PCOS i.e. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a common hormonal syndrome that affects women in the reproductive age group. Prolonged menses, no menses for many months, delayed or irregular menses are the common symptoms which could point towards this endocrine disorder. Besides, weight gain, acne and hair growth on the face are also common in PCOS. Cysts are formed in the ovaries and there is an increase in the male hormones. It is also one of the main causes of female infertility.
Managing PCOS Naturally with Homoeopathy
Homeopathy can treat PCOS naturally, along with lifestyle changes that are introduced like managing weight and diet. PCOS is a result of an imbalance of hormones like LH (Luteinizing hormone) and FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) which leads to excessive androgen (male sex hormone) production. It manifests in the form of symptoms like irregular periods, weight gain, acne, hair fall and hirsutism. Homoeopathic medicines help in PCOS by restoring the hormonal balance, regulating menstrual cycle, improving metabolism and managing the associated symptoms. Homeopathic remedies can also help in cases of infertility that are linked to PCOS.
Homeopathic remedies dissolve cysts in ovaries
Homeopathic medicines are effective in dissolving cysts in ovaries. Although it is a time-consuming process taking several months, protocols as suggested by the homeopathic physician with timely clinical follow-ups can help immensely.
Natural, effective and safe treatment
Homeopathy offers an effective, natural and safe cure for PCOS. In the conventional mode, contraceptive pills and metformin are usually recommended for managing PCOS. This may lead to dependency and also have harmful side effects, creating more complications. On the other hand, homeopathy is a great alternative for treating PCOS in a safe and gentle manner without causing any side effects.
Constitutional treatment
— Homeopathy follows a path of constitutional treatment to treat a patient. Such treatment focuses on correcting the underlying conditions in the body causing the disease, not merely its signs and symptoms. In this way, it leads to a permanent cure rather than temporary symptom management.
— What does constitutional treatment mean? It refers to treatment based on evaluating, summing and addressing the physical, emotional and mental makeup of the patient. Constitutional treatment works as a stimulus for the person’s innate healing potential to self-heal. There are many medicines in homeopathy to treat PCOS, but medicines selected as per the patient’s constitution is what will helps cure PCOS.
Top 11 Homeopathic Medicines For PCOS
The top 11 homeopathic medicines to treat PCOS are Pulsatilla Nigricans, Sepia Officinalis, Calcarea Carbonica, Natrum Muriaticum, Hepar Sulphuricum, Oleum Jecoris Aselli, Kali Carbonicum, Thuja Occidentalis, Senecio Aureus ,Sabina and Apis Mellifica.
1. Pulsatilla Nigricans –Top Grade Medicine for PCOS
Sourced from the plant ‘wind flower’, Pulsatilla Nigricans is the topmost natural medicine for treating PCOS. Irregular and late periods are treated the best with this medicine. Periods happen later than the expected date and menstrual flow is scanty, may be dark and thick. There is suppressed menses exhibiting itself in the form of wet feet and nervous debility. Menses can be painful as well. Besides, it also treats acne associated with menstrual irregularities.
When to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?
A highly recommended medicine for irregular menses, especially late periods.
How to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?
— Low potencies like 30C can be taken twice a day.
— Use of high potency like 200C is limited to once in a day.
— Potencies higher than this including 1M, 10M are available to be taken only after consulting a homeopathic doctor.
2. Sepia Officinalis – For Irregular Periods, Facial Hair And Pigmentation
Sepia Officinalis is the next most beneficial medicine to help cases of hormonal imbalance which results in ovarian cyst. Most prominently its action is to regulate hormonal levels which in turn regularises the menstrual cycle. It is useful for females having late periods with scanty blood flow. A very characteristic symptom present is a bearing down sensation in the pelvic area. One feels as if pelvic organs will be pushed out of the vagina. Menses can either be too late and scanty or and can be too early and profuse. Sepia Officinalis is also effective in managing complaints of facial hair, mostly in the upper lip area and chin. Sepia officinalis is also a leading medicine to treat infertility and also recommended to manage cases of skin pigmentation (darkening).
When to use Sepia Officinalis?
This medicine treats late and scanty menses, also effective in getting rid of facial hair and skin pigmentation.
How to use Sepia Officinalis?
Sepia is available in different potencies like 30C, 200C and 1M; Usually used is 30C potency once a day.
3. Calcarea Carbonicum – To Manage Weight Gain Along With Heavy Period
It is an effective medicine to manage weight gain related to hormonal inmalance. It is also an excellent remedy to manage heavy periods in PCOS cases. Menses are too early, long and profuse accompanied by characteristic cold damp feet and vertigo. Even the slightest excitement causes the menstrual flow to restart. There may be extreme sensitivity to cold air. Other indications are a chilly feeling before menses, along with leucorrhoea.
When to use Calcarea Carbonicum?
— Effective in treating periods with heavy bleeding for a prolonged duration
— Helps to manage excessive weight gain
How to use Calcarea Carbonicum?
— Start with Calcarea Carb 30C taken twice a day.
— Higher potency may be required after carefully watching the symptoms, consult a homeopathic doctor before taking high potency.
4. Natrum Muriaticum– For Managing Hair Fall And Hair Thinning
Natrum Muriaticum is an ideal choice of medicine in case of hair fall and hair thinning. It is also recommended to treat the tendency to have late periods. It can manage sadness, irritability and headache well. There is bearing down pain that gets worse in the morning and any kind of consolation aggravates the problem.
When to use Natrum Muriaticum?
Natrum Muriaticum best for hair fall and hair thinning due to PCOS.
How to use Natrum Muriaticum?
— Generally used in 6X potency in tablet form.
— One may take Natrum Mur 6X three to four times a day (4 tablets at a time) as per intensity of hair fall.
5. Hepar Sulph – Manage Your Pimples With This Medicine
Hepar Sulph is an outstanding medicine when it comes to managing pimples (acne), especially acne contains pus (pustular acne). Sensitive to touch, there may be a prickling pain in the acne. Sometimes, blood may ooze out from pimples. Menses may be late and scanty. There is immense sensitivity to cold with a need to be covered and wrapped all the time.
When to use Hepar Sulph?
Hepar Sulph is the first choice to treat acne (especially the ones filled with pus) due to hormonal imbalance
How to use Hepar Sulph?
Take it in 30C potency once or twice a day as per severity of the complaint
6. Oleum Jecoris Aselli – Best For Managing Hair Growth On Face
This medicine has a great ability to check unusual hair growth on a woman’s face. It is suitable to treat excessive hair growth on the face, mostly on the chin or upper lip. The hair may be thick and hard.
When to use Oleum Jecoris Aselli?
Commonly called Oleum Jec, it is a very popular remedy for managing cases of facial hair growth in a woman.
How to use Oleum Jecoris Aselli?
Four tablets of Oleum Jecoris Aselli 3X twice or thrice a day is the right dose, commonly used in 3X potency.
7. Kali Carbonicum – When Periods Are Late By Several Months
Kali Carbonicum is a very helpful medicine for cases in which periods are missed for several months (say 3 or more) at a stretch. When periods come, there is heavy bleeding accompanied by backache that gets better in the sitting position and by applying pressure. The back pain may radiate to the gluteal muscle accompanied by soreness around the genitals. Before periods commence, colicky pain may be felt in the lower abdomen.
When to use Kali Carbonicum?
When there are no periods for 3 to 4 months, one can find this medicine helpful.
How to use Kali Carbonicum?
Taken in 30C potency two times a day to get periods on time
8. Thuja Occidentalis – For Managing Hair Growth On Face And Skin pigmentation
Prepared from fresh twigs of plant Arbor Vitae, Thuja is recommended to manage excessive hair growth on face and also for skin pigmentation, especially when there is brown discolouration on skin.
When to use Thuja Occidentalis?
This medicine is best to manage excessive hair growth on face as well as brownish skin pigmentation.
How to use Thuja Occidentalis?
Advised to take Thuja Occidentalis 30C once a day, but in high potencies like 200C and 1M, infrequent doses are recommended once or twice a week.
9. Senecio Aureus – For PCOS with Amenorrhea In Young Girls
Procured from a flowering plant Golden Ragwort, it is highly recommended for PCOS when menses are suppressed and delayed, referred to as amenorrhea, especially in young girls, along with backache. Problems of the throat and urinary bladder are relieved as the flow of menses is established. Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) with dull pain in the back and general weakness are characteristic symtoms to use this medicine.
When to use Senecio Aureus?
Works well to relieve menstrual irregularities in young girls
How to use Senecio Aureus?
— Start with lower potency i.e 30C, once or twice a month
— Higher potencies, such 200C,1M are to be taken after consulting a homoeopathic physician
10. Sabina – To manage heavy periods
Sabina is a highly effective medicine to tackle heavy menstrual bleeding. The bleeding is bright red with dark clots. Blood may be foul-smelling, bleeding increases with the slightest motion and periods may be prolonged. A characteristic attending feature is pain from the sacrum (a bone formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae at the bottom of spine) to the pubes (the lower part of the abdomen in front of the pelvis).
When to use Sabina?
This medicine is suggested for cases of heavy bleeding in PCOS cases.
How to use Sabina?
This medicine can be used in 30C potency twice or thrice a day as per the intensity of the complaint.
11. Apis Mellifica – For Right Sided Ovarian Cyst
It is especially recommended for treating ovarian cyst, especially in the right side of the ovary. There is stinging pain and soreness in the ovarian region. Periods last only for a day with bearing down sensation. Other symptoms are metrorrhagia (spotting between periods), besides stinging pain and fainting.
When to use Apis Mellifica?
It is well indicated for right-sided ovarian cyst showing signs of metrorrhagia
How to use Apis Mellifica?
It can be started in 30C potency, once or twice in a day.
Higher potencies, such as 200C,1M to be taken under the guidance of homoeopathic doctor.
Note One may take these medicines for one to two months. To continue further or to change its potency and dose, check with a homeopathic practitioner.
Causes Behind PCOS
The exact cause of PCOS is still not clear. There are a few factors, however, that are believed to lead to PCOS.
1. The main factor is the excessive production of the male hormone androgen by the
2. It is considered a disease of genetic A woman with a family history of PCOS is at a higher risk of developing it.
3. Insulin resistance and excess of insulin (a hormone produced by pancreas that helps body cells to use sugar for energy) can be one of the reasons. In case cells become resistant to insulin, there is an increase in blood sugar levels which makes the pancreas produce more insulin. The excessive insulin in turn triggers ovaries to produce more androgen.
4. Another factor is low-grade inflammation due to high androgen
5. Weight gain, obesity and an inactive lifestyle are other contributory factors.
Pathophysiology Of PCOS
In PCOS, the ovaries of a woman and ovulation are affected. The ovaries are a pair of reproductive organs in women that produce eggs (ovum). The ovaries produce hormones oestrogen, progesterone, and a small amount of male hormones known as androgens. The ovaries release an egg every month. The process of releasing an egg from the ovary is known as ovulation. Ovulation occurs around the 14th day of a 28-day menstrual cycle.
— Ovulation is controlled by the FSH – Follicle stimulating hormone and LH – luteinizing hormone.
— FSH controls follicle (sac-containing egg) production by the ovary and maturation of the egg, while LH triggers the release of a mature egg from the ovary.
— In the case of PCOS, there is an increase in androgen (male hormone) level. This inhibits the production of hormones by ovaries and the normal development of an egg.
— In PCOS, fluid-filled sacs/ immature follicles in ovaries that contain an immature egg develop but there is no ovulation. The absence of ovulation results in altered levels of oestrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH. Also, progesterone levels are low in cases of PCOS.
Signs And Symptoms Of PCOS
1.Menstrual problems:
a) Irregular periods due to absence of ovulation, as a result of which the lining of the uterus is not shed every month.
b) Delayed periods or amenorrhea (absence of menses for three or more consecutive months) which amounts to less than eight periods in a year.
c) As the periods do not occur regularly, it results in the building up of uterine lining for long. When the periods occur, they can be heavier than normal.
d) Scanty menses
2. Acne/pimples may occur due to release of more male hormones that causes skin to become oily. Acne may occur on the face, chest, and back.
3. Hirsutism: There is excess hair growth on the face or other unusual parts of the body, like belly, chest, and back. This is due to release of raised male hormone levels in a female’s body.
4. Skin darkening may appear especially in body folds like armpits, groin, under the breast, and neck. Acanthos Nigricans ( is a skin condition characterized by dark, thick, velvety patches, usually on the underarms, armpits and neck)
5. Hairfall, and hair thinning
6. It is noted that in around 80% of PCOS cases, there is weight gain and obesity
7. There is headache, mood swings and irritability due to hormonal
How to diagnose PCOS?
In cases where signs and symptoms point towards PCOS, the main first test advised is an ultrasound of the pelvis. In PCOS cases, ultrasound will show the presence of cysts (fluid-filled sacs) and enlargement of the ovaries. Hormone tests will have to be conducted to check the degree of hormonal imbalance. These tests are blood tests including FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), androgens, prolactin and progesterone.
What are the complications of PCOS?
— The most common complication is infertility (this is because women with PCOS do not have ovulation regularly because of which eggs are not released and not fertilized).
— The second complication that can occur is Type 2 diabetes.
— The third complication is metabolic syndrome (a combination of conditions that includes high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high LDL and low HDL).
— Other complications are miscarriage and premature birth of babies, eating disorders, depression and anxiety.
Management of PCOS
Effective management of PCOS requires a holistic approach combining lifestyle, diet, exercise, and stress control.
Regular physical activity like brisk walking, yoga or strength training helps improve insulin sensitivity, maintain healthy weight, and regulate hormone levels.
A balanced diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, fruits but low in refined sugar and processed foods helps in easy metabolism and reduces hormonal imbalance.
Stress management through meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness techniques keeps hormonal levels under check and improves mental well-being.
Adequate sleep and hydration are essential. Smoking and excessive alcohol and caffeine need to be avoided.
Consistent implementation of these measures promotes long-term symptom control, reduces recurrence and improves fertility and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does PCOS always cause infertility?
No, PCOS may delay conception but does not mean permanent infertility.
2. Does a woman suffering from PCOS gain weight?
Yes, hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance in PCOS can lead to weight gain, especially around the abdomen.
3. Are PCOD and PCOS the same?
No, both are not exactly same. PCOD mainly affects the ovaries and usually causes mild hormonal imbalance with irregular periods. PCOS is a broader hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects the whole body and may lead to infertility and long-term health issues.
4. Does PCOS increase the risk of diabetes?
Yes. PCOS increases the risk of diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, due to insulin resistance. Hormonal imbalance in PCOS makes the body less responsive to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels over a period of time.
5. Can PCOS affect mental health?
Absolutely. Hormonal imbalance, physical symptoms like acne or weight gain, and fertility concerns may lead to anxiety, depression, mood swings, and low self-esteem.
6. What do these terms mean — Amenorrhea, Menorrhagia and Metrorrhagia?
–Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods.
–Menorrhagia refers to abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding at regular intervals.
–Metrorrhagia is irregular menstrual bleeding that occurs between normal menstrual periods.
7. How is homeopathy effective in treating PCOS?
Homoeopathic medicines focus on hormonal imbalance and functioning of the ovaries. They help in regulating the menstrual cycle, support natural ovulation, reduce cyst formation and improve metabolism. It gives holistic treatment, physical as well emotional.
8. Does menstrual delay always indicate PCOS?
No. Menstrual delay does not always indicate PCOS. Delayed periods can occur due to hormonal imbalance, stress, weight changes, thyroid disorders, excessive exercise or temporary lifestyle factors. PCOS may be only one of the reasons.
9. Can homeopathic medicines be taken along with conventional medicines?
Yes it can be taken along with the conventional medicines. Minimum gap of 20-25 minutes should be maintained between intake of both types of medicines.
10. Is long term use of homoeopathic medicines safe?
Yes, homoeopathic medicines are gentle and completely safe in the long run. They should preferably be taken under the supervision of qualified homoeopathic physician.