Investigating the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome, personality type, and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern in infertile women: a case-control study

Reproduction is fundamental to population growth and the social and economic well-being of societies. Hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which result from hormonal imbalances, may disrupt ovulation and lead to infertility. Various factors, including genetics, mental health, insulin resistance, and nutrition, contribute to the development of this syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the associations among polycystic ovary syndrome, personality type, and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern in infertile women. In this descriptive analytical case-control study, 180 non-pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years with a history of infertility were evaluated, including 90 women with PCOS and 90 infertile women without PCOS. Demographic information was collected using a general characteristics questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was quantified by calculating a Mediterranean Diet Score derived from FFQ data, while personality type was evaluated using the NEO-FFI questionnaire. The relationship between PCOS, personality type, and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern was analyzed using SPSS version 23, with a significance level set at 0.05. Regarding personality type, no statistically significant differences were observed between the case and control groups in the variables of conscientiousness ( p = 0.87), Eagerness for new experiences ( p = 0.26), extraversion/introversion ( p = 0.14), agreeableness ( p = 0.44), and neuroticism ( p = 0.81). Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of personality type or Mediterranean diet adherence scores. Furthermore, no statistically significant relationship was found between adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and the presence of PCOS ( p = 0.87). The findings of this study did not demonstrate statistically significant associations among polycystic ovary syndrome, personality traits, and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern among the infertile women. However, because BMI, physical activity, insulin resistance, and other major metabolic and lifestyle variables were not assessed, the absence of an observed association between Mediterranean diet adherence and PCOS should be interpreted with caution and should not be regarded as evidence of an association independent of these potential confounders. Future investigations employing longitudinal designs, mediation analysis, or structural equation modeling are warranted to better elucidate these complex interrelationships.