Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Homeopathic approach towards management of PCOD is constitutional, taking into account the presenting complaints along with physical, mental and genetic make-up that individualizes a person. Homeopathic medicines which act at root level can bring back deviations of hormonal system back to normalcy and in many cases abolish the need for exogenous hormones with their side-effects and complicating surgical procedures. Moreover, with this hormonal harmony, chances of conception increase significantly. The complete cure of PCOS is a time-consuming process and it cannot be expected in a few days. It requires complete observation regarding the change of symptoms in the patient and frequent clinical follow-ups.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a condition in which a woman’s levels of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are out of balance. This leads to the growth of ovarian cysts (benign masses on the ovaries). PCOS can cause problems with a women’s menstrual cycle, fertility, cardiac function, and appearance.

Causes PCOS

While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, doctors believe that hormonal imbalances and genetics play a role. Women are more likely to develop PCOS if their mother or sister also has the condition.

Overproduction of the hormone androgen may be another contributing factor. Androgen is a male sex hormone that women’s bodies also produce. Women with PCOS often produce higher-than-normal levels of androgen. This can affect the development and release of eggs during ovulation. Excess insulin (a hormone that helps convert sugars and starches into energy) may cause high androgen levels.

Symptoms of PCOS

Symptoms of PCOS typically start soon after a woman begins to menstruate. The type and severity of symptoms varies from person to person. The most common characteristic of PCOS is irregular menstrual periods.

Because PCOS is marked by a decrease in female sex hormones, this condition may cause women to develop certain male characteristics, such as:

• excess hair on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes
• decrease in breast size
• deeper voice
• thin hair
Other symptoms include:
• acne
• weight gain
• pelvic pain
• anxiety or depression
• infertility

While not symptoms of the disease, many women with PCOS have other concurrent health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. These are linked to the weight gain typical in PCOS patients.

Diagnosis of PCOS

There is no definitive test for PCOS. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms and perform tests to rule out other possible conditions. Your doctor will perform a physical and pelvic examination to look for signs of PCOS, such as swollen ovaries or a swollen clitoris.

Blood tests to measure hormone levels are typically ordered, as well as:

• thyroid function tests to determine how much of the thyroid hormone your body produces
• fasting glucose tests to measure your blood sugar levels
• lipid level tests to assess the amount of cholesterol in your blood

A vaginal ultrasound allows your gynecologist to create real time images of your reproductive organs. A pelvic laparoscopy is a surgical procedure in which your doctor makes a small incision in your abdomen and inserts a tiny camera to check for growths on your ovaries. If growths are present, your doctor may take a small tissue sample (biopsy) for further examination.

Potential Complications of PCOS Women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing:

• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• high cholesterol
• anxiety and depression
• sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing periodically during sleep)
• endometrial cancer (cancer caused by thickening of the lining of the uterus)
• heart attack
• diabetes
• breast cancer

If you become pregnant, your doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Women with PCOS have a higher rate of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and premature delivery. They may need extra monitoring during pregnancy.

The earlier your PCOS is diagnosed and treated, the lower your risk of developing these complications. Avoiding tobacco products and participating in regular exercise can also reduce your risk of some of these comorbidities. Talk with your doctor about what PCOS means for your overall health and how you can prevent serious complications.

Homeopathic treatment for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Sepia: The menstrual symptom for Sepia is late and scanty menses. In most of the cases, this is accompanied by bearing down sensations in the pelvic region. The ovaries remain enlarged with fluid-filled cysts in them. It acts very efficiently to regulate the menstrual cycle to appear at the proper expected time. Sepia can also be considered to treat infertility cases due to PCOS. Abnormal hair growth on the face, especially on upper lips, can also be well controlled. Other general symptoms to look for before taking Sepia are sensitivity to cold air, mental irritability, and indifferent behaviour towards loved ones.

Pulsatilla: In females who suffer from suppressed periods for a long duration. In women requiring Pulsatilla, the periods when they appear remain very scanty and extremely painful. Pulsatilla removes the obstacles that cause the periods to be suppressed and the periods start to flow normally. It is of great help for young girls at puberty who suffer from PCOS with irregular periods. The physical general symptoms to consider for using Pulsatilla include the total absence of thirst and a desire for cool open air. Open air overall seems to provide relief to the patient. And in the mental sphere, the significant features to take note of are mild, sensitive nature with weeping tendencies. Such a woman weeps at the slightest instance and feels somewhat better when given consolation.

Calcarea Carb: When a woman with PCOS suffers from profuse periods that are prolonged more than the usual duration. The women with PCOS facing the problem of weight gain and obesity are also the candidates requiring Calcarea Carb. It helps such women in reducing the excessive weight gain very efficiently. The first is excessive sweating on the head. The second is extreme sensitivity to cold air. And the last is a peculiar craving in eating habits like a desire for boiled eggs and in a few cases, strange things like chalk and lime.

Natrum Mur: Women with PCOS who have irregular and suppressed menstrual cycles. It should also be considered for women with difficulty in conception due to PCOS. The important symptoms to look out for while using Natrum Mur are excessively hot sensation, aversion to heat of sun and craving for extra salt in the diet. The mental picture that needs to be considered includes reserved nature of patient, weeping spells especially when alone and worsening of symptoms when sympathy is offered.

Thuja Occidentalis: when a woman suffers from retarded menstrual flow with multiple cysts in ovaries. Thuja has the innate ability to dissolve abnormal growth or accumulation anywhere in the body. Thus, it has the supreme power to dissolve cysts also. Most women requiring Thuja have cystic growths more pronounced in the left-side ovary. Thuja is also of great help in treatment of extreme hair growth on unusual parts in women due to hormonal imbalance.

Homeopathic medicines for suppressed or absent menses: Pulsatilla, Kali Carb and Senecio:

Pulsatilla is the top Homeopathic medicine for most cases of suppressed menses and proves successful in bringing back the menstrual period.

Kali Carb is a very beneficial medicine when the menses are suppressed altogether for several months.

Senecio is the ideal Homeopathic medicine when the menses are suppressed but the woman feels that menses are about to come. In such cases, the complaints related to menses are present like heaviness or pain in pelvis region and nausea, but the menstrual flow is absent.

Homeopathic treatment for scanty and short duration of periods in PCOS

Pulsatilla, Sepia and Senecio: The short duration of periods may vary from a few hours to one or two days.

Euphrasia, Coccus Cacti and Psorinum: For menses remaining only for a few hours

Sepia and Pulsatilla: periods of one-day duration.

Homeopathic remedies for polycystic ovarian syndrome with irregular menstrual cycle

Natrum Mur, Pulsatilla and Sepia: are the top polycystic ovarian syndrome medication in homeopathy. Women can benefit with the use of any of these medicines depending upon the constitution. Please remember, regularising the menstrual cycle is not an overnight issue. It takes a lot of patience and time to bring about a change.

Homeopathic treatment for polycystic ovarian syndrome for reducing excessive hair growth in women with PCOS

Sepia: is preferred if there is hair growth on upper lips.

Oleum Jecoris Aselli: For hair growth on chin

Thuja: for excessive hair growth anywhere on the body, be it the face or arms and legs.

Homeopathic medicines Sulphur and Silicea for treating acne or pimples in PCOS

Both Sulphur and Silicea are equally helpful Homeopathic medicines for treating acne in women with PCOS.

Sulphur brings about excellent results in most cases of acne. The acne may be painful or may itch in persons requiring Homeopathic medicine Sulphur.

Silicea is to be considered when the acne contains pus and they are deep-rooted.

Homeopathic medicines for dealing with obesity in women due to PCOS

Calcarea Carb, Graphites and Ammonium Carb: Which of these medicines to take is chosen as per the case demands.

Homeopathic medicines for cysts in PCOS

The isolated presence of cysts in the ovaries in no way means that the woman is suffering from PCOS unless the other significant symptoms are experienced. The symptoms are mainly menstrual irregularities and abnormal hair growth, acne, obesity and difficulty in conceiving. The Homeopathic remedy is chosen not on the basis of cysts but rather on each patient’s symptoms, though the cysts may provide help in making the choice of medicine. To take an example, the presence of cysts predominantly in the right ovary suggests the use of Lycopodium, Belladona and Apis Mellifica. And if the cysts occupy the left ovary- Thuja Occidentalis and Lachesis

Homeopathic cure for Infertility, Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension

The Homeopathic mode of treatment also provides help in these conditions associated with PCOS. The treatment for these conditions is always based upon the constitution of the patient and the medicines vary for each patient, depending upon the particular symptoms.