Anti-malarial drug may help treat polycystic ovary syndrome,

Herbal extract artemisinin, used in Chinese medicine, appears to stop excess testosterone production

An antimalarial drug used in ancient Chinese medicine could be an effective treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a groundbreaking study suggests.

The herbal extract artemisinin appeared to stop the ovaries producing too much testosterone, and women who took the drug for 12 weeks had more regular periods. The findings from the small trial by a Chinese team have been hailed as a potential breakthrough that could lead to an entirely new approach to treating the condition that affects around one in 10 women.