Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine ailment which occurs during a woman’s premenopausal years. PCOS can affect five to ten percent of women who are of reproductive age. A woman with PCOS can seek individualized options for managing this condition.  I recommend working with a health care professional.

Personal Story

I don’t have PCOS, nor do personally know anyone who does. In my herbalist/family health educator training, I studied case studies and researched the condition. Doing these studies helped me understand the concerns a woman with PCOS may face.

Symptoms and Risks

PCOS symptoms include:

• hirsutism (excessive hairiness)
• menstrual abnormalities
• acne
• infertility

The risks of unmanaged PCOS are:

• type 2 diabetes
• miscarriage
• infertility
• endometrial cancer
• cardiovascular problems such as coronary artery disease
• central or truncal obesity, but that is not always the case
• obesity is not a cause of PCOS, but might aggravate it

Goals

PCOS needs may approached by setting four goals: establishing regular menstrual cycles, improving insulin resistance through diet changes and regular exercise, reducing and treating excess androgen levels, and improving ovulation and fertility. PCOS might be an autoimmune condition . A woman may also want to evaluate her thyroid function.

Integrative PCOS treatment seeks to:

• manage hypertension
• reduce insulin resistance
• lower central visceral obesity
• relieve acne
• lesson hirsutism

Dietary Recommendations

According to research, women with PCOS can have inflammation caused by eating foods that trigger an inflammatory response. The white blood cells make substances to fight against it and that  can lead to insulin resistance.

• An anti-inflammatory diet is beneficial.
• Moderate amounts of caffeine may lower insulin sensitivity. Drinking three cups of coffee or six cups of green tea per day has been shown to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Nutritional and Herbal Supplement Recommendations

• There is some evidence that chromium may enhance glucose metabolism.
• Magnesium helps with normal glycemic control.
• Cinnamon is another insulin-sensitizing agent.

Physical Recommendations

• Increase physical activity and flexibility. Daily exercise could start by working up to walking twenty minutes a day at a brisk pace. Eventually, one would benefit from adding strength training. After that, endurance training could be added for added benefit.
• A three to six-month weight loss program for obese women could be considered in conjunction to or before turning to insulin sensitizers.
• Mind-body therapies help to lessen stress hormones and improve body image anxieties. Therapies could include aromatherapy, massage, or yoga.
• Acupuncture, specifically electroacupuncture, has helped some women to achieve regular ovulation according to a small study.

Infertility

Infertility might be the biggest disappointment for a woman with PCOS. Weight loss therapy has been statistically shown to improve the condition, even if weight changed only 5%. Weight loss alone has led to a 60% achievement of pregnancy.

Working with a health care professional to learn the options of PCOS treatment can lead to relief of symptoms and an improved sense of well-being.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Please encourage others by writing about your experience with PCOS in the comment section above.