What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of female sex hormones. PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder among women between the ages of 18 and 44.

This may lead to changes in the menstrual cycle, cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant and other health problems.

PCOS is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors include obesity, not enough physical exercise, and a family history of someone with the condition.

Diagnosis is based on two of the following three findings:

• no ovulation,
• high androgen levels, and
• ovarian cysts.

Cysts may be detectable by ultrasound. Other conditions that produce similar symptoms include adrenal hyperplasia, hypothyroidism, and hyperprolactinemia.

Also known as : Polycystic ovaries; Polycystic ovary disease; Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Poly-follicular ovarian disease.

Causes of PCOS

PCOS is a heterogeneous disorder of uncertain cause.

The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not fully understood, but genetics may be a factor.

PCOS problems are caused by hormone changes. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another.

Following hormones are affected:

• Estrogen and progesterone, the female hormones that help a woman’s ovaries release eggs
• Androgen, a male hormone that is found in small amounts in women

Normally, one or more eggs are released during a woman’s cycle. This is known as ovulation. In most cases, this release of eggs occurs about 2 weeks after the start of a menstrual period.

In PCOS, mature eggs are not released. Instead, they stay in the ovaries with a small amount of fluid around them. There can be many of these. However, not all women with the condition will have ovaries with this appearance.

These problems with the release of eggs can contribute to infertility. The other symptoms of this disorder are due to the hormone imbalances.

Most of the time, PCOS is diagnosed in women in their 20s or 30s. However, it may also affect teenage girls. The symptoms often begin when a girl’s periods start. Women with this disorder often have a mother or sister who has similar symptoms.

Symptoms of PCOS

PCOS is a heterogeneous disorder of uncertain cause.

The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not fully understood, but genetics may be a factor.

PCOS problems are caused by hormone changes. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another.

Following hormones are affected:

• Estrogen and progesterone, the female hormones that help a woman’s ovaries release eggs
• Androgen, a male hormone that is found in small amounts in women

Normally, one or more eggs are released during a woman’s cycle. This is known as ovulation. In most cases, this release of eggs occurs about 2 weeks after the start of a menstrual period.

In PCOS, mature eggs are not released. Instead, they stay in the ovaries with a small amount of fluid around them. There can be many of these. However, not all women with the condition will have ovaries with this appearance.

These problems with the release of eggs can contribute to infertility. The other symptoms of this disorder are due to the hormone imbalances.

Most of the time, PCOS is diagnosed in women in their 20s or 30s. However, it may also affect teenage girls. The symptoms often begin when a girl’s periods start. Women with this disorder often have a mother or sister who has similar symptoms.

Complications of PCOS

Reproductive problems

Hormone imbalances can cause several types of pregnancy problems and related problems, including:

• Infertility. This happens when the ovaries aren’t releasing an egg every month.
• Repeat miscarriages.
• Gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
• Increased blood pressure during pregnancy or delivery, having a larger than normal or smaller than normal baby, or having apremature baby.
• Precancer of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia). This can happen when you don’t have regular menstrual cycles, which normally build up and “clear off” the uterine lining every month.
• Uterine (endometrial) cancer. Risk during the reproductive years is 3 times greater in women who have PCOS than in women who ovulate monthly.

Problems with blood sugar

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body’s cells get the sugar they need for energy. Sometimes these cells don’t fully respond to insulin. This is called insulin resistance. It can lead to diabetes.

Heart problems and stroke

High insulin levels from PCOS can lead to heart and blood vessel problems. These include:

• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
• Coronary artery disease and heart attack.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Stroke.

Prognosis of PCOS

With treatment, women with PCOS are very often able to get pregnant. There is an increased risk of miscarriage, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Possible Complications of PCOS

Women with PCOS are more likely to develop:

• Endometrial cancer
• Infertility
• Breast cancer (slightly increased risk)

Treatment for PCOS

Homeopathic treatment for PCOS

The homeopathic approach towards management of PCOS is constitutional taking into account the patient’s physical symptoms along with their mental and genetic makeup that individualizes the person.

Homeopathic medicines help to balance the hyperactivity of the glands, regulate hormonal balance, dissolve the cysts in the ovaries and help them to resume normal functioning. Hence, Homeopathic medicines can restore hormonal balance, normal ovulation, menstrual cycles, and also eliminate the need for hormone therapies and surgery. This can significantly increase the chances of conception. The different expressions of this disease can be managed effectively, safely and gently with Homeopathic remedies.

Early intervention with Homeopathy can assist in preventing further progress and hence deterioration caused by PCOS.

Homeopathy for PCOS or PCOD should be continued for a significant duration of time as the appearance and normalization of the menstrual cycle as well as decrease or absence of cyst formation are the only means by which improvement can be monitored.