PCOS: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a modern-day scourge in women of reproductive age. PCOS can disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycles and make it harder to get pregnant. It can increase your risk for pregnancy complications and miscarriage. The root cause of this condition can be either a lifestyle habit or genetic. Obesity can be either a cause or an effect of PCOS. This aspect of PCOS is rather hard to understand or predict. Ultimately, PCOS is an emotionally distressing problem for women with various physical and physiological consequences.

Symptoms

The various symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular periods or Skipped periods
• Heavy bleeding 
• Mood swings
• Cysts in Ovary
• Obesity
• Acne
• Scanty scalp hair or loss of hair
• Hair growth (hirsutism) – Excessive hair on the face and body
• Insulin resistance leading to Diabetes
• Darkening of the skin
• Headaches

Causes:

The causes for PCOS can either be Lifestyle-related or genetic. There is really no scientific nor clinical clarity on the cause for PCOS. Some of the causes are:

• High levels of male hormones preventing the ovaries from making eggs normally
• Genes – studies have shown that PCOS runs in the family
• Insulin Resistance – Sometimes the body is not able to “utilize” insulin optimally. This causes the body to signal for more insulin to be produced. Excess insulin triggers the ovaries to produce more male hormones
• Inflammation – Women with PCOS have shown to have increased levels of inflammatory markers in their blood. Obese women in general are more prone to having high levels of inflammation

Treatment:

Treatment for PCOS usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise. 

An effective treatment should:

• Be effective in the management of PCOS both in adolescents and women of child bearing age.
• Resolve Diabetic, Androgenic, Metabolic and Evictive (eviction of the cyst) issues that affect Ovulatory and Metabolic functions
• Improve peripheral insulin sensitivity and normalizes weight in obese patients
• Decrease Androgenic features – Normalizes hormonal balances
• Improve ovulatory functions and stimulates ovulation.
• Reduce cyst size and numbers
• Restore hormonal balance
• Regulate menstrual cycle
• Promote overall health
• Reset the body

The following ingredients have an excellent effect on the overall health of a woman as per the table given below:

Sl. No	Botanical Name	Local or Common Name	Ingredient uses and benefits
1.	Asparagus Racemosus	Shatavari	protects the reproductive system in females, helps improve insulin sensitivity, enhances fertility as well.
2.	Momordica Charantia	Karavellaka	Treats digestive disorders, relieves inflammation, boosts immunity, and prevents cancer.
3.	Tinospora Cordifolia	Amrita	Regulate blood sugar levels, boosts sex drive and immunity in females.
4.	Symplocos Racemosa	Lodhra	Reduces uterine disorders. regulates ovarian hormones and improves fertility.
5.	Saraca Indica	Ashoka	Repairs the endometrium and heals the damage inflicted to its sensitive lining due to inflammation. Regulates estrogen levels and helps protect the urinary tract from bacterial and fungal (especially Candida) infections.
6.	Terminalia Chebula	Haritaki	Helps in relieving complications such as constipation, flatulence, colitis, etc.
7.	Vetiveria Zizanioides	Usheera	Relieves fatigue, induces muscle-relaxing and reduces cramping in uterine.
8.	Withania Somnifera	Ashwagandha	Controls mood swings, helps our body in adapting to internal and external stresses.
9.	Eugenia Jambolana	Jambu	Controls blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
10.	Cyperus rotundus	Musta	Promotes healthy, regular menstruation, supports a comfortable, natural flow, helps balance the emotions in the days prior to and during menstruation.
11.	Gymnema Sylvestre	Meshashringi	Maintains uterine health, improves insulin sensitivity.
12.	Terminalia Belerica	Vibhitaki	Improves sugar metabolism, curing digestive complexities.
13.	Zinc nanoparticles	Yashada Bhasma	Zinc is an essential micro nutrient involved in maintenance of more than 500 vital body functions. It is especially important in making sure that the ovum is optimally fertile for formation of zygote when fertilized by the sperm.

Conclusion:

We recommend ONLY AYURVEDIC treatments for ALL gynaecological problems. Allopathic interventions are only temporary and do NOT address the root cause of the underlying issue. Indeed the best treatment for PCOS/PCOD can be found only in Ayurveda.

Narasimham Jammi

Published : November 23, 2020