Seed Cycling and Hormonal Balance: A Case Study of Successful Fertility Intervention in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2025 May;17(Suppl 1):S1030-S1033. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_164_25. Epub 2025 Apr 12.

Abstract

This case study discusses the treatment of primary infertility in a 29-year-old female with a case of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) who presented to the Infertility Clinic at Wardha, Maharashtra, with a 2-year history of failed conception. The female patient complains about irregular menstrual cycles, mild acne, hair thinning weight gain, and hormonal imbalances characterized by high luteinizing hormone (LH), low levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and a raised LH: FSH ratio. Following the initial evaluations, they were put on a comprehensive fertility treatment plan that incorporated Myo-inositol and folic acid supplementation, and seed cycling as a dietary intervention. The seed cycling protocol involved the consumption of ground flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds during the follicular phase and sunflower and sesame seeds during the luteal phase to balance estrogen and progesterone, respectively. After 6 months, the patient experienced notable improvements such as regular menstrual cycles, a reduction in body mass index ranges from 29 to 24 kg/m², normalized hormone levels, and the male partner's semen analysis representing results within normal limits. The couple moved forward with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, which led to the development of high-quality embryos and a confirmed clinical pregnancy outcome. This case highlights the effectiveness of integrating pharmacological treatment with seed cycling to improve fertility outcomes in patients with PCOS.

Keywords: Dietary therapy; PCOS; endocrine disorder; lifestyle modifications; nonpharmacological treatment; primary infertility; seed cycling.

Publication types

  • Case Reports