PCOS and some remedies

Question: What can you tell me about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) treatments, specifically natural or alternative treatments?

First, a definition. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects 5-10% of women - the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by infrequent and irregular menstruation or no menstruation, an excess of androgen activity, and/or polycystic ovaries. There are various reasons why an ovary will produce an excess of androgen and this leads to some of the symptoms of this disease like irregular menstruation, infertility, central obesity, hirsutism, acne, etc. A polycystic ovary is one in which the egg follicle does not fully mature to be released and instead forms a cyst.

Diagnosing this disorder is a complicated task. There are various tests that may be done - a sonogram, testosterone screening, a biochemical screen and lipid profile, or a glucose tolerance test. It is important to note that not all women with PCOS will have ovaries that are polycystic, nor do all ovarian cysts mean that women have PCOS. Make sure to ask your doctor a lot of questions about the tests done or that will be done. Make sure you trust your doctor, as per my previous post. You may or may not want a second opinion.

Treatments options: Since this disorder is often linked with insulin imbalance, a low-carbohydrate diet and plenty of exercise is thought to be beneficial. It may also be useful to take an insulin lowering medication. When restoration of ovulation is a concern, a doctor may prescribe Metformin. Oral contraceptives or cyclic progestins may help with certain symptoms and with restoring menstruation. There are also ways to restore fertility through surgery once pregnancy becomes desired.

As far as natural and alternative treatments, diet and exercise seems to be your best bet. A diet in which most of your carbohydrates come from fruit, vegetables and whole grains is important. These help to maintain a steady blood sugar and insulin level. There are a few sites that provide support and information for women with PCOS - here is a good one. To help plan low-carb meals, there is a variety of cookbooks available that came with current Atkins and South Beach trends. Ask your doctor to recommend a nutritionist to talk to who has dealt with patients with PCOS before. Good luck!