Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher than normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes their body to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR PCOS

Homoeopathy can be a boon to patients having PCOS. Homoeopathic medicines help to treat PCOS and manage its symptoms by working to set right the hormones that are out of balance in such cases. Homoeopathy helps to regularise the menstrual cycle and manage other signs and symptoms of PCOS like heavy periods, facial hair, pimples, hair fall and skin pigmentation. There are numerous medicines in homoeopathy to treat these cases, but among these, the medicine which is required to get rid of the disease from its roots varies from case to case. Homoeopathic medicine needs to be selected as per signs and symptoms in each individual case.

The treatment in homoeopathy is tailored to the individual. Homoeopathy does not have any specific remedies, estrogen dominance, insufficient progesterone, or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Homoeopathy takes a distinct approach to problems, thereby treating them holistically.

Hormone imbalance also leads to a variety of emotional disturbances. Hormones can alter mood and behaviour. Additional tension may arise as a result of an increase in weight and skin concerns such as acne, or facial hair. A person with hormonal imbalance can be treated with homoeopathy gently and safely. Homoeopathy can help manage both emotional and physical problems. Several homoeopathic treatments match the symptom description of people suffering from hormone imbalance.

KNOW YOUR DISEASE

PCOS affects a woman’s ovaries, the reproductive organs that produce estrogen and progesterone hormones, that regulate the menstrual cycle. The ovaries also produce a small amount of male hormones called androgens. The ovaries release eggs to be fertilized by a man’s sperm. The release of an egg each month is called ovulation. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are produced in the pituitary gland, control ovulation. FSH stimulates the ovary to produce a follicle, a sac that contains an egg and then LH triggers the ovary to release a mature egg.PCOS is a “syndrome,” or group of symptoms that affects the ovaries and ovulation. Its three main features are:

• cysts in the ovaries
• high levels of male hormones
• irregular or skipped periods

In PCOS, many small, fluid-filled sacs grow inside the ovaries. The word “polycystic” means “many cysts.” These sacs are actually follicles, each one containing an immature egg. The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation. The lack of ovulation alters levels of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. Progesterone levels are lower than usual, while androgen levels are higher than usual. Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle, so women with PCOS get fewer periods than usual.

SIGNS OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)

The most common signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular periods Abnormal menstruation involves missing periods or not having a period at all. It may also involve heavy bleeding during periods.
• Abnormal hair growth You may grow excess facial hair or experience heavy hair growth on your arms, chest and abdomen (hirsutism). This affects up to 70% of people with PCOS.



• Acne PCOS can cause acne, especially on your back, chest and face. This acne may continue past your teenage years and may be difficult to treat.
• Obesity Between 40% and 80% of people with PCOS have obesity and have trouble maintaining a weight that’s healthy for them.
• Darkening of the skin You may get patches of dark skin, especially in the folds of your neck, armpits, groin (between the legs) and under your breasts. This is known as acanthosis nigricans.
• Cysts Many people with PCOS have ovaries that appear larger or with many follicles (egg sac cysts) on ultrasound.
• Skin tags   Skin tags are little flaps of extra skin. They’re often found in your armpits or on your neck.
• Thinning hair People with PCOS may lose patches of hair on their head or start to bald.
• Infertility PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in women. Not ovulating regularly or frequently can result in not being able to conceive.

CAUSES OF PCOS

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There’s evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors, most importantly obesity, also play a role in causing PCOS:

• Higher levels of male hormones called androgens High androgen levels prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, which causes irregular menstrual cycles. Irregular ovulation can also cause small, fluid-filled sacs to develop on your ovaries. High androgen also causes acne and excess hair growth in women.
• Insulin resistance  An increase in insulin levels causes your ovaries to make and release male hormones (androgens). Increased male hormones suppress ovulation and contribute to other symptoms of PCOS. Insulin helps your body process glucose (sugar) and use it for energy. Insulin resistance means your body doesn’t process insulin correctly, leading to high glucose levels in your blood. Not all individuals with insulin resistance have elevated glucose or diabetes, but insulin resistance can lead to diabetes. Having overweight or obesity can also contribute to insulin resistance. An elevated insulin level, even if your blood glucose is normal, can indicate insulin resistance.
• Low-grade inflammation People with PCOS tend to have chronic low grade inflammation.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

In most cases, your doctor can diagnose PCOS after an examination and discussing your symptoms. They may order blood tests or perform an ultrasound to help with the diagnosis.

Your doctor will:

• Talk to you about your symptoms and medical history
• Ask about your biological family’s medical history
• Take your weight and blood pressure
• Perform a physical exam, looking specifically for excess facial hair, hair loss, acne, discoloured skin and skin tags
• Perform a pelvic exam to look for other causes of abnormal bleeding
• Order blood tests to check hormone levels and glucose levels
• Perform a pelvic ultrasound to look at your ovaries, check the thickness of your uterine lining and look for other causes of abnormal bleeding.

HOW DO I COPE WITH PCOS?

One of the best ways to cope with PCOS is to maintain a healthy bodyweight, eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly. These changes to your lifestyle can affect hormone levels, in turn regulating your menstrual cycle and easing your symptoms.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AN OUTLOOK ON PCOS - BY DR. SMRITI’S HOMOEOPATHIC HEALING

PCOS is a common condition that affects your menstrual cycle and causes other symptoms. Homoeopathic medicines help to treat PCOS and manage its symptoms by working to set right the hormones that are out of balance in such cases. Homoeopathic medicines help to regularise the menstrual cycle and manage other signs and symptoms of PCOS like heavy periods, facial hair, pimples, hairfall and skin pigmentation. Lifestyle changes and homoeopathic treatment can help you manage the symptoms, lower your risk of other health conditions and help you get pregnant (if pregnancy is your goal).