PCOS is a condition that I see in increasing frequency in my clinical practice.
PCOS is a condition associated with literally many cysts in the ovary or ovaries. It is estimated to affect anywhere between 4 to 10%% of reproductive aged women.
With the use of ultrasound PCOS has been easier to identify. Some women have normal cycles and periods and experience no symptoms whilst others may suffer with a range of symptoms like irregular menstruation or absent periods all together.
Symptoms observed in women with PCOS
- Menstrual cycle disturbances resulting in lack of ovulation, irregular menstruation, or absent periods
- Obesity
- Infertility
- Excess androgen production leading to acne, male pattern hair growth (facial hair, hair around the nipples and navel)
- Miscarriage
- Hyperinsulinaemia (insulin resistance the inability of the cells to take in insulin).
Causes
PCOS can be described as a complex hormonal condition affecting the whole body of the individual. The abnormalities found in the ovary are actually a result of a bigger problem, rather than being the root cause.
Obesity and excess weight gain seems to be able to trigger hormonal changes that can drive PCOS. The hypothalamas, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands are also involved with PCOS.
Blood sugar irregularities and insulin resistance are connected to PCOS. Insulin resistance develops due to an insensitivity of insulin receptors to insulin. Insulin levels may be elevated or normal, but the insulin is incapable of shifting glucose into the cell. This insulin stimulates ovarian androgen production, and in turn increased androgen production contributes to insulin resistance and so the cycle continues.
Women with PCOS who are not overweight often have insulin resistance as well.
Excess weight in women increases the conversion of androgen to oestrone and much more oestrone is produced. This then creates high levels of oestrogen. These oestrogens arise from the peripheral conversion of androgens to oestrogen mainly androstenedione to oestrone. Ovarian oestrogen production is low due to abnormal follicular development.
PCOS places women in an increased risk category for:
- Diabetes
- Coronary artery syndrome
- Lipid disorder (cholesterol and blood pressure)
- Breast and endometrial cancer.
The OCP a treatment or a cause?
The oral contraceptive pill is known to cause weight gain within women. It also has been linked to insulin resistance. Yes it will create a monthly bleed for you but this does not reflect a true cycle and the bleed only really appears because you take the sugar pills therefore giving you an artificial bleed.
Let’s have a look at the side effects of the Pill:
- Weight gain
- Low libido
- Increased cellulite
- Increased risk of Cardiovascular disease
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Lumps in the breast
- Fluid retention
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Shortness of breath
Enough to send shivers down your spine don’t you think?
Yes the OCP will give you an artificial monthly bleed or now you can opt for a continuous dose pill, which skips the bleed all together.
But, it won’t eliminate PCOS and it’s not a long-term solution that will bring you back to vibrant health.
Ask yourself the question – did you develop PCOS because you had a drug deficiency?
No of course not.
Blood Tests to Wholistically Determine PCOS:
- Testosterone & SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin)
- Thyroid Function (T3, T4, Reverse T3, TSH, iodine)
- Glucose Tolerance Test
- Vitamin D
- Prolactin
Reduce your intake of starchy carbohydrates like grains and sugar.
Your body will use insulin to store excess carbohydrates as fat. Eventually a poor diet too high in sugar and highly refined carbohydrates will cause obesity. The increase in insulin stimulates androgen receptors on the outside of the ovary creating all the symptoms of PCOS excess hair (face, arms, legs) thin hair (on the head) and acne. The androgens also play a role in blocking the release of the egg from the follicle.
Fifty years ago the average person ate one pound of sugar per year. Today the average teenager eats this in one week. This makes it easy to understand why so many teens are being diagnosed with PCOS.
Adequate Protein – A minimum of a palm size of protein is recommended with each meal to help balance your blood sugars.
Increase Essential Fatty Acids- EFA’s have been clinically proven to reduce inflammation associated with hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance.
Correct Oestrogen Dominance
Why Eggs Won’t Pop and Progesterone Isn’t Made
But what causes dysfunctional follicles that won’t release eggs? I am convinced, from wildlife studies and from what I have observed in my practice, this is due to the exposure of female embryos to xenobiotics, environmental pollutants that chemically act like estrogen on the developing baby’s tissues.
When a female embryo develops in the womb, 500 to 800 thousand follicles are created, each enclosing an immature ovum. Studies show that the creation of ovarian follicles during this embryo stage is exquisitely sensitive to the toxicity of xenobiotics. When the mother is exposed to these chemicals, she experiences no apparent damage. But the baby she is carrying is far more susceptible, and these chemicals may damage a female embryo’s ovarian follicles and make them dysfunctional; unable to complete ovulation or manufacture sufficient progesterone. This damage is not apparent until after puberty.
-Dr John Lee
Detox Plastics From Your Life
Refer to my article on BPA. This chemical has a hormonal mimicking affect on the body. It is found in plastics such as food packaging, drinking bottles, takeaway drink cups (possibly the worst offender)
What To Take
Supplements - Balance Your Blood Sugar Levels with nutrients like Magnesium, Chromium, and zinc
Herbal Medicine – Peony, liquorice, cinnamon, sage, chaste tree, fenugreek, gymnema are some of the herbs traditionally used to balance the hormones.
Correct Your Vitamin D Deficiency
Refer to my article on Vitamin D
How do I know That My Condition Is Improving?
The disappearance of facial hair and acne are usually obvious signs that hormones are becoming balanced, but to see these results, you’ll need to give the treatment at least six months, in conjunction with proper diet and exercise.
If you have ever tried to cure your ovarian cysts by using a one dimensional treatment like birth control pills, progesterone creams or even detox diets and failed its probably because only one aspect of the condition has been treated. Also if you only symptomatically treat or surgically remove your cysts then chances are very high that they will return if you do not address the underlying problem.
If you are serious about overcoming PCOS then take advantage of our no obligation free consultation. Here you will receive professional advice and discover the real answers to your hormonal imbalance.
