical College and Research Centre, Chennai. Patients were randomly allotted to the experimental (Group I - Ferr. met. 30C) and control (Group II - Placebo) groups. Quality of life of patients in both groups was assessed through PCOS Questionnaire scale at baseline and at 6th month. Results: Sixty-five patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to Group I (n = 33) and Group II (n = 32). The menstrual cycle got regularised in 48% of Group I patients and 29% of Group II. Data were also compared to see the menstrual restoration period in both the groups. About 48% of participants in group I and 29% in group II had their menses restored after homoeopathic intervention and the difference between the groups was found to be 1.81 (p < 0.05). Improvement in menstrual cycle before and after intervention for patients in both groups showed a significant difference after the intervention (higher in Group I than Group II), confirming the efficacy of intervention in the experimental group: p < 0.05. Conclusion: This trial suggests that Ferr. met. 30C could be effective in restoring the menstrual cycle in PCOS patients. Rigorous trials and independent replications are warranted.