What is Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome?

As the name introduces itself poly means multiple cystic means fluid filled sacs in ovary.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a disorder of group of symptoms manifest due to disturbance in sex hormones in female.

PCOS is characterised by the absence or irregular menstruation, excessive facial hair growth, acne, hair fall, obesity and many other associated symptoms.

It affects female in their reproductive age i.e. between menarche (commencement of menstruation) to menopause (permanent physiological stoppage of menstruation).

PCOS – Understand your disease

Ovaries are the part of female genital organ presents both sides of uterus in lower abdomen.

There are two major functions of ovaries. First, it provides shelter to the egg, gets them mature and second as a gland it produces sex hormones which help the egg to be mature in every menstrual cycle.

At the time of birth, each ovary is packed with a lifetime reserve of eggs in the form of primordial follicle.

One of these follicles gets mature and release an egg in the uterus for fertilisation with sperm. If fertilisation occurs it results in pregnancy, if fertilisation does not occur there is shedding of uterus lining results in menstruation..

All this process happens under the influence of hormones which gives signals for every event. These hormones released from brain i.e. first from hypothalamus, which gives signals to the pituitary gland and the hormones released from pituitary gland (LH, FSH) gives a signal to the ovary to produce sex hormones (estrogens and progesterone).

FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) helps primary follicle to be mature and LH (luteinizing hormone) helps egg to release from the ovary.

After getting signal from F.S.H and L.H ovaries secret estrogen and progesterone (female hormones) which are necessary for normal functioning of uterus and ovaries.

All normal ovaries also make a little bit of the androgen testosterone, a male sex hormone.

What happens in PCOS?

In polycystic ovary disease, there is an imbalance in hormones of brain (hypothalamus and pituitary) and ovaries. In PCOS, ovaries don’t get the right signal from pituitary. L.H levels are too high that it does not allow ovary to release egg. Eggs in the follicles do not mature and are not released from the ovaries. Instead, they form very small cysts in the ovary- hence the name polycystic ovaries.

In the uterus, uterine lining continues to proliferate due to lack of signal for shedding.

All this process results in the absence of menstruation or irregular menstruation and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Causes  of PCOs

Although no known causes have been found for the disease but some factors are seems to be linked or found to be associated with the disease. These are:-

Genes or Family history

Studies show that PCOS runs in families. Immediate relative like mother or sister with PCOS have 50% more chance of having the disease. Women with family history of type 2 diabetes also have high risk.

Insulin resistance & lifestyle

Insulin resistance means that cells of the body are showing insufficiency in using insulin.

Insulin is the hormone secreted by pancreas and responsible to convert sugar from the blood into energy. When cells are unable to use this insulin, sugar levels in the blood raise and in response pancreas is forced to secret more insulin.

These high levels can increase the production of sex hormones such as testosterone, in the ovaries. This contributes to excessive hair growth and acne, and can contribute to symptoms such as irregular periods, difficulty in ovulating, excess hair growth and acne.

Insulin resistance is present in up to 80 per cent of women with PCOS and this can contribute to an increased  risk of developing type- 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Insulin resistance is caused in part by lifestyle factors including being overweight because of a diet or physical inactivity. While women without PCOS who are overweight can have this form of insulin resistance, women with PCOS are more likely to have a particular form of insulin resistance caused by genetic factors separate from the insulin resistance associated with being overweight.

This means women with PCOS can have:

• Insulin resistance as a result of genetic factors
• Insulin resistance as a result of being overweight (related to diet and inactivity)
• A combination of both of these factors.

Sign and symptoms of PCOD

Symptoms may vary from patient to patient. Not every patient shows the entire symptom set. Patient with more than five to six from below mentioned sign and symptoms should be taken into consideration and further investigation. These include

• Irregular menses: due to lack of ovulation Women with PCOS may miss periods or have fewer periods (fewer than eight in a year). Or, their periods may come every 21 days or more often. Some women with PCOS stop having menstrual periods.
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Obesity: women with PCOD have difficulty in losing weight.
• Excessive hair growth on the face, chin, or parts of the body where men usually have hair. This is called “hirsutism.” Hirsutism affects up to 70% of women with PCOS
• Acne
• Skin tags, which are small excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
• Excessive thinning of hair
• Dark patches on skin creases like neck, groin and under the breast.
• Depression and Anxiety
• Decreased libido
• Fatigue
• High level of androgen
• High cholesterol
• High level of insulin

Diagnosis of PCOS

Diagnosis is based upon the combination of clinical findings, ultrasound and laboratory features.

Clinical findings: – A full medical history about menstruation, changes in weight, physical examination for extra hair on your face, chest or back, acne, or skin discoloration is important.

Laboratory Findings: –

Blood tests for check sex hormone levels, and other hormones related to other common health problems that can be mistaken for PCOS, such as thyroid disease.

In Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), we find the reverse ratio of FSH to LH.

Normally it shows an equal ratio of FSH to LH or FSH being slightly higher than LH

In Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), the ratio is reversed with a 3:1 of LH: FSH.

Ultrasound: – This test uses soundwaves to examine  ovaries for cysts and check the endometrium (lining of the uterus or womb)

In polycystic ovary disease, enlarged ovaries with thickened sclerotic capsules and an abnormally high number of follicles are present.

Homeopathy Treatment for PCOS

Homeopathic treatment is a natural form of medicine based on the principle of symptom similarity. Homeopathic remedies are derived from natural sources and are diluted and potentized to make them safe. Homeopathic literature says that when a remedy, which covers your symptoms very well, is administered, it is able to affect a cure rapidly and gently, even of long standing and inveterate cases.

Homeopathy medicine treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc.

In homeopathy when PCOS is treated, the goal of treatment is to treat the patient holistically i.e. all the symptom of PCOS improves simultaneously weather it may be menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, obesity, depression or any other associated complaint. It’s not like the conventional treatment where you have to take different different therapies and treatment for each of your symptom.

Homeopathic constitutional treatment will help balance hyperactivity of the glands, regulate hormonal balance, dissolve the cysts in the ovaries and force 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.

Homeopathy has wonderful medicines for PCOS which improves your health without any side effects. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy. None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice.

Following homeopathy medicines are frequently indicated in PCOS cases:

Pulsatilla, Calcarea carbonica, Apis mellifica, Kali carb, Thuja. Kali carb, Lycopodium and many more. Remedies are selected based on the constitution of the patient.

We’re passionate about helping patient’s recover and get rid of medication and work with our patients as a team to help them be their best. We at Homeohealing Holistic Clinic, take utmost care to listen to our patients and truly understand where the imbalance is in their body. We give the patients a perfect simillimum remedy which helps to bring back the vitality of the patient. So call us today and see how we can help you. We offer in-person and online consultations world-wide and dispatch medications all over the world.