Research Progress on the Interaction between PCOS and Gut Microbiota Based on the Theory of “Spleen Deficiency and Phlegm-Dampness”

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological disorder characterized by endocrine and metabolic disturbances, highly prevalent among women of reproductive age. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “deficiency of the spleen with phlegm-dampness” is considered one of its core pathological mechanisms. In recent years, the role of gut microbiota as a “bridge” connecting human metabolism and endocrinology has become increasingly prominent in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Based on this, this paper explores the research mechanisms of the interaction between polycystic ovary syndrome and gut microbiota from the theoretical perspective of “spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness” in TCM, aiming to provide references for the clinical treatment of PCOS.