Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder in which the ovaries dilate due to a large number of underdeveloped follicles filled with fluid (cysts).
As a result, the ovaries fail to produce eggs regularly.
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common problem in women of childbearing age.
5%-10% of women are diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, but only 30% of them suffer from multiple symptoms at the same time.
The syndrome mainly occurs in women near menopause, but young women also suffer from it.
Having ovarian cysts is not life threatening but it does lead to hormonal imbalance and therefore the symptoms include:
- Lack of ovulation or irregularity of ovulation.
- Hyperandrogenism (high level of male sex hormones).
- Menstrual irregularities.
- Acne ulcers.
- Hair loss, male pattern baldness.
- Excess facial and body hair.
- Obesity, diabetes and infertility.
The most common criterion for diagnosing polycystic ovarian syndrome is a high level of male sex hormones (hyperandrogenism).
In any case, it is important to treat the syndrome as early as possible to prevent complications and outbreaks of new diseases.
Polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance
There is a strong link between polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance.
Nearly all women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and obesity also suffer from insulin resistance.
Conventional drug treatment comes with some side effects, such as indigestion, breathing problems and muscle pain.
To improve the condition of the ovaries, it is therefore important to lose weight and treat insulin resistance.
Weight loss can lead to a significant improvement in sugar and cholesterol levels, blood pressure and a reduction in the level of male sex hormones.
Natural treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome
Power supply
First and foremost, addressing insulin resistance is critical when treating polycystic ovaries.
Losing weight can lower insulin levels.
It is necessary to lose weight for women who are obese or for women who suffer from additional problems of metabolic syndrome, such as high fat content, high cholesterol, etc.
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There are studies showing that a weight loss of between 5% and 10% of the body weight of an overweight woman with polycystic ovaries improves her chances of regular ovulation and menstruation.
There are also foods whose virtues support hormonal balance in women.
During naturopathic treatment, extensive work is done on adopting healthy eating habits.
For example, choosing the right low-glycemic foods that don’t increase insulin.
In this treatment you also work on the intense need for sweets.
Foods to add to your diet if you have polycystic ovary syndrome
Vegetables
All types of leaves, broccoli, celery, cabbage, cucumber, parsley, radish, spinach and turnips.
Prefer organic foods that are free of hormones and antibiotics.
Legumes
Beans, soybeans, lentils, peas and chickpeas.
It is important to remember that legumes contain carbohydrates in addition to proteins.
The body breaks down carbohydrates into sugars, so it’s best to eat only a modest amount of these legumes.
Eat fruit in moderation
Many types of fruit contain sugar and therefore eat them in moderation.
My experience is that it is fine to eat a maximum of 2 pieces of fruit per day.
It is better to eat them in the morning than in the afternoon, because the body cells are more sensitive to insulin in the morning.
Give preference to whole foods and foods containing dietary fiber
Whole foods are broken down more slowly and therefore do not cause a rapid increase in sugar and insulin levels.
For the same reason, avoid simple carbohydrates, such as white flour products, rice, potatoes, etc.
Eat more foods that contain dietary fiber, as these moderate the rate of high blood sugar levels.
Maintaining a good diet regularly also contributes to the balance of sugar and insulin levels.
Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome
Research shows that drinking two cups of coffee per day increases estradiol levels in the body.
This can affect progesterone levels in women whose levels are lower than necessary to create and maintain a pregnancy.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which is more like eating sugar.
Exercise addresses all aspects of the syndrome:
- Exercise helps with weight loss, especially in combination with nutritional treatment.
- It reduces the level of male hormones in patients with the syndrome.
- Exercise improves insulin function at the receptor level because the activity increases the number of receptors and improves their function.
- Exercise also improves the lipid profile in the blood,
Which initially lowers the level of triglycerides and increases the level of HDL cholesterol.
Later, it lowers LDL cholesterol levels and total cholesterol. - Exercise can lower blood pressure by 10%.
When combined with nutritional therapy, it can lower blood pressure to a level where the medication is not necessary.
Herbal medicine for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome
Maca Lepidium Meyenii
Maca is an excellent adaptogenic and general tonic plant that contains no hormones.
It brings about hormonal balance by nourishing and influencing the endocrine system.
One of the main actions of Maca is to stimulate and nourish the hypothalamus which regulates the pituitary gland.
This gland acts as a tonic for the hormonal system.
When the pituitary gland functions optimally, the entire endocrine system comes into balance.
It happens because the pituitary gland controls hormone production.
Therefore, the maca plant balances the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
Cinnamon Cassia regulates the menstrual cycle in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Kassia-type cinnamon is a type of cinnamon that is rich in the substance cinnamaldehyde.
Cinnamic aldehyde mimics the action of insulin, making it more suitable for women with polycystic ovary syndrome or for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Research has shown that cassia cinnamon helps balance insulin levels, regulate menstruation and improve fertility.
Findings from a clinical trial conducted at Columbia University Medical Center in the United States in women with polycystic ovaries show that cinnamon regulates the menstrual cycle.
Thyme lowers lipid and sugar levels in the blood
One of the causes of polycystic ovary syndrome is oxidative stress.
Thyme contains an active ingredient called thymol, which is known as a powerful antioxidant.
The extract can also help balance sugar and cholesterol levels.
In an experiment investigating the effect of thyme extract on diabetes patients, an average decrease in sugar levels of 60% was observed.
Other studies on the effect of thyme extract have shown a reduction in blood sugar levels.
There was also a decrease in lipid levels (LDL, VLDL, general cholesterol and triglycerides) and uric acid.
In addition, there was an increase in good HDL cholesterol and improved liver activity.
Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, detoxifying and helps balance sugar levels.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is an anti-inflammatory and powerful antioxidant.
The findings of studies indicate the contribution of curcumin to the reduction of inflammatory indices in polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Curcumin also has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels and detoxification.
Therefore, combine it in the treatment if there is no sensitivity to the substance.