PCOS and its Homoeopathic Treatment

INTRODUCTION

An estimated one in five (20%) Indian women suffer from PCOS. If PCOS treatment is not done in time, the condition can have serious health impacts.

To begin with let us understand what PCOS is.

PCOS is the acronym for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is the most common endocrine disorder of women in their reproductive period manifested by:

Irregular menstrual cycles and
Polycystic ovaries,
Excess unwanted hair and baldness, although not all patients have all these features.

What does polycystic mean?

The term ‘polycystic’ means ‘many cysts’, and PCOS gets its name because of the clusters of small, pearl-size cysts in ovaries. These cysts are fluid-filled bubbles (called follicles) that contain eggs that have not yet been released because of the hormonal imbalance.

SYMPTOMS

Some women start seeing symptoms around the time of their first period. Others only discover they have PCOS after they’ve gained a lot of weight or they’ve had trouble getting pregnant. This syndrome leads to infertility, insulin resistance, obesity, and cardiovascular problems, including a litany of other health issues.

PCOS symptoms and clinical features are presented differently in different age groups.

Common symptoms in younger women:

Irregular periods- Remember that a “normal” menstrual cycle means something different for every woman. A cycle that’s regular for you may be abnormal for someone else. It’s important to stay in tune with your body and to talk to your doctor if you notice any significant changes to your menstrual cycle.
Unwanted hair primarily on face, chest and back (Hirsutism primarily male pattern hair growth)
Obesity

Common consequences in older age group are:

Infertility
Risk of miscarriages

CAUSE

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown but following patterns are observed.

PCOS is a polygenic, polyfactorial, systemic, inflammatory, dysregulated steroid state, autoimmune disease, manifesting largely due to lifestyle errors. There is nearly a 40% chance that a female child may develop PCOS if the mother has it. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.

What Is Hormonal Imbalance?

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) 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. Estrogen and 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. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes PCOS. They believe that high levels of male hormones prevent the ovaries from producing hormones and making eggs normally.

Genes, insulin resistance, and inflammation have all been linked to excess androgen production.

Diagnosis

Doctors typically diagnose PCOS in women who have at least two of these three symptoms:

high androgen levels
irregular menstrual cycles
cysts in the ovaries

Your doctor should also ask whether you’ve had symptoms like acne, face and body hair growth, and weight gain.

A pelvic exam can look for any problems with your ovaries or other parts of your reproductive tract. During this test, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and checks for any growths in your ovaries or uterus.

Blood tests check for higher-than-normal levels of male hormones. You might also have blood tests to check your cholesterol, insulin, and triglyceride levels to evaluate your risk for related conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

An ultrasound uses sound waves to look for abnormal follicles and other problems with your ovaries and uterus.

Doctors diagnose PCOS if women have at least two of three main symptoms — high androgen levels, irregular periods, and cysts in the ovaries. A pelvic exam, blood tests, and ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis.

PREGNANCY AND PCOS

PCOS interrupts the normal menstrual cycle and makes it harder to get pregnant. Between 70 and 80 percent of women with PCOS have fertility problems. This condition can also increase the risk for pregnancy complications. Women with PCOS are twice as likely as women without the condition to deliver their baby prematurely. They’re also at greater risk for miscarriage, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes.

However, women with PCOS can get pregnant using fertility treatments that improve ovulation. Losing weight and lowering blood sugar levels can improve your odds of having a healthy pregnancy.

PCOS can make it harder to get pregnant, and it can increase your risk for pregnancy complications and miscarriage. Weight loss and other treatments can improve your odds of having a healthy pregnancy.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR PCOS

Treatment for PCOS usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise.

Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve PCOS symptoms. Weight loss can also improve cholesterol levels, lower insulin, and reduce heart disease and diabetes risks. Any diet that helps you lose weight can help your condition. However, some diets may have advantages over others.

Studies comparing diets for PCOS have found that low-carbohydrate diets are effective for both weight loss and lowering insulin levels. A low glycemic index (low-GI) diet that gets most carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps regulate the menstrual cycle better than a regular weight loss diet. A few studies have found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least three days a week can help women with PCOS lose weight. Losing weight with exercise also improves ovulation and insulin levels.

Exercise is even more beneficial when combined with a healthy diet. Diet plus exercise helps you lose more weight than either intervention alone, and it lowers your risks for diabetes and heart disease.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR PCOS

Homoeopathic treatment has no side effects and holistically treats individuals. Homoeopathic medicines can modify general tendencies, thus causing cure of conditions. Homoeopathic literature mentions many medicines for the conditions, of which a similimum can help a patient for keeping the disease at far away for a longer period as evidenced in this case. Homoeopathic medicine gives safe and gentle treatment in a cost-effective way, whereas in vitro fertilization and surgical resection and metformin cost a lot. Cinar et al. concluded after a study, mentioned in CCRH protocol for PCOS, that depression and anxiety are more common in patients with PCOS as compared with healthy women. Depression in PCOS might be associated with obesity and metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. In another study, the author concluded that overall, depression, anxiety mean scores and depression rates did not show a significant change in cases of PCOS after treatment with OCPs. Homoeopathic treatment is based on the holistic approach; therefore, all such aspects are taken into account for prescription. Besides, many studies found homoeopathic medicines to be effective.