PCOS - POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

A natural approach to balancing your hormones….

Natural treatment PCOS

 

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 12-18% of women. It is characterized by a group of symptoms, such as

  • lack of ovulation (anovulation)

  • irregular menstrual cycles, late periods or too many days of bleeding

  • high levels of androgens (like testosterone, androstenedione and DHEAS)

  • excessive facial and body hair (hirsuitism)

  • head hair loss

  • acne - mild to severe

  • weight gain (not always a given with PCOS)

  • increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

5 Factors that drive PCOS

Androgen Excess

Androgens are a fancy word for the male hormones, and the main ones are testosterone, androstenedione and DHEAS. All women produce small amounts of androgens in their ovaries and adrenal glands. Elevated levels of androgens can prevent ovulation and affect the menstrual cycle. Insulin (the blood sugar hormone) has a big role to play in causing high levels of androgens.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin is needed in the body for control of blood sugar, and 'insulin resistance' is thought to be a key part of the development of PCOS. When we eat, insulin is secreted in the body by the pancreas where it helps to move glucose from the food we have eaten into cells to be used as energy or stored as fat. Insulin resistance means that some parts of the body are 'resistant' to insulin, meaning that more insulin than usual is needed to keep blood sugar in the normal range. This means that insulin levels are often high or the body doesn't respond normally to insulin.

Often this is a result of eating too often and eating unhealthy refined, processed foods high in sugar and high GI carbs - think pasta, pizza, cakes, biscuits, potatoes, white rice. This type of food breaks down quickly and causes big spikes in our insulin levels resulting in a big drop in blood sugar. These fluctuations lead to even more intense cravings for more carbohydrates and sugar. Its a never ending viscous cycle where you continually eat more but really never feel satisfied. The insulin resistance means that glucose isn’t being properly delivered into the cells, and those cells are hungry, that leaves you feeling flat, tired, hungry and unsatisfied. This in turn can affect the function of the ovaries, including hormone and egg production.

Insulin is also the fat storage hormone and it becomes more difficult to lose weight (often around the belly, think muffin top). This excess weight results in more adipose tissue (fat) which becomes its very on oestrogen producing factory. This excess fat causes your body to secrete even more testosterone and oestrogen. This has a knock on effect with your pituitary gland and reduces the amount of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) being secreted. Not enough FSH and you produce immature follicles and wont ovulate. Often the ratio between FSH and LH (Lutenizing Hormone) are out of whack and can be useful in the diagnosis of PCOS.

Gut Health

Your gut microbiome is a fancy name for the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that reside in your gut. Trillions of microorganisms can be found in the gut, urogenital tract, vagina, nose, throat, and skin. These organisms are not necessarily all good or bad, however they need to be kept in balance and we need to have enough numbers of the good sorts of bacteria otherwise pathogens or bad bacteria and yeasts can prevail (causing unwanted symptoms such as SIBO, thrush, bacterial vaginosis, bloating and IBS).

Microbiome diversity plays a significant role in the effectiveness of our immune system, our digestion and recent research has shown that women with PCOS have less good bacteria and more bad bacteria than women without PCOS. What’s not clear yet is whether a PCOS is caused by a disrupted microbiome or whether PCOS contributes to an unbalanced microbiome. It makes sense that if you have compromised gut health then you may be more likely to develop PCOS. Dysbiosis AKA poor gut bacteria can cause insulin resistance, excess androgens, inflammation and even obesity.

Liver Function

Often I see women that have been diagnosed with PCOS that have also been told that they have a fatty liver, you are not alone. NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is really common and occurs as a result of excess triglycerides (fat) stored in the liver which causes inflammation and damage to liver cells. Our livers main role is to act as a detoxifying organ and helps filter our blood and safely remove all the toxins that we absorb, apply, consume on a daily basis. It is not meant to store fat and often it is a silent condition, only discovered when we get some bloods run at the GP or through our clinic. 

Emotional Health

Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are common in women with PCOS. Often the symptoms of PCOS: acne, weight, excess hair growth, hair loss, and menstrual irregularities can negatively affect mood, self–confidence and body image.

Anxiety, depression and poor emotional health (low tolerance, irritability, lack of resilience, weepiness, over sensitivity) can make it more difficult to nourish your self, provide and sustain a healthy lifestyle and commit to regular exercise. The first step is awareness and understanding that by managing and improving mental health we can make better choices about our lifestyle and health.

For natural treatment of PCOS read more in my blog: TREATING PCOS NATURALLY