PCOS is becoming increasingly common, with 12-21% of women affected and up to 70% of these affected women left undiagnosed.. However, there is often much confusion over the difference between Poly Cystic Ovaries and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In a nut shell, PCOS is typically characterised by elevated androgen (male hormone) levels produced by the ovaries (detected in serum, or saliva test), alongside an internal ultrasound to confirm the presence of multiple follicles on the ovaries combined with symptoms such as absence of a period or irregular cycles, weight gain, acne, infertility plus many more. Women with PCOS will often find they are insulin resistant as well. However, PCO, involves the presence of multiple follicles on the ovaries without the elevated androgens or other symptoms of PCOS. This will be confirmed via an ultrasound and blood work. Symptoms of PCO may be irregular or missing periods, ovarian pain and infertility.
So how can plants help?
Detoxify Excess Hormones
Liver herbs are my go to for pretty much any reproductive/hormonal disorder. This is because your liver plays a huge role in detoxifying excess hormones from the body. When there is excess hormones such as estrogen or androgens circulating in the blood this places a large strain on the liver which can often become sluggish due to the pressure placed upon it to detoxify. There are many great liver herbs that can help to ease this burden on your liver and enhance detoxification of excess hormones including Milk Thistle, Rosemary, Turmeric, Bupleurum, Globe Artichoke and Schisandra. These herbs are best taken in tablet or liquid form.
Support Your Adrenals
Increased stress causes an increase in not only stress hormone such as cortisol, but an increase in androgens as well as raised blood sugar levels. As we know, both of these will exacerbate PCOS symptoms. A wonderful way to support your adrenals and reduce stress is with adaptogen herbs. These herbs are traditionally used to increase resistance to stress and lower stress hormones such as cortisol in the body. These herbs include Withania, Rhodiola, Rehmannia, Schisandra, Shatavari and Maca. You can take these herbs in tablet or liquid form and most of them can even be stirred into warm milk when in powder form and drunk as a daily tonic.
Balance Your Hormones
A traditional herbal formula for PCOS is Peony and Licorice. This is due to their combined ability to inhibit the production of androgen synthsizing enzymes in the ovary and nicrease the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Studies have shown that taking this combination daily was able to significantly decrease androgen levels in the blood of women with PCOS. Licorice can be taken as a tea and Licorice and Peony in combination can be taken in the form of a tablet or liquid.
Regulate Your Blood Sugar
As we now know, insulin resistance is often a large part of the picture when it comes to PCOS. Balancing blood sugar levels via a low glycemic diet is very important and includse lots of wholegrains, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables and clean protein. There are also herbs which are helpful in balancing blood sugar including Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Goats Rue, Gymnema, Green Tea and Bitter Melon. Most of these can be taken in the form as food as medicine ie. cinnamon on oats, fenugreek in curries, green tea instead of black etc and Goats Rue, gymnema and Bitter Melon (can be eaten but as the name suggests it's very bitter) can be taken in tablet form.
Implementing these tips can help you to treat the root cause of PCOS and help to clear excess androgens, balance your hormones and regulate your blood sugar levels in order to treat unwanted symptoms. If you would like additional customised support on helping you to address your PCOS then please email me at kate@littleyarrow.com to book a Naturopathic Session.