Naturopathic Treatments For PCOS

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If you get periods, you know they can sometimes be a hassle to deal with.

Symptoms that come along with them can include bloating, tenderness, and irritability, but it usually goes away after a few days.

If you have polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, however, imbalances in hormone levels can lead to these same symptoms, but also more severe effects such as depression, infertility, and even some cancers.

If you’re dealing with severe symptoms related to your period, you may be thinking “I need to find a women’s health naturopath near me”, to help get this under control.

Good news – you’ve found one.

Today we’re going to have a look at what PCOS is, and some natural ways to manage the symptoms.

Keep reading to find out more.

What Is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal imbalance condition which results in the production of higher than normal levels of testosterone.

Statistics vary wildly on how common this condition is among those of the age to bear children – some estimates give the number at around 2%, while others suggest more than 25%.

However, A 2010 study by March Et Al worked with 728 women with symptoms of PCOS, and found that 69% of them had not been diagnosed.

If you have PCOS, your high testosterone levels end up disrupting your menstruation, leading to irregular periods, as well as ovarian cysts, as per the name “polycystic”.

PCOS Symptoms

Symptoms of PCOS include:

Irregular menstrual cycle or missing periods altogether
Partial or full infertility
Acne
Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
Thinning hair and male pattern baldness
Dark patches forming on the skin
Headaches
Heavy menstruation
Growth of body hair
Higher risk of diabetes due to insulin resistance
Mood swings
Low libido
High levels of testosterone

What Causes PCOS?

At this point, we’re not sure precisely what causes PCOS.

However, we do know some risk factors, which include:

Genetics
High levels of inflammation
Insulin resistance
Smoking
High birth weight
An inactive lifestyle
Epilepsy, and some epilepsy treatments
Premature puberty
High levels of alcohol use

Complications From PCOS

The hormonal imbalances from PCOS can result in a number of health complications, which may include:

Depression
Sleep apnea
Metabolic syndrome
Endometrial cancer

PCOS And Fertility

PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility.

This is largely because it causes irregular ovulation, leading to fewer potential eggs being released for fertilization.

As many as 72% percent of people diagnosed with PCOS have issues with fertility.

Compare this with just 16% of the general population, and that’s a big difference.

Naturopathic Solutions For PCOS

Although there is currently no known cure for PCOS, there are a number of things you can do to manage your symptoms naturally.

Let’s take a look at some of the natural remedies you can use to help lessen your symptoms.

1. Eat A PCOS Diet

In general, a diet which results in weight loss can help with symptoms of PCOS.

The ketogenic diet, which is low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats may be particularly beneficial for people with PCOS.

Diets high in anti inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grass fed meat may also be beneficial in reducing symptoms of PCOS.

2. Avoid Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Your endocrine system is made up of the organs and glands in your body that produce hormones.

However, certain chemicals can interfere with hormone production, so we call them endocrine disruptors.

Because PCOS already affects hormone levels, people who have it are even more sensitive to these types of chemicals.

Some endocrine disruptors can be found in household items such as plastic bottles, liners of metal food cans, certain cosmetics, pesticides, and flame retardant materials.

The ones to watch out for include:

Bisphenol A
Dioxins
DBP
DEHP
Phthalates

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine which involves the insertion of thin needles at strategic points of the body.

It can be used to help a wide variety of issues, and there is evidence it can be beneficial in the case of PCOS.

By promoting blood flow to the ovaries, acupuncture treatment in Ottawa may help reduce the number of ovarian cysts and decrease blood glucose levels.

4. Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency has been found in more than two thirds of PCOS cases.

Although low levels of vitamin D doesn’t cause PCOS, they can play a role in the development of many symptoms, including obesity, insulin sensitivity, and infertility.

The addition of a vitamin D supplement can help improve PCOS symptoms.

5. Inositol

Inositol is a sugar alcohol compound which is found in nuts, grains, beans, and fruits.

As a supplement it can help improve insulin resistance, and lower testosterone levels, resulting in the improvement of PCOS symptoms.

It can also support fertility by improving ovulation.

Book Your Appointment With Dawdy Naturopathic Today

Are you dealing with symptoms related to polycystic ovary syndrome, and are looking for help in managing them naturally?

Or perhaps you suspect you have PCOS but haven’t yet been formally diagnosed?

I’m Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, a naturopathic doctor in Barrhaven and Ottawa, and I can help.

Book an appointment with me today, and start your journey towards better health.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic
6899 Sunset Blvd,
Greely, ON K4P 1C5
-https://g.page/dawdynaturopathicclinic

Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic offers a variety of naturopathic health solutions for individuals and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area.