This article was medically reviewed by Shahzeen, B MedSc/MHumNutr. Shahzeen is a registered nutritionist and PCOS expert. She is educated with a B MedSc/MHumNutr and helped over 300 women reverse their PCOS symptoms. Connect with her on Instagram or through her website.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is an endocrine disorder caused by an excess of male hormones, which causes an imbalance in the female body and it’s far from uncommon – currently it affects around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. There are three main symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome – ovarian cysts, where the ovaries enlarge and produce multiple fluid filled sacs around the eggs, irregular or missing periods, and high levels of the male hormone Testosterone. PCOS sufferers have a quadruple chance of developing type 2 diabetes and a doubled chance of developing metabolic syndrome.
They may also experience infertility, light periods, excessive body or facial hair, acne or oily skin, weight gain and male pattern baldness, though not every PCOS sufferer will experience all of these symptoms and some may not even have cysts.
So what exactly causes someone to develop PCOS?
The answer is, no one precisely knows, though multiple studies have shown that many women who suffer from the condition have insulin resistance and can’t use insulin efficiently, so their levels become elevated, as it builds up in the body. It’s also thought that there could be a genetic link to the condition, as it’s not unusual for several female members of one family to suffer from the disorder. Obesity can worsen the issue, as it increases levels of insulin, and as too much insulin can spike androgen, a male hormone, in women, this can cause symptoms like infertility, facial hair, and male pattern hair loss.
Some symptoms of PCOS are treated using conventional medicine, whether to stimulate ovulation, reduce excess hair, or prevent hair loss but these medicines often come with a raft of side effects and typically only improve one area. While there is no known overall cure for PCOS, there are several powerful all-natural dietary, lifestyle, and supplemental changes you can make that will significantly ease your symptoms and help to manage them.
No matter how long you’ve been struggling with PCOS, there are things you can do to improve your symptoms – and we’ll shortly be revealing the best natural treatments suggested by nutritionists. These effective treatments range from lifestyle changes like exercising, to supplementing with herbs and vitamins that will balance out your hormones – ensuring you improve your quality of life and better manage your PCOS symptoms.
