Symptoms of PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a relatively common health problem affecting between 5-10% of women of childbearing age. When untreated, PCOS can affect a woman’s overall health, appearance and ability to get pregnant. This health problem affects women of many ages and ethnicities, but risks are usually higher in women who are obese and/or have direct relatives who have suffered from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
As one of the many different endocrine disorders – which affect the endocrine system’s ability to release specific hormones – PCOS can be the result of several causes. Regardless of the cause, the most common symptoms of those affected by PCOS are:
Irregular menstrual cycle:
Before proper PCOS Treatment, many women experience irregular periods, occurring more often or stopping altogether.
Excess body and/or facial hair:
Majority of women with PCOS notice hair growth in places where, typically, only men grow body hair.
Weight gain:
PCOS patients tend to gain weight quickly and have trouble losing weight, too.
Acne and other skin ailments:
PCOS can lead to acne in women of all ages and it is also common to see dark spots on the skin, especially under the arms, breasts and groin.
Thinning hair:
PCOS is known to cause changes in hair growth, often leading to thinning or even balding.
There are several recommended ways to lessen or eliminate the symptoms, among them natural PCOS treatment, such as acupuncture. Natural treatment can provide relief without the side effects of other medical options.
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What Causes PCOS?
As with most endocrine disorders like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the causes can be vast and may vary from person to person. However, the two most common causes of PCOS are excess insulin and excess androgens.
Excess Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that helps process food and protein intake. When an individual has PCOS, the body has trouble processing the insulin and patients experience higher levels of insulin in their blood. This can cause the symptoms listed above and can also lead to type II diabetes, especially in patients with a family history of diabetes.
Excess Androgens
Androgens – which are regularly referred to as “male hormones” – are typically seen at higher levels in women affected by PCOS. When a woman has higher-than-normal levels of androgens, it causes problems with fertilization and the regular release of eggs from the ovaries.
PCOS may also be hereditary and/or can be the result of low-grade inflammation. Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of the disease are treatable through various practices and medicine, including natural PCOS treatment such as acupuncture.
Complications Resulting From PCOS
Without PCOS treatment, complications can arise that will affect women more severely over time. Among the more serious complications are infertility, miscarriage, gestational diabetes and chronic uterine bleeding. Other problems include metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and weight gain. The good news is that most of these results have been reduced by managing PCOS naturally.
PCOS Treatment Options
PCOS Prescriptions
When it comes to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, most doctors prescribe medicine to help control symptoms and complications, using everything from birth control medication to prescription hormones, such as progestin. Doctors also commonly prescribe Metformin, which is known to help lower insulin levels and assist in weight loss and diabetes prevention.
Functional Medicine for PCOS
As far as more natural PCOS Treatment, patients have found success using a variety of vitamins and supplements. Functional Medicine and Clinical Nutrition can work to uncover underlying issues through diagnostic testing, and then implementing lifestyle and dietary changes.
For example, women who take more vitamin D and calcium tend to see improvements in menstrual cycle abnormalities. Other natural PCOS treatments include an increased dose of omega-3, chromium and magnesium.
PCOS and Acupuncture
Patients also tend to see improvements when combining their PCOS and acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture for PCOS and other endocrine disorders has proven to be a successful way to promote proper functions of the reproductive system and lower the number of androgens found in a woman’s body.
Plus, when treating symptoms with acupuncture, there are less side effects than traditional medicine, which can cause even more discomfort along the way. By utilizing more natural PCOS treatment, patients can find holistic approaches to resolving the cause as opposed to treating one symptom at a time.
How To Get Diagnosed and Treated for PCOS
With so many treatment options – both natural and medicinal – the best remedies will begin with consulting a health professional. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can affect everyone differently, so you may need help in designing the best solutions for your symptoms. From dietary assistance to acupuncture, healthcare professionals like those at Chicago’s Aligned Modern Health can find the best custom-fit resolutions for your specific needs.
For women suffering from PCOS, treatment can be life changing; consult with a trusted healthcare professional in your area for assistance in getting and staying healthy. Fill out the form below to schedule an appointment.
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