By Health Square desk 
PCOS is a complex hormonal syndrome which affects a considerable population of females of childbearing age. Although many pieces of research are being performed to find the treatment, the success rate is low. Most healthcare providers believe that PCOS treatment lies in natural remedies and lifestyle changes, at least for now. Though the prime cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is still unknown, researchers suspect that the body’s regulation hormones such as insulin and testosterone are significant contributors.
Symptoms: The symptoms of PCOS differs from person to person but commonly included symptoms are
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- acne
- ovarian cyst
- hair growth on the face and body parts
- weight gain
- infertility
- loss of hairs/thin hairs
Natural PCOS Treatments
At present, there is no exact treatment available for PCOS. Some practitioners recommend the use of birth control pills to manage the symptoms. However, natural PCOS treatments are the only ways to alleviate the symptoms. But there arise a few questions such as do these natural PCOS treatments work? Are these methods safe? Is there any scientific data in support of these? Let us have a look at these treatment methods and what research says about them.
1. Weight Loss
Obesity and insulin resistance have a crucial role in initiating or continuing the overall bad reproductive health in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It implies that natural PCOS treatment that decreases body weight and insulin resistance can alleviate the symptoms of PCOS. Healthy lifestyle changes are effective in improving reproductive health in up to 80% of females who maintains at least 5% weight loss.
According to sage journals, “Increasing evidence suggests that obesity may play a causal role in developing or maintaining PCOS, possibly through compensatory hyperinsulinemia”. Women with PCOS usually have increased body weight, which increases the risk of disorders associated with metabolic syndromes like diabetes and heart problems. Specific lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy and balanced diet and perform more physical activity, helps lose weight and reduce the risk of health problems.
2. Diet changes
Change in diet is the key to manage PCOS. Women with PCOS have usually higher levels of insulin, a hormone that lowers high blood sugar. If the levels of insulin are always high, it may stop responding to the hormone causing blood sugar levels to remain high. The condition is called insulin resistance, and it leads to diabetes. Insulin resistance is common in women with PCOS, and it makes it very difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Insulin and blood sugar levels rise fast if the choice of food includes a high quantity of carbohydrates or sugars. Therefore, it is crucial to cut down the number of carbohydrates and keep insulin levels low. One can achieve it by avoiding products such as
- white bread
- white pasta
- white rice
- cereal
- cookies
- chips
- soda
- juice
- granola bars
Unlike simple carbohydrates, complex carbs contain fibre, thus do not raise blood sugar levels. Some sources of complex carbs include:
- whole grains
- whole-wheat bread or pasta
- brown rice
The best diet plan for women with PCOS would be complex carbs, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
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3. Exercise
Exercise is a must for weight loss. Regular exercise reduces insulin levels and keeps blood sugar levels in a moderate range. It is also beneficial for health and keeps heart healthy, improves mood and regulate sleep patterns. A good workout does not necessarily mean hitting the gym — preferably practical training should be an enjoyable one. Taking part in a sport or an activity that makes you feel encouraged and positively engages you brings out the most benefits.
4. Supplements
Some supplements claim to improve hormone regulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation due to PCOS. Although they are not purely natural products but they improve the condition. Supplements can be used in consultation with a doctor as natural PCOS treatment option.
- Inositol: B vitamin that can help improve insulin resistance and fertility in PCOS.
- Chromium: It improves Body mass index and stabilises insulin resistance by metabolising the sugar.
- Cinnamon: it has a positive effect in improving insulin resistance and regulates menstruation in women suffering from PCOS
- Turmeric: it reduces insulin resistance and decreases inflammation.
- Zinc: it boosts the fertility and immune system and improves the symptoms of alopecia
- Evening primrose oil: It improves period pain and regulates the menstrual periods. It helps to alleviate the symptoms of PCOS as it improves cholesterol levels and oxidative stress.
- Combined vitamin D and calcium: vitamin D and calcium help regulate the irregular periods and help to improve ovulation.
- Cod liver oil: The presence of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D improves the menstrual irregularity. They also help in shedding some extra kilos.
- Berberine: It is a Chinese medicine which can help with insulin resistance. It can ramp the metabolism and balance the endocrine hormones in women with PCOS.
5. CBD
The trend of using the cannabidiol (CBD) oil in the treatment of many conditions, including PCOS, is somewhat developing. While there are no current studies and proved research about the effects of CBD on PCOS, however, some early research has shown that it can help with anxiety and sleeping disorders, conditions common in women with PCOS.
6. Probiotics
Now a day a lot of people are concerned about the probiotics; trillions of bacteria living in the intestines and are essential in the gut health. Medical science has proved by various studies the link between many diseases including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes to the gut environment, or microbiome present in it.
A 2016 study in animals found that probiotics may affect sex hormones, including androgens and oestrogen. This phenomenon suggests that the microbiome can have an association with developing PCOS. Probiotics are also considered as a PCOS treatment by healthcare professionals. Although the fact that microbiome is involved in improving PCOS, the matter requires further research. However, doctors consider probiotics safe to take. Consult your doctor before taking any probiotics
7. Try to have a good sleep.
Sleep affects the stress levels in the body and helps regulate cortisol to balance the hormones. Women with PCOS have sleep disturbance which causes a worsening in the PCOS symptoms. Try to aim for a fair and adequate sleep of eight to ten hours per night. Like many other vital health benefits regular sleep patterns are important as natural PCOS treatment.
8. Reduce stress
Decrease in stress can regulate cortisol. Many of practices like yoga, getting enough sleep, and cutting caffeine, can help to lower stress levels. Stress, anxiety or depression can cause a hormonal imbalance in body and worsen the situation if you are already suffering from PCOS. Taking walks outside and making space in your life for relaxation and self-care techniques can also reduce stress and make you feel better.
Do natural PCOS treatments improve Fertility?
Infertility in women suffering from PCOS results from irregular ovulation and menstruation. When ovulation occurs irregularly or sparingly, it becomes challenging to identify the fertile window– the days in which the chances of women to get pregnant are relatively high. The natural methods discussed above may help some women to regulate the periods. But in others, they are ineffective. It is better to consult a doctor about your plans for conception and find out the most suitable method such as medicines or IVF.
Conclusion
PCOS is a complex hormonal syndrome. As discussed above no conventional PCOs treatment is there for the cure of disease; therefore, several alternative natural PCOS treatments are the only option to manage the symptoms and alleviate the complications. Women with PCOS should consult with their doctors regularly to ensure that the right decisions should be taken at the right time to improve their health and avoid serious complications.
NOTE: All the facts about above products are fact checked. Reference is given below.
References: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.2217/17455057.3.1.73 , https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=pcod, www.healthline.com