At BionwoRx, we’ll work with you to pinpoint the cause of your PCOS and treat it naturally and effectively.

Menopause and perimenopause

A natural approach to treating PCOS.

Are you curious about the functional medicine approach to managing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? This page covers:

Understanding your hormonal condition

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects 7-10% of American women of childbearing age. In the U.S., an estimated 5-6 million women live with this common endocrine disorder.

PCOS arises from a hormonal imbalance, specifically an excess of male hormones, which can lead to infertility and other symptoms. This active condition is treatable, and many women with PCOS are able to manage their symptoms and lead healthy lives.

PCOS

Discovering a permanent PCOS treatment.

Want to treat PCOS naturally and permanently? Our practitioners take a holistic, whole-body approach to address the underlying causes of your hormonal condition. This includes addressing factors like family history, genetics, hormone levels, diet, activity levels, smoking, and alcohol intake.

By tackling the root issues, we’re helping our patients achieve lasting results they’ve been struggling to find through conventional medicine alone. Our integrated, natural treatment plan offers a more permanent solution to managing polycystic ovarian syndrome.

At BionwoRx, we’ll work with you to pinpoint the cause of your PCOS and treat it naturally and effectively.

What are the signs and symptoms of PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome arises from a hormonal imbalance, with the body producing excess male hormones called androgens. These elevated androgen and insulin levels in people with PCOS can trigger a variety of troubling symptoms, from acne and stubborn weight gain to unwanted facial hair.

Beyond these physical effects, polycystic ovarian syndrome may also disrupt the menstrual cycle. Many with the condition don’t ovulate regularly, leading to irregular periods. An ultrasound may even reveal numerous underdeveloped follicles on the ovaries.

PCOS signs and symptoms.

  • Weight Gain
  • Anxiety, depression, and low mood
  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Acne
  • Excessive hair growth on the face, abdomen, or back
  • Thinning scalp hair
  • Insulin resistance
  • High blood glucose or type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Irregular periods
  • Infertility
  • Polycystic ovarian follicles
  • Sleep apnea

PCOS can look quite different from person to person, and not everyone with PCOS will experience all the possible symptoms. In fact, polycystic ovarian syndrome symptoms can change and evolve over time. The name “polycystic ovary syndrome” is actually a bit misleading – the dark spots seen on ultrasounds are not true cysts, but rather follicles or underdeveloped eggs within the ovaries. The PCOS guidelines for clinical diagnosis have been adopted universally – they confirm a PCOS diagnosis based on a combination of hyperandrogenism (excess male hormones) and ovulatory dysfunction, without requiring an ultrasound examination of the ovaries for adult women.

It’s important to note that some women may receive a PCOS diagnosis when they actually have hypothalamic amenorrhea. Hypothalamic amenorrhea is a condition where menstrual cycles stop due to disrupted signaling in the brain. Often, when women stop menstruating for a period of time, healthcare providers assume they have polycystic ovarian syndrome. However, while the appearance of the ovaries on an ultrasound can be similar between the two conditions, the treatments are quite different. It’s crucial to get an accurate diagnosis, as the management approach varies significantly between PCOS and hypothalamic amenorrhea.

What causes PCOS?

The exact causes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are still not fully understood, but researchers have identified a range of consistent factors among people with the condition.

As many as 95% of people with polycystic ovarian syndrome also experience insulin resistance, which prevents their bodies from effectively using insulin to transfer glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy. This leads to elevated insulin and glucose levels, with excess glucose being stored as fat. Over half of all PCOS patients will develop type 2 diabetes by age 40.

Additionally, women with a close female relative (mother, aunt, or sister) who has PCOS are 50% more likely to develop the condition themselves.

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Conventional PCOS treatments.

The conventional approach to managing polycystic ovarian syndrome typically tackles each symptom individually. Commonly used treatments for PCOS symptoms like irregular periods, fertility issues, excess hair growth, acne, and weight gain can include:
The common treatments used to manage PCOS symptoms can include:

  • Combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP): Current guidelines recommend the COCP for managing excess hair growth and irregular periods in adults with PCOS.
  • Metformin: This insulin-sensitizing drug is used alongside the COCP to help manage the metabolic features of PCOS, such as high blood sugar and insulin resistance.
  • Letrozole: This is considered the “first-line” medication for inducing ovulation in PCOS patients with infertility and no other fertility factors. It can improve ovulation, pregnancy rates, and live birth rates, while reducing the risk of multiple pregnancies compared to clomiphene citrate.
  • Gonadotropins: These anti-androgen and testosterone-lowering drugs can be used as a second-line treatment for PCOS patients who don’t respond to first-line oral ovulation induction therapy and are infertile with no other fertility issues.
  • Laparoscopic ovarian surgery: This can be a second-line therapy for PCOS patients who are resistant to clomiphene citrate.
  • Weight loss drugs: polycystic ovarian syndrome patients are prone to weight gain due to insulin resistance, and medications can help improve symptoms with sustained weight loss.
  • Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs: polycystic ovarian syndrome is associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety, so conventional medical treatment may include these pharmaceutical options.
  • Acne medications: A range of topical and oral treatments may be explored to manage PCOS-related acne.

The BionwoRx functional medicine approach.

Natural treatment for PCOS.

The functional medicine approach to PCOS takes a multi-pronged strategy. Rather than just masking the symptoms, it seeks to address the underlying causes of the condition. Our PCOS specialist will start by using functional testing methods to determine a range of contributing factors, such as hormone levels, thyroid and adrenal function, and liver health. Then, they’ll develop a personalized protocol, helping you:

Balancing hormones.

If we can restore hormonal balance, the ovaries can resume their normal function. This can regulate menstrual cycles, improve skin health, and reduce new body hair growth. Our practitioner may support this hormonal balance by using bioidentical hormones, and anti-androgen herbs like licorice and white peony. These herbs have been found to stimulate aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. Additionally, inositol combined with folate may help reduce testosterone levels and minimize hormone-related acne and hair growth. Vitamin D can also help normalize elevated Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels, which are often excessive in PCOS.

Supporting thyroid function.

Having an underactive thyroid can increase your risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Interestingly, some common PCOS medications like Metformin can actually have a negative impact on thyroid function.

Since iodine is essential for the health of both your thyroid and your ovaries, boosting your iodine intake through supplements or iodine-rich foods like saltwater fish may be beneficial for managing PCOS symptoms.

Healthy weight loss.

Weight loss can improve insulin resistance, thereby reducing blood glucose and aiding hormonal balance. Current PCOS treatment guidelines recommend 150-250 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity or at least 75-minutes of vigorous exercise per week, including strength training on two non-consecutive days each week. Healthy weight loss can also be supported with a low-GI diet rich in whole foods, while generally avoiding inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy and sugar.

Stabilize blood glucose.

Alongside making dietary and lifestyle adjustments, you can also lower your blood glucose levels by taking certain supplements. Cinnamon, chromium, magnesium, and probiotics are all great options that can help manage your blood sugar.

Reduce stress.

Chronic stress takes a toll on the adrenal glands, causing them to release excess stress hormones. This imbalance can drive up androgen levels, creating a vicious cycle that contributes to mood swings, weight gain, acne, and unwanted hair growth. It also leads to fatigue and exhaustion, making it harder to exercise.

The good news is our practitioner can work with you to personalize a protocol to help reduce your stress levels, re-energize your body, and improve your mood. This may involve a combination of herbal remedies along with lifestyle changes like better sleep, relaxation techniques, and mindset activities.

The key is addressing the root causes of your stress and hormone imbalances. With the right support, you can break the cycle and start feeling better.

FAQs.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects 7-10% of American women of childbearing age. In the U.S., an estimated 5-6 million women live with this common endocrine disorder.

How to treat PCOS naturally?

The best natural approach for PCOS involves addressing the root causes. Start by working with a PCOS-knowledgeable functional medicine practitioner. Our holistic practitioner first uses advanced testing to pinpoint contributing factors like hormone levels, thyroid and adrenal function, and liver health. Then, she’ll create a personalized protocol to help you balance hormones, support thyroid function, achieve healthy weight loss, stabilize blood sugar, and manage stress.

Is PCOS genetic?

If you have a close female relative, like a mother, aunt or sister, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you’re 50% more likely to develop the condition yourself. PCOS is also over twice as common among women of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

The good news is that with PCOS, as with many chronic health issues, your diet, environment and lifestyle choices can influence whether the genetic factors for PCOS actually get expressed. So making healthy changes may help prevent or manage the condition.

What are the first signs of PCOS?

The most common signs of PCOS include acne, stubborn weight gain, excess facial hair, and irregular periods. Seeing our PCOS specialist can help determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Do I have PCOS?

PCOS cannot be self-diagnosed. It’s characterized by hyperandrogenism (excess male hormones) and ovulatory dysfunction, which must be diagnosed by a medical professional through testing.

The term “polycystic ovary syndrome” is misleading because the dark spots seen on ultrasounds are actually follicles or underdeveloped eggs, not true cysts. This is why an ovary ultrasound is not required to diagnose PCOS in women.

It’s also worth noting that some women may be misdiagnosed with PCOS when they actually have hypothalamic amenorrhea – a condition where the brain’s signaling causes menstrual cycles to stop.

Often, when women stop menstruating for a period of time, it’s assumed they have PCOS. While the ovary appearance can be similar, the treatments for PCOS and hypothalamic amenorrhea are different, so proper diagnosis by a functional medicine PCOS practitioner is crucial.

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