Healing PCOS: Insights into Alternative Medicine from South Africa

Healing PCOS: Insights into Alternative Medicine from South Africa

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complicated disease that affects women of childbearing age and can cause a variety of health problems such as infertility, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Conventional medicine offers various treatment options, but more and more patients and practitioners are turning to complementary and alternative medicine methods (CAM), which include homeopathy, Ayurveda, Unani Tibb, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and naturopathy. These forms of treatment are based on holistic approaches that look at the person as a whole and do not just treat isolated symptoms.

The most recent research from April 2024 takes a close look at these CAM practices. It aims to research and document the different approaches and treatment practices used in the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in alternative medicine. A special feature of this study is the diversity of the CAM disciplines examined and their respective philosophical backgrounds.

In this study, conducted in the eThekwini community in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, CAM practitioners were surveyed using semi-structured interviews. Analysis of these conversations revealed four main themes: CAM philosophical perspectives on PCOS, contributing factors, diagnosis and management of PCOS. In particular, in the management of PCOS, various approaches such as miasmatic/constitutional, keynote and clinical prescription in homeopathy, in addition to supportive therapies and lifestyle interventions, have emerged.

All CAM modalities examined had in common the holistic approach, which also included emotional coaching, stress reduction and lifestyle improvement. These strategies aim to improve the quality of life of PCOS patients.

The results of this study suggest that interdisciplinary collaboration between registered CAM practitioners could enable more comprehensive treatment of PCOS patients. This approach could help expand the spectrum of care for PCOS patients and significantly improve their quality of life.

Explanation of terms and abbreviations:

• PCOS – Polyzystisches Ovariensyndrom: Eine hormonelle Störung, die Frauen im gebärfähigen Alter betrifft.
• CAM – Komplementäre und alternative Medizin: Ein breites Spektrum an medizinischen Praktiken, die außerhalb der traditionellen oder konventionellen westlichen Medizin liegen.
• Homöopathie: Eine CAM-Praxis, die auf dem Prinzip basiert, dass ähnliches mit Ähnlichem geheilt werden kann, und stark verdünnte Substanzen verwendet.
• Ayurveda: Eine traditionelle indische Medizin, die den Körper, Geist und Spirit als Ganzes betrachtet und das Gleichgewicht zwischen diesen Elementen fördert.
• Unani Tibb: Eine traditionelle Medizin, die ihre Wurzeln in den griechischen und arabischen Kulturen hat und auf den Humor-Theorien von Hippokrates und Galen basiert.
• TCM – Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin: Ein jahrtausendealtes medizinisches System aus China, das Meridiantheorien, Akupunktur und Kräuterkunde umfasst.
• Naturheilverfahren: CAM-Methoden, die hauptsächlich auf natürlichen Elementen und Heilmethoden wie Kräutern, Ernährung und physikalischer Therapie basieren.

Comprehensive presentation of PCOS management practices in complementary and alternative medicine

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents a significant clinical challenge affecting 4-20% of women of reproductive age. Given the complexity of this disease and its far-reaching consequences for women's health, including infertility, diabetes mellitus and heart disease, the integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches into PCOS treatment has become increasingly important.

Study objectives and methodology

The primary aim of the study was to explore and document the existing therapeutic practices for the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS within various CAM disciplines - including homeopathy, Ayurveda, Unani Tibb, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and naturopathy. For this purpose, data were collected using semi-structured interviews from CAM practitioners in the eThekwini metropolis, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, and evaluated using the qualitative analysis methods according to Tesch and Creswell.

Main results

Analysis of the data revealed four main themes:

• CAM-philosophische Perspektiven auf PCOS,
• beitragende Faktoren,
• Diagnose von PCOS,
• Management von PCOS.

Additionally, five sub-themes were identified:

• klinische Diagnose von PCOS,
• CAM-spezifische Charakterisierung von PCOS,
• CAM-spezifische Behandlung von PCOS,
• begleitende Therapien
• Lebensstilinterventionen.

In homeopathic management in particular, multiple prescribing methods have been used, with miasmatic/constitutional, keynote and clinical methods highlighted as the most commonly used, alongside adjunctive therapies and lifestyle interventions. Other CAM modalities took similar holistic approaches.

Conclusions

The present study provides a comprehensive review of the perceptions, clinical investigations and management practices related to PCOS by homeopaths and practitioners in four other CAM modalities - Ayurveda, Unani Tibb, TCM and Naturopathy. It has become clear that homeopaths and other CAM practitioners are using CAM-specific therapies alongside adjunctive therapies and lifestyle interventions, taking holistic approaches. Improving quality of life through emotional counseling, stress reduction, and lifestyle improvements represented a common goal across modalities. Our findings highlight the need to further explore interdisciplinary collaboration in PCOS management practice among registered CAM practitioners, with the potential to expand the spectrum of comprehensive care for PCOS patients.

The full study is available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38636545.