PCOS is the most common endocrine condition in women that can begin as early as puberty or develop during teen to early adulthood and new studies have shown that it AFFECTS 1 in 5 women.
What does PCOS stand for?
PCOS represents POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME and it can be defined as a disorder of ovulation while impacting almost ALL aspects of the ENDOCRINE system. The most distinctive sign of PCOS are changes in the OVARIES (which are larger than average and may contain multiple small cysts).
What are the key symptoms for PCOS ?
Some PCOS sufferers can experience all of the symptoms and some may experience only a few.
These can include; irregular periods, pelvic pain, headaches, Small Cysts on the Ovaries, SEVERE ACNE, insulin resistance, INFERTILITY, weight gain, EXCESS facial/ body hair, IRREGULAR periods, anxiety & depression, INCREASED androgens and sleep problems.
These can include; irregular periods, pelvic pain, headaches, Small Cysts on the Ovaries, SEVERE ACNE, insulin resistance, INFERTILITY, weight gain, EXCESS facial/ body hair, IRREGULAR periods, anxiety & depression, INCREASED androgens and sleep problems.
How is PCOS may be diagnosed?
Sadly diagnosis is often missed as often they may be attributed to other health conditions. Testing typically includes: BLOODWORK to evaluate hormones and ULTRA SOUND (keep in mind not all with PCOS will have cysts).
Medical Therapies:
Your doctor depending on your symptoms and health status (like diabetes to heart disease which can be a side effect of unmanaged PCOS), if you are wanting to get pregnant , help with skin to other issues will create a specific plan for you that could include medications to hormonal treatments. This is where you would also talk to your Dr. about incorporating alt. support therapies like Acupuncture and herbal medicines for additional support on your healing journey.
DIETARY THERAPY & Lifestyle for PCOS
- Keeping a healthy weight: fat cells store estrogen, and usually with this condition there is too much ESTROGEN and LH circulating.
- Cut out all forms of REFINED SUGAR & refined CARBOHYDRATES & any type of sugary drink that can raise blood sugar (some fruit juices too): this is the best natural management for insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism
- Eat only complex whole grains such as BUCKWHEAT, BARLEY & SPELT
- Consume as many fresh veggies & ROOT VEGGIES
- AVOID DAIRY: This is super important because it can exacerbate the condition
- Get adequate amounts of exercise
- Eliminate Alcohol and caffeine
- Eat fruit sparingly, berries are great because they aren’t high in sugar: )
- FREE RANGE Poultry (not breast)
- Fish
- Fermented foods, legumes and nuts/seeds
SUPPLEMENTS for PCOS:
- Cinnamon: this warming spice helps to stabilize blood sugar. New Chapter has a good supplement but you can use the powdered form in food or lattes as well
- Magnesium: Most women are deficient in magnesium & this has been proven to be anti inflammatory as well as helping with insulin resistance
- B6: Also found in garlic and grassfed beef, helps to raise progesterone levels which are often low in PCOS
- Selenium: This is essential for DETOXING the liver of excess estrogen as well as boost progesterone.
- Zinc: This mineral assists in balancing testosterone, which are often high in PCOS
- Chromium Picolinate: 500 mcg BID- > This helps to balance blood sugar
- Chlorophyll: Reduces symptoms of hypoglycemia (when cutting out sugars/carbs)
Other vitamins that support insulin resistance:
- B VITAMINS, Magnesium, alpha lipoic acid, & conjugated linoleic acid
- NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine): 600 mg, 2x per day, assisting with insulin imbalance
- Vitamin D: 1000 IU/day
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine for Managing PCOS
Although there is no cure as of yet, through medical intervention, integrated therapies, lifestyle and dietary changes symptoms can be decreased and/or eliminated. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help to improve PCOS symptoms . How, acupuncture and herbal medicine work to help restore the entire autonomic nervous system back to balance. Regular treatments along with lifestyle and dietary changes, assist hormones to NORMALIZE, creating a healthy menses cycle, with regular ovulation. Getting the body back in balance and managing the symptoms can also help and be a great adjunct with medical therapies to help with infertility, and pregnancy concerns caused by PCOS.
Disclaimer: This article is not to diagnose or offer treatment advise. We encourage you as with all medical conditions, you should always seek the advice of your doctor before beginning any acupuncture treatments or herbal therapies for PCOS.
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