An Overview of PCOS:
An individual who suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) typically exhibits a wide range of symptoms that can affect various areas of health – including reproductive, metabolic, and psychological health. In order to determine whether you have PCOS, you should look for three main signs:
- Cysts in your ovaries
- Higher levels of androgen (male hormones) in your blood
- Irregular periods
PCOS affects every woman differently and there is no exact explanation for why it does so. When you notice a pattern in your body’s symptoms, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your physician right away. Some of the common symptoms of PCOS are:
- Irregular periods: As PCOS affects the ovaries and ovulation in your body, you may experience irregular periods. It is possible that your uterine lining will not shed on the predicted cycle date if you fail to ovulate.
- Heavy bleeding: As a result of delayed or no ovulation, the lining of your uterus might have built up, making your later periods heavier than usual.
- Hair growth: Due to excess male hormones in their bodies, a lot of girls and women experience accelerated growth of extra hair on their bodies, especially on their faces, chests, and backs. A condition in which the hair grows excessively is known as hirsutism.
- Acne: Compared with the usual oil secretions on the skin, androgens can make the skin oilier. Due to increased oil secretion, you may see more acne breakouts on your back, chest, and face.
- Gain of weight: As a result of insulin resistance and inflammation, almost 80 percent of women with PCOS become overweight.
- Alopecia: Some women may also experience thinning or hair and gradual hair fall in PCOS because of the androgens. This symptom is known as alopecia.
How to Cure PCOS Permanently:
PCOS is a syndrome that cannot be cured permanently but can be treated. This means your symptoms need to be moderated so that you can prevent long-term complications. Your doctor may prescribe you:
- Insulin-sensitizing drugs
Women with PCOS are often prescribed metformin or pioglitazone by doctors. Many studies have shown that these medicines are beneficial to women with PCOS, and they are the standard of care for diabetes worldwide. In order to maintain steady blood sugar levels, these medicines help your body become more sensitive to insulin. The effects of this process will help you lower your androgen levels and, in the long run, help you improve your ovulation.
- Combination of birth control pills
Oral contraceptives (OCPs) are equipped with hormones such as progestin and estrogen to help regulate your cycles. Furthermore, these OCPs can reduce excessive hair growth and acne in addition to being an accessory to fertility treatment. It is possible, however, that these pills will not be able to restore ovulation.
- Fertility treatments
Clomiphene is typically prescribed for at least six months in order to induce ovulation in women with PCOS. A different set of medications containing gonadotropins may be prescribed if it is not very successful. If the above-mentioned medications fail to work, a few couples resort to in vitro fertilization to increase their chances of getting pregnant.
Different Methods to Cure PCOS at Home:
For PCOS, lifestyle changes are recommended, as well as some herbal remedies. Some of the remedies are mentioned below:
- Flaxseeds
Research has found that flaxseeds contain a compound that helps to decrease androgen levels in the body. As a result, they reduced symptoms of PCOS caused by increased androgen levels, such as abnormal body hair growth. In addition, it has been found that flaxseeds can promote weight loss as well. You can incorporate flaxseeds into your daily diet by adding them to milkshakes, and smoothies, or by directly consuming them.
- Cinnamon
The benefits of cinnamon for women with PCOS include improved insulin receptor function. In addition, researchers found that supplementation of cinnamon in diet can correct irregular menstruation. In the course of preparing tea, you can mix it with water and consume it every day. Alternatively, you can take it in tablet form, which is more concentrated, but you should consult a doctor first.
- Omega 3 Supplements or Fish Oil
The regularity of the menstrual cycle can be restored by taking omega-3 fatty acids supplements. There is, however, no change in weight, bleeding, ovary size, or a number of follicles seen in the ovary. Furthermore, fish oil supplementation decreased waist-hip ratios.
- Chamomile Tea
In animal studies, chamomile tea reduced the symptoms of PCOS. After treating the ovary tissues with chamomile extract, the signs of PCOS were reduced when observed under a microscope. However, more research on humans is needed to confirm this. Chamomile tea or a spoon of chamomile tea with warm water can be used to consume it.
Methods To Improve Fertility & Cure PCOS Naturally:
- Eating mindfully and at small intervals can help you utilize your calories in a uniform manner. Consuming a healthy breakfast is a must. The time of calorie consumption has a huge impact on the glucose, insulin, and testosterone levels in your body. Women with PCOS are likely to notice an improvement in their glucose and insulin levels if they eat a high-calorie breakfast every morning. Also, women who consume light dinners have 50% lower testosterone levels than those who consume heavy dinners. It is therefore recommended that a PCOS patient consumes low-calorie foods in the evening. As opposed to the usual three meals, it is recommended to take five meals a day.
- A balanced diet should include whole grains and vegetables, with fewer simple carbohydrates like white flour, potatoes, and rice.
- Take your Vitamin D supplementation on a daily basis or as advised by your doctor.
- You can practice yoga or Pilates for longer periods of time because they are gentle, low-impact exercises. It is also recommended to swim and do light aerobics. Long-distance running and high-intensity interval training can also improve PCOS symptoms. Make sure you discuss the type of workout that would benefit you with your doctor.
- Stress levels are affected by sleep and cortisol is regulated to keep hormones balanced. Women with PCOS are twice as likely to suffer from sleep disturbances.
How to Improve Female Hormones Naturally in PCOS:
There are several foods that you can incorporate into your diet to reduce the levels of androgens in your body, they are listed below
- Nuts
It’s great to eat nuts of any kind if you have PCOS. Studies have shown that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) found in nuts can help women with PCOS improve their androgen levels and insulin levels.
- Fish
Several studies have shown that omega-3 supplements can reduce androgen levels in women with PCOS. Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish, particularly cold-water fish. Fish such as salmon, tuna, and trout fall into this category.
- Tea
There has been researched showing that drinking tea (hot or iced) may help improve the symptoms of PCOS. A study has shown that spearmint tea can reduce hirsutism and reduce androgen levels in PCOS. Marjoram herb is believed to promote hormonal balance and regulate menstrual cycles. Women who have consumed marjoram tea twice a day for one month were found to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the levels of adrenal androgens.
Conclusion:
PCOS has become an increasingly common condition amongst women of reproductive age. The symptoms can be overwhelming to manage and you might have come across several medications that can target these symptoms too. Since PCOS has multiple ways of presenting itself in different women, there is no fixed standard of care for it. Depending on the severity and degree of symptoms – you can manage these symptoms naturally too.
