POLYCYSTIC OVARIEN SYNDROME[PCOS]
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a problem with hormones that happens during the reproductive years. If you have PCOS, you may not have periods very often. Or you may have periods that last many days. You may also have too much of a hormone called androgen in your body.
With PCOS, many small sacs of fluid develop along the outer edge of the ovary. These are called cysts. The small fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs. These are called follicles. The follicles fail to regularly release eggs.
SYMPTOMS
The most common PCOS symptoms are:
- Irregular periods. A lack of ovulation prevents the uterine lining from shedding every month. Some women with PCOS get fewer than eight periods a year
- Heavy bleeding. The uterine lining builds up for a longer period of time, so the periods you do get can be heavier than normal.
- Hair growth. More than 70 percent of women with this condition grow hair on their face and body — including on their back, belly, and chest. Excess hair growth is called hirsutism.
- Acne. Male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and cause breakouts on areas like the face, chest, and upper back.
- Weight gain. Up to 80 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or have obesity
- Male pattern baldness. Hair on the scalp gets thinner and may fall out.
- Darkening of the skin. Dark patches of skin can form in body creases like those on the neck, in the groin, and under the breasts.
- Headaches. Hormone changes can trigger headaches in some women.
Causes
The exact cause of PCOS isn’t known. Factors that might play a role include:
- Insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that the pancreas makes. It allows cells to use sugar, your body’s primary energy supply. If cells become resistant to the action of insulin, then blood sugar levels can go up. This can cause your body to make more insulin to try to bring down the blood sugar level.
- Too much insulin might cause your body to make too much of the male hormone androgen. You could have trouble with ovulation, the process where eggs are released from the ovary.
- One sign of insulin resistance is dark, velvety patches of skin on the lower part of the neck, armpits, groin or under the breasts. A bigger appetite and weight gain may be other signs.
- Low-grade inflammation. White blood cells make substances in response to infection or injury. This response is called low-grade inflammation. Research shows that people with PCOS have a type of long-term, low-grade inflammation that leads polycystic ovaries to produce androgens. This can lead to heart and blood vessel problems.
- Heredity. Research suggests that certain genes might be linked to PCOS. Having a family history of PCOS may play a role in developing the condition.
- Excess androgen. With PCOS, the ovaries may produce high levels of androgen. Having too much androgen interferes with ovulation. This means that eggs don’t develop on a regular basis and aren’t released from the follicles where they develop. Excess androgen also can result in hirsutism and acne.
Complications
Complications of PCOS can include:
- Infertility
- Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
- Miscarriage or premature birth
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis — a severe liver inflammation caused by fat buildup in the liver
- Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase your risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease
- Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Depression, anxiety and eating disorders
- Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)
- Obesity commonly occurs with PCOS and can worsen complications of the disorder
What is the Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS?
Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS usually includes a combination of herbs, therapies, and lifestyle changes, such as diet.
Ayurvedic diet for PCOS
- The dietary practices an Ayurvedic practitioner recommends for PCOS will often be similar to what your primary care doctor might suggest, including:
- eating fewer saturated fats (like red meat and deep fried foods)
- reducing your salt intake
- eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- avoiding refined sugar, sugary foods, and artificial sweeteners.
Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS subfertility
Subfertility is when you’re trying to get pregnant but experience a delay in conceiving. It can be a symptom of PCOS.
Shodhana (detoxification and purification procedures)
Shamana (palliative treatments to reduce discomfort and relieve symptoms)
Tarpana (offering made to divine entities)
