Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) & Polycystic ovary syndrome

Written based on 28 research studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 14..

The claim

Posts online say that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helps with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Where research stands

We found 53 published papers on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and polycystic ovary syndrome. They were published between 1994 and 2026. 23 of them are studies in people. 20 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 9 were studies in animals, and 1 was only in cells in the lab. 8 papers are reviews that sum up other studies. 1 paper was retracted. 2 new studies in people are running or will start soon, say the trial registers.

• 23In people20 with a comparison group
• 9In animals
• 1Only in the lab

What the studies found

We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.

Verdict

Sources

1. Effect of fish oil as an adjunct therapy to metformin on vascular and cardiac health in women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome: protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial.2026 · BMJ Open · Randomised trial
2. Effects of single-dose and co-supplementation of vitamin D and omega-3 on metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An RCT.2023 · Int J Reprod Biomed · Randomised trial
3. Omega-3 Intake Improves Clinical Pregnancy Rate in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Study.2023 · Isr Med Assoc J · Randomised trial
4. A Pilot Trial: Fish Oil and Metformin Effects on ApoB-Remnants and Triglycerides in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.2021 · J Endocr Soc · Randomised trial
5. Omega-3 and vitamin E co-supplementation can improve antioxidant markers in obese/overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome.2020 · Int J Vitam Nutr Res · Randomised trial
6. The Effects of Omega-3 and Vitamin E Co-supplementation on Carotid Intima-media Thickness and Inflammatory Factors in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.2018 · Oman Med J · Randomised trial
7. The influences of vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation on clinical, metabolic and genetic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.2018 · J Affect Disord · Randomised trial
8. The effects of fish oil on gene expression in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.2018 · Eur J Clin Invest · Randomised trial
9. The effects of omega-3 and vitamin E co-supplementation on parameters of mental health and gene expression related to insulin and inflammation in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome.2018 · J Affect Disord · Study in people
10. The Effects of Flaxseed Oil Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Metabolic Status of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.2018 · Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · Study in people
11. Docosahexaenoic Acid and the Gut-Ovarian Axis: A Potential Protective Role Against Environmental Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical-Induced Female Reproductive Toxicity.2026 · Int J Womens Health · Review
12. Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Improving Metabolic Dysfunctions in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.2024 · Nutrients · Review
13. A meta-analysis of effects of vitamin E supplementation alone and in combination with omega-3 or magnesium on polycystic ovary syndrome.2022 · Sci Rep · Review
14. Omega-3 supplementation in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - a review of clinical trials and cohort.2022 · Endocr Regul · Review
15. Efficacy of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on hormones, oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters among polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.2021 · Ann Palliat Med · Review
16. Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.2021 · Ann Palliat Med · Review
17. Effects of metformin and omega-3 fatty acids on neurobehavioural outcomes in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome mice.2026 · Eur J Pharmacol · In animals
18. Astaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids enhance endometrial receptivity in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome.2026 · Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol · In animals
19. Effects of gut microbiota on omega-3-mediated ovary and metabolic benefits in polycystic ovary syndrome mice.2023 · J Ovarian Res · In animals
20. Effect of fish oil and telmisartan on dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats: The role of oxidative stress, transforming growth factor beta-1, and nuclear factor kappa B.2020 · Food Sci Nutr · In animals
21. Impact of different omega-3 fatty acid sources on lipid, hormonal, blood glucose, weight gain and histopathological damages profile in PCOS rat model.2020 · J Transl Med · In animals
22. Evaluation of the efficacy of different sources of omega-3 fatty acids in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) induced rats.2019 · Pak J Pharm Sci · In animals
23. Influence of ω-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid on IGF-1 and COX-2 gene expression in granulosa cells of PCOS women.2015 · Iran J Reprod Med · In the lab
24. Retracted article: The effects of fish oil omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on mental health parameters and metabolic status of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.2024 · J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol · RetractedRetracted
25. Comparison of Serum and Cervical Mucus Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Levels in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Healthy Controls.2025 · J Clin Med · Other paper
26. Statement of Retraction: The effects of fish oil omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on mental health parameters and metabolic status of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.2024 · J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol · Other paper
27. Corrigendum: Associations between omega-3 fatty acids and insulin resistance and body composition in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.2024 · Front Nutr · Other paper
28. Associations between omega-3 fatty acids and insulin resistance and body composition in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.2022 · Front Nutr · Other paper