Healing PCOS: Insights into alternative medicine from South Africa

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Spannende Einblicke in die PCOS-Behandlung durch alternative Medizin in Südafrika! #PCOS #AlternativeMedizin
Exciting insights into the PCOS treatment through alternative medicine in South Africa! #PCOS #Alternative medicine (Symbolbild/natur.wiki)

The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complicated disease that affects women of childbearing age and can bring a variety of health problems such as infertility, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Conventional medicine offers various treatment options, but more and more patients and treating people turn to complementary and alternative medicine methods (cam), which include homeopathy, Ayurveda, Unani Tibb, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and naturopathic processes. These forms of treatment are based on holistic approaches that look at people as a whole and not only treat isolated symptoms.

The latest research from April 2024 takes a close look at these cam practices. The aim of researching and documenting the various approaches and treatment practices that are used in the diagnosis and treatment of PCOs in alternative medicine. A special feature of this study is the diversity of the examined cam disciplines and their respective philosophical background.

In this study, which was carried out in the Ethekwini community in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, CAM practitioners were asked by means of semi-structured interviews. The analysis of these conversations revealed four main topics: Cam-philosophical perspectives on PCOS, contributors, diagnosis and management of PCOS. In the management of PCOS in particular, there were various approaches such as the miasmatic/constitutional, the keynote and clinical prescription in homeopathy, in addition to supporting therapies and life-hail intervention.

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

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

Explanation of the terms and abbreviations:

  • PCOS - polycystic ovarian syndrome: a hormonal disorder that affects women of childbearing age.
  • cam - complementary and alternative medicine: a wide range of medical practices that are outside of traditional or conventional Western medicine.
  • homeopathy: a cam practice based on the principle that similar things can be healed with the like, and used very diluted substances.
  • ayurveda: a traditional Indian medicine that looks at the body, mind and spirit as a whole and promotes the balance between these elements.
  • unani tibb: a traditional medicine that has their roots in the Greek and Arab cultures and is based on the humor theories of Hippocrates and Galen.
  • TCM - traditional Chinese medicine: a millennium -old medical system from China that includes meridian theories, acupuncture and herbalology.
  • naturopathic procedure: CAM methods that are mainly based on natural elements and healing methods such as herbs, nutrition and physical therapy.

comprehensive representation of the PCOS management practices in complementary and alternative medicine

The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) represents a significant clinical challenge that affects 4-20% of women of childbearing age. In view of the complexity of this disease and its far-reaching consequences for the health of women, including infertility, diabetes mellitus and heart disease, the integration of complementary and alternative medical approaches (CAM) into PCOS treatment has increasingly gained in importance.

study goals and methodology

The primary goal of the study was to explore and document and document the existing therapeutic practices for diagnosing and treating PCOs within various cam disciplines-including homeopathy, Ayurveda, Unani Tibb, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and naturopathy. For this purpose, data was collected using semi-structured interviews by CAM practitioners in the Ethekwini metropolis, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, and evaluated using the qualitative analysis methods according to Tesch and CRESWELL.

main results

The analysis of the data resulted in four main topics:

  • cam-philosophical perspectives on PCOS,
  • contributors,
  • Diagnosis of PCOS,
  • Management of PCOS.

In addition, five sub -topics were identified:

  • Clinical diagnosis of PCOS,
  • CAM-specific characterization of PCOS,
  • CAM-specific treatment of PCOS,
  • accompanying therapies
  • livelihood.

Several prescription methods were used in particular in homeopathic management, with miasmatic/constitutional, key to and clinical methods, in addition to accompanying therapies and lifestyle events than were most used. Other cam modalities pursued similar holistic approaches.

conclusions

The present study offers a comprehensive consideration of the perceptions, clinical examinations and management practices in relation to PCOS from homeopaths and practitioners in four other cam modalities-Ayurveda, Unani Tibb, TCM and naturopathy. It became clear that homeopaths and other CAM-practiced CAM-specific therapies apply in addition to accompanying therapies and lifestyle events, with holistic approaches being pursued. The improvement of the quality of life through emotional advice, stress reduction and lifestyle improvements was a common goal across the modalities. Our findings underline the need to further research interdisciplinary cooperation in PCOS management practice under registered CAM-practiced expand.

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