When I was in my thirties, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. (PCOS) is a hormonal balance that affects 5-10% of women ages 11-45 years old. The cause of the disorder is not really known, but it tends t run in families. The ovaries in a woman with PCOS produce too much androgen. Androgen is a male hormone but it is also present in women as well. PCOS women though make an over abundance of this hormone which causes problems with egg production and release during ovulation.

PCOS women also tend to have issues with insulin. They produce too much insulin because their bodies do not use it effectively. This excess insulin produces androgen as well. There are several possible symptoms of PCOS: infertility, excess hair growth, insulin resistance, weight gain / obesity, and skin tags to name a few. A hallmark characteristic of PCOS can be seen on ultrasound of the ovaries. There is often see many cysts on the ovaries often compared in appearance to a “string of pearls”. This is not always seen however. A more reliable diagnosis is made from blood work.

Because PCOS interferes with ovulation it can interfere with fertility. Normally during ovulation the ovaries develop cysts or follicles which usually contain an egg. As the egg develops and matures the follicle containing the egg becomes larger and fills with fluid. When the egg is mature the follicle ruptures and the egg is released into the fallopian tubes for fertilization. In a woman with PCOS the hormonal imbalance often keeps the egg from developing or maturing. So while the fluid filled cysts may develop and even grow, ovulation does not occur. Since ovulation does not occur progesterone is not produced. This lack of progesterone causes irregular or even absent periods.

In order to treat PCOS effectively and restore ovulation, you must first bring your body into balance. While medications such as Metformin are often given to women to try and regulate how your body uses insulin and restore ovulation, this type of medication has many negative side effects, such as severe diarrhea, nausea, and hot flashes. In my experience, these side effects were bad enough that it caused me to actually have to stop the medication. A more natural, ayurvedic approach will achieve the same results in regulating hormones to restore ovulation but without all of the severe side effects.

If you haven’t heard of ayurvedic therapies, I suggest you do some research to learn about the many healing benefits that have been documented over thousands of years to using this approach. Herbs are healing food and along with some common sense techniques of diet, mediation and exercise…you also can experience what it feels like to have balance restored to your mind and body.