Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn
Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

all rights reserved with siahmsr digital healthcare[siahmsr wellness]

Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS]

    Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is a common problem affecting women of reproductive age. It is a disorder involving a group of hormones in women and is characterized by lack of ovulation, irregular menstruation, hair loss from scalp, excessive body hair growth, acne & comedones on face with or without obesity. PCOS may leads to infertility in women.

Causes

 Genetic factors as well as environmental factors such as sedentary life style, lack of physical activity, over eating, obesity lead to PCOS.

How does PCOS develop in women?

   Normally, in women of reproductive age, every month [28-32 days cycle] ovary releases a mature ovum and it reaches fallopian tube. Ovum is released from an ovary between the 14-17th day after last menstrual cycle in every women. If this ovum fertilize with sperm after sexual intercourse, pregnancy happen. If fertilization doesn’t happen& not progressing to pregnancy the ovum is lost with menstruation. But menstruation doesn’t happen in women having PCOS.

    In women suffering from PCOS, the ovaries produce unusually high levels of male sex hormones called androgens. Due to high androgen levels egg [ovum] is not released from ovaries in every menstrual cycle.  So irregular ovulation can also cause small, fluid-filled sacs to develop on the surface of ovaries. This excessive androgen production may cause an imbalance in other reproductive hormones of females as hormonal production and release are interconnected.

High androgen levels may also cause acne and excess body hair growth in women.

  Obesity is seen in PCOS women and it may lead to insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance. Obesity and insulin resistance is closely connected to Polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which body produces insulin but it is not used by cells and tissues to remove blood sugar. So blood glucose level as well as insulin level remains high. An increase in insulin levels is the prime cause which makes your ovaries to produce and release male hormones excessively.

   PCOS is associated with obesity. However PCOS appears in lean women also. Many studies have shown that both lean and obese women with PCOS have insulin resistance.

   Insulin resistance is the most important issue in PCOS which leads to excessive androgen or male hormone production and other symptoms and signs of PCOS. The exact cause of insulin resistance is thought to be genetic.

The insulin resistance in at least 50% of PCOS women appears to be related to excessive serine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor. Serine phosphorylation appears to modulate the activity of the key regulatory enzyme of androgen biosynthesis, P450c17. It is thus possible that a single defect produces both the insulin resistance and the high androgen secretion in some PCOS women.

What are the complications of PCOS?

   Most of the PCOS women may have elevated triglycerides, LDL and decreased HDL in addition to insulin resistance.

Increased level of bad [LDL] cholesterol and elevated triglycerides enhances the risk for heart attack and stroke in women having PCOS.

  Dark or thick skin patches appear on the back of neck, in the armpits, and under the breasts in women with insulin resistance and PCOS. This is called acanthosis nigricans.

How the diagnosis of PCOS is made out?

PCOS is often clinically diagnosed with missing or irregular periods or when failure to conceive happens.

Obesity with acne and comedones [ a form of acne], facial hair growth, dark patches on various parts of body etc. also may raise the suspicion of having PCOS. However, ultra-sonogram of pelvis with hormonal assays is needed to confirm the diagnosis along with clinical symptoms manifested.

How does PCOS affect women’s health?

   The impact of PCOS on women’s health is bad if left untreated. PCOS is a syndrome affecting multiple hormones in women with impact on various organ systems in the long run, if proper treatment and lifestyle modifications are not adopted.

However, proper treatment and life style changes can give very good results in  women having PCOS. These can definitely manage the symptoms and prevent complications. Therefore women need not be scared of this disorder if they are ready to adopt a healthy life style.

    The complications associated with PCOS begin from insulin resistance. Although PCOS is having a genetic cause and it runs in families, the role of obesity and insulin resistance resulting from it cannot be ignored and need to be addressed by proper medications and lifestyle changes.

Insulin resistance is associated with metabolic syndrome [obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol] also.

PCOS  may lead to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol & cardiovascular diseases

   PCOS and insulin resistance may eventually lead to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These are the major complications of PCOS developing in women eventually. Obesity further enhances the health risk for diabetes, cancers, heart attack and stroke in women.

   PCOS affects cholesterol metabolism and thyroid gland functions also. Cholesterol accumulation also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke and arteriosclerosis [clot formation] of blood vessels. Diabetes, another complication of PCOS further increases the risk.

Will PCOS cause increases facial &body hairs?

 Elevated levels of male hormones [androgens] in PCOS women may cause hirsutism or excessive growth of body hairs. Cosmetic treatment is available for removing body hair.

Can PCOS cause hair loss from scalp in women?

  Hair loss from scalp, acne, and acanthosis nigricans [velvety growth on various parts of skin due to insulin resistance] are associated with PCOS. That means, PCOS cause hair thinning.  Medications may help to manage hair loss and insulin resistance along with life style modifications.

Is PCOS a cause of infertility in women?

 PCOS may lead to infertility as it prevents ovulation or release of eggs as the increased androgen [ male hormone ] production in this disorder disrupts the hormonal balance in the body of a woman.

Do PCOS women experience anxiety & depression ?

 In some women anxiety and depression  hav been observed, although it is not clearly understood how PCOS leads to depression. Most probably it might be resulting from the androgen excess and consequent female hormone imbalances.

PCOS leads to obesity and acne, comedones which can also trigger low self-esteem and depression.

Do PCOS enhance the risk of endometrial cancer in women?

 PCOS increases the risk of endometrial cancer due to the prolonged exposure of the uterine endometrium [inner lining of uterus] to unopposed action of estrogen hormone. This is caused by absence of ovulation from high level of androgens in women with PCOS. This prolonged exposure can cause endometrial hyperplasia or thickening of inner lining of uterus and may lead to endometrial cancer.

How  can you find a solution to PCOS?

    According to various research studies a healthy diet and intensified physical activity can help to lose weight and reduce PCOS symptoms. They can also help to reduce the impact of insulin resistance.

Body can use insulin more efficiently if physical activity is increased. Physical exercise, particularly strength trainings can help reduce fat over the central part of the body such as abdomen and chest.

Physical activity, exercise and modified dietary patterns can definitely lower blood glucose levels, and prevent progression to diabetes. All these changes in life style can help normal ovulation also.

Medical treatment for PCOS 

    Medications are also available in modern medicine to cause ovulation. Diabetes is also controlled with medications. Fertility is achieved in most of the cases and in cases with poor results with medicine IVF is a better choice.

 Alternative and complementary medicine

Homeopathic treatment

Homeopathy offers some medicinal treatment to regulate ovulation and menstrual cycle. Medicines are used to manage menstrual irregularities according to the symptoms and signs manifested in the patients.

Homeopathic medicines are prescribed in an individualized way. Acne, comedones, obesity, depression also are treated with medications along with life style and dietary changes.

Homeopathic medications

In homeopathy medicine selection is based on individualization. However certain complications of PCOS and risk factors may have to be addressed within a short period of time using specifically chosen remedies such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood sugar etc. They are also chosen based on patient particulars.

Homeopathic remedies may include :

·       Apis mellifica

·       Bufo rana

·       Lachesis

·       Pulsatilla

·       Natrum muriaticum

·       Nux vomica

·       Sepia

·       Thuja

Homeopathic medications helps to prevent the complications of  PCOS such as infertility, heart attack etc. by improving the hormonal imbalances as well as reducing the level of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose levels etc.

Disclaimer- Please take homeopathic medicines only under the guidance of a qualified homeopathic doctor in appropriate dosage. Over the counter medications may have adverse effects and we do not recommend it as homeopathy requires proper case taking, clinical examination, lab investigations , evaluation and analysis of each case in an individualized manner and selection of most appropriate remedy with proper strength &dosage for cure of any clinical condition.

  References
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19. Homeopathic medical repertory  Robin Murphy