This “silent disorder” is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women today. PCOS can develop for a number of different reasons, and symptoms can vary a lot from woman to woman, although it is generally accepted that insulin resistance plays “an intrinsic role” in the development of the disease. There is no known “cure” for polycystic ovarian syndrome, although the underlying hormonal causes could possibly be reversed.
Insulin resistance seems to affect 50–70 percent of all women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
So what happens in your body….
- Ovaries usually start making more androgens (male sex hormones) and that is the reason for masculine symptoms like extra facial and body hair.
- Androgen access- when there is too much androgen in the body it leadsto symptoms like acne, abnormal hair growth and mood issues.
Some of the symptoms are:
- Partial or total infertility
- Irregular or missing periods
- Weight gain and/or trouble losing weight
- Acne
- Insulin resistance
- High male hormone levels, particularly testosterone
- Excessive hair growth, including in places women don’t usually grow hair, such as on the face and abdomen)
- Thinning hair
- Fatigue
- Changes in mood
- Low sex drive
Possible natural remedies for PCOS symptoms
- Diet- try and eat an anti-inflammatory foods eg: vegetables, fruits, grass-fed/pasture-raised meats, wild-caught fish (like salmon), nuts/seeds (like chia, flax, hemp, almonds and walnuts) and unrefined oils/fats (including coconut oil, olive oil and avocado)
- Get enough rest
- Exercise moderately
- Avoid endocrine disrupters eg: Pesticides, Bisphenol A, Phthalates ,Dioxins,BPA,DEHP,DBP
- Supplement with Inositol… research seems to support that inositol can greatly improve PCOS symptoms
- Get more vitamin D
- Ashwagandha
- Chasteberry
- Maca
- Check that you getting enough of the following: magnesium, zinc, calcium, chromium, folic acid, Omega 3 and NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
Precautions:
- Some herbal remedies may imitate metformin so always check with your healthcare provider before taking them.
- Zinc shouldn’t be taken in large amounts over long periods of time