Home Remedies and Herbs for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects women of reproductive age. It’s considered a condition that affects the female endocrine system and causes hormonal imbalances.^{1 2} In healthy women, the ovaries make and release an egg each month as part of a natural and healthy menstrual cycle. However, in women with PCOS, the ovaries either don’t properly produce an egg or don’t release an egg during the ovulation period of the menstrual cycle.²

It’s common for women to suffer other complications due to PCOS such as enlarged ovaries that contain multiple small collections of fluid called follicles. These follicles develop in each ovary. They can be examined using ultrasound technology.¹ Because PCOS is an endocrine condition, it can severely affect the woman’s hormonal balance, metabolism and overall health and appearance. It can also lead to infertility and commonly results in irregular periods.² Roughly 1 in 10 women of reproductive age suffer from PCOS.²

What Causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

The exact polycystic ovary syndrome causes aren’t yet known. Doctors feel that there may be a few different factors that can contribute to polycystic ovary syndrome causes. These factors include:^{2 3}

• High levels of androgens - Androgens are male hormones, which are naturally produced by women in small amounts. Women with PCOS may have a higher level of males hormones than female hormones, which prevents ovulation.
• High levels of insulin - Insulin is a hormone that controls how food is converted into energy. Many women with PCOS have high levels of insulin due to insulin resistance. This is common in women who are overweight and have poor exercise and eating habits.

Genetics and high levels of inflammation may also cause PCOS.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Symptoms

Polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms include:^{2 4}

• Irregular periods
• Thinning hair or growing facial hair
• Acne
• Weight gain
• Darkened skin along the neck and underneath the breasts
• Skin tags

Polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms typically begin presenting themselves when a woman first starts menstruating. In other cases, polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms may develop later during reproductive years due to weight gain or lifestyle changes.⁴ Polycystic ovary syndrome natural treatments are available to help improve symptoms and regulate periods.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/basics/definition/con-20028841
2. https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/basics/causes/con-20028841
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/basics/symptoms/con-20028841