It is estimated that 5-10% of women that are of childbearing age have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). At least 30% may have some of the symptoms of PCOS. The disease is caused by the frequent presence of cysts on the ovaries, and severely effects hormone balance in a woman. The disease is considered genetic, but is exacerbated by lifestyle choices and nutrition. Symptoms include excess and/or male patterns of hair growth, skin problems, irregular or missed periods, heavy periods, fertility issues, insulin resistance, and weight problems.
To treat the symptoms of PCOS, doctors sometimes prescribe birth control pills to help balance hormones. Many women living with PCOS have a difficult time conceiving, so birth control may not always be an option. More recently, Metformin has been used to treat the insulin resistance that often occurs with the syndrome. Metformin is a diabetic drug, but it also shows signs of reducing the imbalance of male hormones that women with PCOS experience. The drug has had the pleasant side effect of reducing hair growth, but has also been known to cause diarrhea, nausea, and headaches. A doctor may also create a hormone therapy program to normalize the functions of the female body.
Because diet and lifestyle play such a major role in the severity of PCOS symptoms, changes to these things can help women to cope with their disorder. Alternative therapies have become popular within the PCOS community because of the number of medications that are often needed to deal with each component of the disorder. Women may find that by treating their fertility problems, a new crop of issues arises. Or if someone is looking to conceive, certain treatments such as birth control pills, are not even an option.
So what can someone do to avoid as many drugs as possible and treat PCOS naturally? A number of options exist. For starters, it is important to focus on diet and exercise. A consistent exercise program will help fight weight gain which is often a major problem for those with PCOS. Evidence has also shown that in addition to helping with insulin resistance, exercise may boost reproductive functions, helping with the challenge of conceiving faced by many in the PCOS community. As with all diets that seek to eliminate obesity, women should design a high-protein, low-carb diet, avoiding white flower and sugar. It may also be helpful to become familiar with body mass index, and determine what the normal range is for you.
Women with PCOS may also find that their medications, or the disease itself, effects their digestive system. In order to balance their gut function, they should consume foods that are high in soluble fiber such as rice, potatoes, bananas, and oatmeal. Eating a sensible diet is always important, but becomes more so with diseases that effect reproductive health.
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A variety of herbal remedies also exists for treating polycystic ovarian syndrome. The best place to start is by speaking to a naturopath that can help you design an individualized treatment plan. They may begin your program with a cleanse to eliminate toxins from your body and start fresh. Herbal treatments can then be used to treat infertility, and lessen hair growth and acne. The herbs help to balance the hormones that contribute to these issues. The naturopath will develop a treatment plan for you that determines the best way in which to use the best-suited herbs.
Because long-term stress has been shown to have an effect on the endocrine system, it is important that those in the PCOS community deal effectively with their stress levels. Natural ways to do so include meditation, hypnotherapy, and exercise. It is important that women find what works best for them in lowering stress levels. A hobby that brings one person great joy and relaxation may result in frustration for someone else. Stress is very personal, and each person needs to work their way through it to the appropriate solution.
Essential oils can also be helpful in treating the pain that may be associated with PCOS. The cysts that form on the ovaries may bleed or become twisted. Anytime you experience unfamiliar pain with PCOS, it is very important to speak to your doctor. Cramping and bloating may be normal, and can be treated with an oil rub that includes clary-sage, fennel, geranium, and rose, mixed with a base oil. This mixture can be rubbed gently on the abdomen once per day to reduce the effects of cramping. Women may also find herbal recipes that are useful for other disorders and conditions helpful in treating PCOS symptoms. Peppermint or spearmint tea, taken during certain times of a woman's cycle, have been shown to reduce male pattern hair growth by balancing the hormones that effect the condition. You can speak with your naturopath or doctor concerning any recipes found in your research.
Additional natural therapies, while offering no cure for PCOS, may help to make a woman more comfortable while coping with her disorder. Massage therapy often helps with cramping and bloating. Since women with PCOS may experience difficulty not feeling feminine, touch therapies such as this may offer comfort. They may also find that certain essential oils that are pleasing to their palette, mixed with a base oil, and dabbed on like perfume, may comfort them. Because PCOS is a disease that effects hormone function, regular perfumes may fade or sour, but essential oils balance mood and have a long-lasting fragrance.
While there is no medical cure for PCOS, there are number of things women can do in addition to, or even instead of, taking traditional medication. Lifestyle and nutrition changes are the greatest factors in reducing the effects of the disorder. As always, speak with your doctor about any remedies you wish to sample, but know that comfort and healing may come from a variety of sources.
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