Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a fairly common hormonal condition that affects women during their reproductive age. It usually starts during adolescence, but the symptoms tend to fluctuate over time.
With this disease, many small sacs of fluid develop along the outer edge of the ovary, which is known as cysts. These small fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs, which are called follicles, and they fail to regularly release eggs.
PCOS causes hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, excess androgen levels and cysts in the ovaries. Periods become irregular because of lack of ovulation, which makes getting pregnant difficult.
This is a chronic condition and so far, cannot be cured. Some symptoms, however, can be improved through lifestyle changes, medications and fertility treatments.
Another variation of this condition is bilateral polycystic ovaries, which is characterized by the presence of multiple small cysts on both ovaries.
While the reason as to why PCOS happens are unknown, there are a few factors which might play a role.
Insulin resistance: insulin is a hormone which is made by the pancreas. The hormone allows cells to use sugar, which is the body’s primary energy supply. If the cells become insulin resistant, then blood sugar levels go up, which causes the body to make more insulin to try to bring down the blood sugar level. Too much of this hormone causes the body to make too much of androgen, which is a male hormone, which can in turn lead to trouble with ovulation.
Low-grade inflammation – in response to infection or injury, white blood cells make substances in response to infection or injury, known as low-grade inflammation. According to research, people with PCOS have a type of long-term, low-grade inflammation which leads to polycystic ovaries to produce androgen and can lead to heart and blood vessel problems
Heredity – according to research, certain genes could possibly be linked to PCOS and having a family history of the disease may play a role in developing the condition
Excess of androgen – with PCOS, ovaries may produce high levels of androgen. Having too much of this hormone interferes with ovulation, which means that eggs don’t develop on a regular basis and aren’t released from follicles where they develop. Excess androgen can also result in hirsutism and acne.
Many complications are created due to PCOS, particularly those related to obesity, body image and infertility, which can lead to mental health challenges and social stigma.
Some other complications are:
Pelvic exam: during a pelvic exam, reproductive organs are checked for masses, growths or other changes
Blood tests: blood tests are done to measure hormone levels, which can exclude possible causes of menstrual problems or androgen excess that might mimic PCOS. Other blood testing can also be done, such as fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as, glucose tolerance test to measure the body’s response to sugar (glucose)
Ultrasound: ultrasound can check the appearance of ovaries and thickness of the uterus’s lining. A transducer (wand-like device) is placed in the vagina, and it emits sound waves that are translated into images on a computer screen
The ultrasound picture is not always clear and some women with PCOS may have an ultrasound scan that does not demonstrate polycystic ovaries.
If you have a diagnosis of PCOS, the doctor might recommend more tests for complications, which include:
PCOD (Polycystic ovary disease) is a hormone imbalance which causes ovaries to produce immature eggs, which can lead to swollen ovaries and hormonal imbalances. These eggs can cause irregular menstrual cycles and infertility. It can be caused by poor lifestyle, obesity, stress and hormonal imbalance.
Herbs such as Guduchi, Gokshura, Ashoka, Lodhra and Shatavari help in managing PCOS, as these herbs are good for the regulation of the menstrual cycle, balancing hormones, and overall beneficial for reproductive health.
Women who have PCOS should consume figs, dates, raisins, pears and plums, as well as seasonal fruits and berries
Ragi and other grains should be consumed
Foods to be avoid: spicy, fermented, dairy, buttermilk, artificial sweeteners and foods high in sugar or added sugar
Detoxification therapies such as Basti (medicated enema) and Virechana (therapeutic purgation) can help with the removal of toxins and rebalance doshas.
A healthy lifestyle plays a major part for women who have PCOS. Getting proper sleep, exercising, yoga and meditation are beneficial.
Asanas and Pranayama are good for reducing stress related to PCOS, and can keep you relaxed.
Starting with Nad Pariksha, Jiva’s certified Ayurvedic doctors use this traditional pulse diagnosis to detect imbalances and assess organ heath, which is crucial for the diagnosis of PCOS accurately.
Understanding the unique physical and psychological pattern allows us to create a PCOS treatment plan that not only addresses symptoms but also promotes lasting health.
Jiva’s practitioners investigate the progression of PCOS by examining hygiene, dietary habits, lifestyle and mental health factors. This thorough analysis helps in identifying specific triggers that need to be addressed for targeted, individualised treatment.
A detailed PCOS treatment plan is then created, which consists of diet modifications, lifestyle adjustments, herbal medications and specific therapies which aim to restore dosha balance and enhance reproductive health.
Continuous tracking of the effectiveness of the treatment allows us to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that you achieve the best results from your personalised Ayurvedic Treatment for PCOS with Jiva’s ongoing support.
87% of patients rate us excellent in service.
78% of patients saw significant improvement in 3 months of treatment.
92% of patients stopped allopathic medicines completely.
Exercise can be a big help to manage PCOS, as it improves metabolic and reproductive health. Some exercise types that are recommended for PCOS are:
Yoga is a great help for managing PCOS as it is a natural way to restore balance and bring peace of mind, which can help with reducing stress and other negative impacts of PCOS.
Some asanas which are good for PCOS management are: seated spinal twist (Bharadvajasana), moving the grinding wheel (Chakki Chalanasana), cobra (Bhujangasana) and many more.
PCOS ayurveda treatment typically focuses on herbs, diet and lifestyle therapies such as yoga and meditation. This is a holistic approach which helps a woman with PCOS mentally, physically and emotionally.
While there is no cure for PCOS, there are treatments that help with the management of symptoms. Treatment depends upon the symptoms and whether or not you want to become pregnant.
There are many ways in which you can improve your chances of getting pregnant with PCOS naturally. These include: