Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Explained + Your Holistic Remedy Guide

 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)  is a metabolic syndrome that affects up to 15% of women. It’s best defined as a group of symptoms related to high androgens and anovulation. Its name is misleading as PCOS is not a syndrome of the ovaries, it’s actually a metabolic disorder and one of the many symptoms can be the formation of follicles on the ovaries (also known as cysts). Read below to find out more about PCOS plus my top holistic remedies to put your PCOS into remission!

hipstergirlblog2.jpg


Common PCOS Symptoms:

  • Annovulatory cycles

  • Polycystic ovaries (not all women with PCOS have polycystic ovaries, and not all women with polycystic ovaries have PCOS. Healthy women have been found to have polycystic ovaries 25% of the time)

  • Insulin resistance

  • Hirsutism (excess hair growth on chin, cheeks, belly or around nipples)

  • Acne

  • Hair loss

  • Weight gain

  • Infertility

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • High Androgens (male hormones such as DHEAS, testosterone, androstenedione) 

Is it really PCOS?

PCOS CAN’T BE DIAGNOSED WITH AN ULTRASOUND.

 There is no ONE test for PCOS because it does not present itself in the same way in all women. Think of PCOS as an umbrella with many symptoms underneath it. These symptoms have been defined according to diagnostic criteria made by the Rotterdam Criteria and the Androgen Excess Society.

 I will share both criteria, but in my opinion, the Rotterdam Criteria has too broad a scope, as a woman can be diagnosed with PCOS without having excess androgens.

Rotterdam Criteria:

 This is a loose set of criteria that states a woman has PCOS if she meets two out of the following three:

1.     Oligo-ovulation (irregular ovulation resulting in anovulatory cycles and irregular periods)

2.     Clinical and or biochemical hyperandrogenism

3.     Polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound

Androgen Excess Society Criteria:

 A woman must have all three of the following criteria to be diagnosed with PCOS.

1.     Oligo-ovulation and/or polycystic ovaries

2.     Clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism (high androgens on a test or symptoms of high androgens)

3.     Exclusion of other conditions that would cause hyperandrogenism (some of which would be high prolactin, some birth control, some medications, hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, rare adrenal or pituitary diseases.

 

WHAT ABOUT TEENS? Polycystic ovaries, irregular cycles, and insulin resistance are all normal and healthy during puberty. These symptoms are only deemed abnormal if they persist after the first few years of cycling.

 

4 Types of PCOS

1.     Insulin Resistance PCOS (70%)

2.     Post-Pill PCOS

3.     Inflammatory PCOS

4.     Adrenal PCOS

 

Common allopathic treatments for PCOS

  • Hormonal Birth Control--creates more insulin resistance and causes nutrient deficiencies. Disrupts the microbiome and can lead to leaky gut, which means more inflammation. Leads to depression and anxiety, which women with PCOS already struggle with. Despite what your doctor says, hormonal birth control will NOT FIX your PCOS. It will just mask the symptoms.

  • Metformin-this is a prescription drug that works by lowering insulin resistance and balancing blood sugar. The con to this is it depletes B vitamins and causes gastrointestinal upset. Most times Metformin is not even necessary because the after balancing blood sugar with the right foods and exercise.

  • Ovarian drilling-- requires surgery and should be a last case resort. Can cause scarring which can compromise fertility but has had success rates in some women with PCOS trying to conceive.

 Holistic remedies for PCOS 

  • Blood sugar balancing diet ----- > Healthy fats, fiber, protein, and low carb. Not NO carbs, just lower carb as we NEED carbs. Omitting added sugar is crucial for blood sugar balance, and many women with PCOS thrive when they omit gluten and dairy from their diet. To learn more about how to eat to support your PCOS, check out my online course, The Period Solution.

  • Healthy weight loss- with diet and lifestyle changes, NOT crash diets. Fat tissue produces estrogen, and estrogen is aromatized into androgens. So if there is too much estrogen, androgen excess can manifest.

  • Exercise-exercise re-sensitizes cells to insulin. Especially leg exercises such as squats and lunges and post-meal walks.

  • Acupuncture -helps stimulate blood flow to ovaries, lowers inflammation, and reduces stress.

  • Stress reduction- Sleep, breathing, yoga, meditation, journaling, prayer, gratitude

  • Top PCOS Supplements: 

  • Magnesium – improves insulin sensitivity, reduces anxiety, helps promote relaxation and restful sleep

  • Ovasitol- (40:1 blend of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol)improves insulin sensitivity, reduces androgens, and restores regular ovulation, reduces testosterone. Works just as well or better than Metformin! Click here to get yours for 10% off with code 677079

  •  Zinc- Reduces inflammation, nourishes ovarian follicles and has anti-androgen effects.  Zinc deficiency puts you at greater risk for PCOS. My favorite way to get zinc is with Paleovalley's Organ Complex. This is nature's multivitamin. Click here to get 15% off.

  • Cod liver Oil- reduces inflammatory prostaglandins and boost Vitamin D levels

  • Probiotic –restores gut health and lowers lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which can increase gut permeability and cause inflammation.

  • NAC- reduces inflammation and promotes detoxification. Also improves insulin sensitivity. I like Pure Encapsulations NAC

For more help on your PCOS hormone balancing journey, check out my self-paced online course, The Period Solution, which can help you balance your hormones and start feeling better ASAP! This 6-module course comes with all the resources, recipes, and exercise videos you need to balance your hormones and regulate your periods.

 

Further Resources:

In health,

Jenna xx

 
Women's HealthJenna LongoriapcosComment