September is PCOS Awareness Month - How can naturopathic medicine help?
I know I typically write about topics relating to running and endurance sport but September is PCOS awareness month, so I want to shed some light on the condition! And alas, runners and athletes can be affected by this syndrome too. PCOS, which stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, is a condition that affects approximately 5-10% of women of childbearing age. There’s still no clear known cause of PCOS however it involves a constellation of various hormonal and metabolic imbalances.
What are the signs and symptoms of PCOS?
Individuals with PCOS may have any combination of some of the following signs and symptoms:
Irregular periods, especially periods which occur more than 35 days apart
Difficulty getting pregnant
Signs of high androgen hormones (such as testosterone) presenting as hirsutism (male pattern facial and body hair - see the Ferriman-Gallwey scale for more information https://education.endocrine.org/ferriman-gallwey-hirsutism-system) and acne, especially cystic acne lesions on the lower jawline
Enlarged ovaries and/or cysts on the ovaries
How is PCOS diagnosed?
PCOS is typically diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria:
Diagnosis is made when the person has at least 2 of 3 criteria:
1. Oligomenorrhea - menstrual cycles (the number of days from one period to the next) longer than 35 days but less than 6 months apart
2. Clinical signs or blood tests showing hyperandrogenism
3. Polycystic ovaries (an ovary containing 12 or more follicles, 2-9 mm in diameter or an ovary with a volume greater than 10 ml) on a transvaginal ultrasound
Additionally, all other causes of your unique signs and symptoms must be ruled out. This includes things like thyroid dysfunction, high prolactin (a hormone responsible for milk production in lactating women), pregnancy, and nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a condition affecting your adrenal glands - 2 small glands that sit on top of the kidneys) among others.
What lab tests should be run in patients with PCOS?
Once PCOS has been diagnosed, there are some blood tests (that naturopathic doctors can order!) that should be run. These include measuring your blood lipids (cholesterol), blood glucose levels and you should have regular blood pressure measurements done as well. This is because folks with PCOS can have comorbidities (health conditions that happen at the same time as another) affecting the cardiovascular system and blood sugar control.
Are there any natural treatments for PCOS
Since PCOS is a syndrome, individuals present with varying symptoms thus treatment must be targeted at each unique person’s presentation. That being said there are some naturopathic treatments that a naturopathic doctor can suggest to help improve PCOS.
Firstly, regular moderate-intensity exercise is important for folks with PCOS. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the severity of PCOS symptoms but it may also reduce the cardiovascular risks mentioned above. Secondly, certain foods may reduce symptom severity for patients with PCOS. These foods include flax seeds, nuts (including almonds and walnuts) and fish, which should be eaten in specific doses so that they can have a therapeutic effect as directed by a naturopathic doctor.
Finally, there are several supplements and herbal medicines that can be helpful in alleviating symptoms and improving hormonal health in individuals with PCOS. However, these products should be recommended by and used under the direction of a licensed and knowledgable health care provider. Just because supplements and herbs are “natural” does not make them safe for everyone. As well, acupuncture can be helpful in many menstrual concerns including PCOS.
Have you been given a diagnosis of PCOS or think you may have PCOS? Let’s chat! https://www.ndbri.com/schedule-appointment
References:
PMID: 28850273
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
