PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) - Facts and Myths

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) - Facts and Myths

Statistics say that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-10% of women of childbearing age. Personally, I think the numbers should be much higher. I think current diets and lifestyles are making the disease more common. Higher than normal blood sugar levels each month interfere with normal egg development. These misdeveloped eggs can remain on the ovary as a cyst. Since ovulation is either delayed or does not occur at all, the hormone progesterone is either reduced or absent in this cycle, leading to many symptoms of PCOS. A deficiency of progesterone results in a relative imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, so that estrogen activity is not properly balanced by progesterone. This is called estrogen dominance. The two hormones typically have equal and opposite functions: estrogen causes proliferation of the lining of the uterus, while progesterone helps maintain the lining of the uterus. Estrogen causes proliferation of breast tissue, while progesterone keeps it healthy -depressant properties. Progesterone reduces smooth muscle spasms, normalizes coagulation and vascular strength, supports thyroid function and bone formation, and prevents endometrial cancer. PCOS women have more circulating, active testosterone, which causes problems such as anovulation, infertility, acne, excessive body and facial hair growth, and scalp hair loss. Regulating dietary starch and sugar intake can significantly improve symptoms of PCOS, including infertility, hair loss, weight gain, lack of regular periods, lack of ovulation, and facial hair growth. PCOS is not an infertility condition and can be treated naturally through diet, exercise and supplements.

Due to the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS (high insulin, high androgens, low progesterone, and imbalanced estrogen to progesterone ratio), women may experience the following symptoms:

· High levels of male hormones, androgens

· An irregular or no menstrual cycle

· Many small cysts may or may not be present in the ovaries

· Infertility or inability to become pregnant or maintain a pregnancy

· Acne, oily skin or dandruff

· Pain in the pelvic area

· Weight gain

· Lack of ovulation

· Periods of severe pain

Naturopathic treatment for PCOS focuses on:

· Regulation of blood sugar and insulin levels

· Reducing excess male hormones and hormonal activity, thereby improving acne, oily skin, excessive hair growth and hair loss

· Improve progesterone production

· Ensuring regular ovulation and menstruation and improving fertility

· Weight loss and regular exercise

Because most women are poorly educated about menstruation and fertility, many will make false assumptions about menstruation, fertility and PCOS for this reason:

Myth #1: I don't plan on having children, so it doesn't matter if I don't ovulate

Truth: It doesn't matter whether you want to have children or not. If you don't ovulate every month, your body is deprived of the vital hormone progesterone, meaning you may be more susceptible to estrogen dominance conditions like fibroids. Breast cancer and endometriosis.

Myth #2: I get a regular period, so I must be ovulating

Truth: Regular periods do not mean you are ovulating. It just means that estrogen production waxes and wanes every month to signal the development of the uterine lining and subsequent release. Regular ovulation is crucial for healthy hormonal balance, regardless of parenting plans.

Myth #3: The ultrasound showed no cysts on my ovaries, so I can't have PCOS

Truth: The name is misleading. People with polycystic ovary syndrome do not have to have cysts on their ovaries. The body breaks down and dissolves cysts periodically, allowing cysts to come and go. The syndrome is diagnosed based on a range of symptoms which may include some (but not all) of the following: scalp hair loss, excessive facial/body hair, weight gain, insulin resistance, poor glucose tolerance, irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation, infertility, acne and oily skin.

Myth #4: The blood tests came back normal, so there's nothing wrong hormonally

Truth: Hormone blood tests are notoriously poor predictors of health or disease. Reference ranges are incredibly wide (e.g. for and are established based on an average of values ​​measured in the general population. Reference ranges for hormones should be established through health examinations of the individuals used to establish the range for reproductive disorders such as fibroids, breast cancer, endometriosis, PCOS, irregular menstruation, heavy menstruation, painful periods, Infertility, anovulation, etc. Select only those who have perfectly regular periods, who ovulate in the middle of the cycle every month, and who have no signs of fibroids or endometriosis, problems with the reproductive organs, etc. Then use these people to establish a healthy range.

Myth #5: If I have endometriosis, PCOS, or fibroids, I can't have children or I can only have children if I undergo aggressive fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Truth: You can have children with any of these conditions, they don't automatically spell infertility. Depending on the severity of the condition, the best course of action may be either combining conventional therapies such as medication and surgery with naturopathic treatment or naturopathic treatment alone to resolve the problem.

Myth #6: If there was something that could help with my problem, my specialist would know about it

Truth: Unfortunately not. Most doctors have enough on their plate to keep up with the latest medications and surgical options and see a plethora of patients every day. They have neither the time nor the interest to investigate naturopathic treatments for illnesses.

Myth #7: There is no research to support naturopathic therapies

Truth: There is a lot of research to support acupuncture, herbal medicine, vitamins and supplements. There was a time just 10 years ago when research was sparse. Public interest in more natural therapies has sparked interest in exploring remedies that have been proven effective for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.