PCOS is a very common disorder affecting majority of women of child-bearing age, and is the leading cause of infertility in women. Women suffering from PCOS, experience irregular menstruation, due to presence of small immature egg follicles in the ovaries. This could lead to irregular menstrual cycles, increased testosterone levels, hair growth, acne, obesity, and insulin resistance.

PROBABLE CAUSES AS PER MODERN DATA

 The real cause is still unknown to experts. However, research indicates that the root of the problem is most probably resistance to the hormone insulin, which means you need more insulin than usual to regulate the levels of sugar in the body. The extra insulin causes an imbalance in the hormones that usually make your menstrual cycle run smoothly. Too much luteinising hormone (LH) is produced compared to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which in turn causes the follicles on the ovaries to produce more of the male hormone testosterone than the female hormone oestrogen. The adrenal glands start to produce increased amounts of testosterone as well. Too much testosterone prevents ovulation, along with other symptoms related to the syndrome. Oestrogen is still produced but, because the follicles never get to the point of maturity when progesterone production starts to increase, women with PCOS can be deficient in progesterone. PCOS may be hereditary as well. Studies show that women with a family history of polycystic ovaries are 50 per cent more likely to develop PCOS. SYMPTOMS Irregular, non-existent or infrequent periods within three or four years of starting to menstruate. Light or very heavy bleeding during your period Weight gain Excessive hair growth to varying degrees on your face, chest and lower abdomen Mild to moderate abdominal discomfort during periods Acne Excessive skin growth on your neck or in your armpit, also called as skin tags. Bone pain (Arthralgia) and Hair loss (Alopecia), Thinning of Hair. Constipation, indigestion, flatulence

 SECONDRY DISORDERS DEVELOPING DUE TO PCOS

� High blood pressure Dyslipidemia (high level of blood cholesterol , trigylecrides)

� Cardiac disorders

� Liver disorders

� Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

� Sleep apnea

� Infertilty and Miscarriage

� Thyroid disorders

 TREATMENT BY ALLOPATHY [MODERN MEDICINE]

 Allopathy treats the condition on lines of Hormonal imbalance and the major treatment includes HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) where subsequent hormones are administered after proper evaluation of the patient. Diet and certain exercises are also recommended. Apart from that there is a growing belief that PCOS occurs due to malfunction of the hormone insulin and henc Diabetic drugs like metformin may also be prescribed by your doctor for the same. Surgery is also an option exercised where the ovary is punctured or the cystic tissue obove the ovary is destroyed for better hormonal gain. However all this have their own after effects and you must evaluate all options about it by asking your doxctor and personally researching on the nest. This rule not only applies to Allopathy but also to other streamns of medicine as after all its your body.

 OVARIAN CYST AND CANCER EVALUATION

 Many times in a grown cyst, doctors may order for blood test like CA125, CA15 etc to rule out the cyst turning cancerous. Once found they may advise to do biopsy of the cyst by taking a sample by laparoscopy or even suggest to do complete hysterectomy . Remember there is no direct evidence that these markers are definitive and hence one must not haste in going for invasive procedures as once done they are non reversible. I have found many ovaries go bust after these procedures. Though i am not generalising this, on must take 2-3 opinions before going ahead unless the diagnosis is definitive.

You can try the remedies mentioned below for few weeks to see if there are improvements or consult a good Ayurveda physician to see if this can be reversed naturally. However do exercise all options with proper research and care.

# Take a look at alternative treatment i.e what Ayurveda recommends for this disorder.

Two different women diagnosed with PCOS can have entirely different symptom patterns. Ayurveda refers to the symptom pattern as �kapha if there is weight gain, high blood sugar, hair growth in the body, cold hands and feet, associated with infertility. The symptom pattern may be referred to as �pitta, if the patient experiences menstrual cramps, high blood pressure, acne and heart ailments, while the �vata type of pattern may be associated with weight loss, untimely menstruation, extremely painful menstruation, associated with infertility problems.

While diet is advised for the kapha pattern, exercise and meditation may be required for the pitta, and hormone-stimulating herbal preparations could be required for the vata type.

However, choosing the right herbs, exercise pattern and meditation practice should be done only after consultation with a practitioner, with strong background of natural Ayurvedic healing.

It is said that women with PCOS are prone to experience depression and mood swings, especially when under stress. Therefore, it would be good to set aside few minutes a day for meditation and to pursue activities that you really enjoy, such as reading, watching a good movie, listening to your favorite music, or joining a hobby class. The point here is to choose an activity that is really enjoyable to you.

Herbs that help

Ayurveda offers a range of phytosterols that can help strengthen the functioning of ovaries. Several formulations made from herbs and cow ghee can help balance out hormones. Few such herbs are cinnamon, fenugreek, aloe vera, shilajit, aswagandha, amlakki, honey, vidarikand, kauncha, ashoka, and salam. These herbs are aimed to reduce circulating androgens and improve ovarian and endocrinal functioning.

It may be ideal to include � to 3/4th tsp. of cinnamon into every meal, as it helps control blood sugar levels. Also, flax seed oil, and borage oil, black currant oil, evening primrose oil, fish oil are also recommended. Sesame oil, cow butter and ghee are also used by Ayurvedic practitioners when treating this condition.

A paste made of neem, bail and tulsi leaves (about 20 leaves each) can also be taken once in the morning to reduce insulin resistance. Else, soak a tsp. of fenugreek seeds in water at bed time, and drink it up first thing in the morning.

AYURVEDA APPROACH

 Hormone therapy further depletes the already taxed Endocrinal system and puts it to sleep. The hormones that are meant to be naturally released by the body, now provided with artificial means pushes the body into lazy mode. The HRT treatment may provide excellent results period over a short but over time can lead to irreversible metabolic damage. For a good quality of life relief on following lines must be procured

 1. Weight loss

 2. Proper menstrual cycle, devoid of cramps, good menstrual flow.

 3. Cure from prolonged menses , scanty menses, prolonged menstrual flow are common symptom in such disorder

 4. Alleviation of symptoms like pre-menstrual swelling, hair loss, acne

 5. Good mental health with freedom from irritability, mood swings, indecisiveness�

6. Promotion of fertility with production of healthy eggs and good uterine health

 Following are some useful Ayurveda tips in terms of diet, lifestyle and medicines which help in a major way to alleviate this disorder.

 AYURVEDA MEDICINES

 MEDICINE 1

 Ashwagandha roots (Withania somnifera; entire about 150 gms),

 Arjun bark (Terminalia arjuna; about 70 gms)

 Divide both of these into 30 equal parts. Now boil 1 part every morning in 3 cups of water (approx 150ml) and reduce to 1 cup. Now filter this mixture and add 1cup of cow�s milk to it. Boil the mixture again over a low flame till milk remains. Add 2 cardamoms while boiling. Consume this milk early morning empty stomach. Little sugar can be added for taste. The remaining filtrate of Ashwagandha and Arjun can be used similarly in evening. During summer months, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus var. javanica) can be substituted for Ashwagandha.

 MEDICINE 2

 Deodara [Cedrus deodar] bark 40 gms

 Boil the bark in 500ml of water and reduce it to 50ml. Consume this tea on empty stomach 3 times away. One can use the same bark for all three times or use fresh as per liking. This is very good remedy.

 MEDICINE 3

 Punarnava [Boehravia repens] root 30gms

 Gokshur [Tribulus terresteris] 10 gms

 Prepare an herbal tea as mentioned in MEDICINE 2 and consume fresh 3 times a day on empty stomach

 IF FAILED TO ACHIEVE MENSES WITHIN 30-40 DAYS

 MEDICINE 1

 10gms Nagkeshar (Mesua ferra flower stamens)

 10gms crystal sugar (Khadisakhar, Mishri) 10gms

 Cow�s ghee (Clarified butter from cow)

 Above herbs be mixed and consumed with milk once a day. The above combination is for one day. If the periods do not commence even after this medicine then do not worry. Keep taking the above medicine. Eventually they will come and with proper ovulation.

 MEDICINE 2

Hermal seeds [Peganum Hermala]

 Take 1gm of powdered seeds with milk,

 CAUTION These seeds can cause dizziness in some and hence discotinue or reduce the dose if symptoms occur.

 MEDICINE 3

 Boil 5 gms black sesame seeds in 100 ml water and reduce to 50 ml. Filter add organic jaggery and take 2 times a day empty stomach. This simple remedy can be continued till proper menses is achieved and works most of time. However couple this with diet mentioned below or else one may find increase of heat in the body.

 PROLONGED MENSTRUAL BLEEDING

 Many women who suffer from PCOS suffer from prolonged bleeding once menstrual cycle commences. Pomegranate fruit rind 10gms fresh Prepare a herbal tea as described in MEDICINE 2 and intake 2 -3 times a day

DIET AND LIFESTYLE

 1. Food timings must be fixed.

 2. Salt restriction is another major aspect. Prepare food without salt. Add salt while eating in minimal quantities. Use of natural salt like Saindhav (Himalayan Crystal Salt) gives more benefit

 3. Avoid sleeping after lunch or during daytime. Preferably have you evening meals before sunset or when there is ample sunlight. Avoid eating heavy food after dark. One can have fresh fruits though. Always drink warm water intermittently while having food. This simple practice will help loose weight very quickly.

 4. Strictly avoid Bakery products, chilies, pickle, yoghurt and vegetable belonging to th Solanaceae family [Brinjals, Broccoli]. These products instantly cause swelling in the reproductive system. With regards to diary products keep it to bare minimum, use cow,s milk only diluted with water and medicated with cardamom to cut down risk.

 5. Drink water stored in copper vessel only

 6. Castor oil massage which I recommend to be done regularly. Warm castor by placing bottle in warm water. Massage in circular motion over the ovaries every night. Plus soak a swab in the oil and place it in navel before sleeping. This is very effective. In case of women who have big cyst on a particular ovary can apply castor oil packs. Castor oil packs are different from massage. One can search on the net how to prepare them, hre are plenty of self help videos .

 For prolonged health care it would be recommended to visit an Ayurveda physician and get a customized health plan evaluated. I am also listing certain generic Ayurveda preparations that may be prescribed for the said disorder

� Ashwagandhaarishta, Ashokasrishta, Kumariasav, Chandraprabhavati, Pushyanug churna, Phalghrita, Raupya Bhasma, Vang Bhasma, Abrakh Bhasma, etc. may be advised by your Ayurveda doctor.

� Panchakarma techiniques like Basti, Uttar Basti, Vaman, VBirechan, Nasya are also undertaken

� Certain Yogic exercises like Simhasan, Vajrasan, Shalabhasan, Sarvangasan are also helpful and may be coupled with the above medicines.

 During menses continue above but leave salt and take the menses decoction as additional.

 This is just a sample and will help if followed meticulously. For those trying to conceive have maximum intercourse to simulate ovarian function. More than everything keep faith and patience, do not rush and keep changing physician. Ovarian build up and conception take time and must be gradually proceeded with. Of course each person requires individual treatment and some extra medicine which can only be availed by consulting a good Ayurveda physician , hence do so of conditions improve.

Ayurved

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