Non-pharmaceutical interventions targeting psychological health in women with polycystic ovary syndrome:a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with psychological challenges. Non-pharmaceutical interventions may improve psychological well-being in affected women. This systematic review and meta-analysis compares mental health changes between PCOS women receiving non-pharmaceutical interventions and controls. Ten English and Chinese databases were searched up to May 25, 2025. Eligible studies included women aged ≥16 years with clinically diagnosed PCOS, employed non-pharmaceutical interventions with a control group, and reported validated mental health outcomes; pharmacological studies, non-human studies, and grey literature were excluded. Random-effects models were introduced, and sensitivity tests were carried out to determine the source of heterogeneity among studies. Twenty-nine studies, including 2,055 participants (1,065 interventions and 990 controls), met inclusion criteria. The intervention group reported significantly lowered depression (SMD = -2.57; 95% CI -3.36 to -1.77), anxiety (SMD = -2.36; 95% CI -3.23 to -1.48), and increased emotional quality of life (SMD = 2.31; 95% CI 0.81 to 3.81). In summary, non-pharmaceutical interventions show large benefits for mental health in PCOS patients, including improvements in depression, anxiety and emotional quality of life, advocating further research and practice.