Natural Treatment for PCOS

Are you looking for a natural treatment for pcos?

There are many alternatives you can try from changing your diet to consulting a natural health therapist, herbs to massage, or a combination of treatments. If traditional medicine is letting you down it might be time to try something different.

Lisa

Benefits of Massage Therapy

The benefits of massage therapy are numerous, whatever problems you have, and many of the main benefits are going to be particularly helpful to the symptoms of PCOS.

Stressed out? Need a good way to relax and feel better about life? Why not get a massage? Getting regular massages helps relieve the physical and mental stress from your body, leaving you ready to take on new challenges.

Here are some of the great benefits of massage:

Improves immune system functioning
Studies have shown that the number of white cells in your blood increases after a massage. These are the cells that help the body fight diseases. With regular massage, you can have a stronger immune system and get sick less often.

Improves circulation
By relaxing your muscles, blood is able to flow more freely through your veins. Improved circulation gives you a boost of energy for the rest of your day. Plus, increased circulation in the skin can even reduce the appearance of cellulite if done on a regular basis

Reduces pain
When muscles are tight and tense all day long, they eventually become sore. By relaxing the muscles with a massage, you can ease the pain caused by sore, stiff muscles. Plus, increased circulation further helps relieve pain from the area that is rubbed, and can help relieve tension headaches.

Decreases stress and anxiety
Stress is one of the most prevalent, but preventable causes of health problems in modern society. De-stressing is not only a great way to feel better; it also helps you live longer. If you've ever had a massage, you already know how relaxed it makes you feel. With relaxed muscles, decreased pain, improved circulation, your body lets go of all the daily stress you've been holding on to.

Decreases blood pressure
There was a study conducted that showed that a simple, short touch can immediately cause a drop in blood pressure. Combine this with the improved circulation, relaxed muscles, and decreased anxiety and you get a great way to keep your blood pressure low. You should be careful if you have low pressure to begin with; make sure to get up slowly and take it easy after a massage.

Improves mood
Massage has been shown to make you feel better due to many of the reasons listed above. It is so good at improving mood, it has been used for treating depression in women who had recently lost a child. If massage can help with their depression, it can certainly lift a bad mood. So, think a massage might help you but just don't think you can afford it? You should check out massage schools. There you can get a quality massage at an incredibly low price.

So what are you waiting for? Go out and make an appointment for a massage today. You'll be feeling great in no time.

Benefits of Juicing for PCOS

Previously I posted a recipe for cucumber juice. Now I want to explain just some of the reasons juicing is good for those with PCOS.

Essential Nutrients
Juicing is a great way to get your vitamins and nutrients in one simple and effective blast. This is even more important for PCOS sufferers, especially if you are on the contraceptive pill. Trials have shown that the pill can strip the body of nutrients and alter the vitamin and mineral levels of the body. The vitamins and minerals you should be most concerned about are vitamin B1, B2, B6 and B12, folic acid, vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc. Try juicing leafy green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes.

Energy
Many people with PCOS suffer from energy lows and fatigue, partly caused by blood sugar levels dipping and the effects of insulin resistance, but also possibly from the effects of the other hormone inbalances. Raw foods are a great way to get your essential nutrients and boost your energy levels during the day, but not everybody can face plates of raw or lightly steamed vegetables. Juicing those vegetables (and some fruits) will help make those raw foods more palatable and easier to stomach!

Phytochemicals
These are naturally occuring substances that have numerous health benefits (but can not be stored in the body, so you need to eat them on a regular basis). Again, these are important for everybody's health because they are good for the skin and hair, as well as your heart, mental and reproductive health. They are especially important if you have PCOS because they help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and reproductive disorders. Again, those green leafy vegetables are important, as well as tomatoes, blueberries and cranberries.

I hope this has given you just a "taster" of why juicing can be so beneficial to PCOS sufferers.

A word of warning, if you are Insulin Resistant, fruit juices will be quite high in natural sugars (remember it takes a few apples to make a small glass of juice) and will cause your glucose levels to spike. Try to stick to mainly vegetable juices with a little fruit juice mixed in. Secondly, juicing means you are not benefiting from the fiber you would normally get from eating fruit and vegetables so make sure you are getting your fiber elsewhere.

Benefits of Cucumber Juice

Juicing offers many health benefits and is great for PCOS sufferers (find out why and get some more wonderful recipes from Colette Harris's PCOS Diet Book).

Meanwhile, try this juice recipe:

Cucumber Cooler

Half a cucumber, halved lengthways
3 carrots, peeled
3 celery stalks, tops trimmed off

Tip: Vegetable juices are great for overall health. At first it takes a little time to get used to the taste, but eventually you'll get there…. Just think of all those health benefits! Another tip is to mix your juice with a little natural apple juice (juice apples along with the veggies) to give it a sweeter taste.

Juice according to juice instructions and enjoy!

Fruit & Veggie Facts:
Cucumbers are a strong diuretic and may help lower blood pressure. Perfect for when you're retaining water.
Celery contains compounds called pthalides which helps regular blood pressure. Also a good diuretic.
Carrots are great for the skin and eyes.

Let me know what you think and feel free to add your own favorite juicing recipes

PCOS: Secret Lives

The Secret Lives Of Women With PCOS
By Ashley Tabeling

For years thousands of women have incorporated unusual daily rituals and affirmations to manage symptoms that seemed to be unrelated. Some of these rituals might include plucking, shaving, treatments to reduce hair loss, acne creams, diets to fight unexplained weight gain, skin bleaches, and repeated trips to doctors who tell them their irregular menstrual cycles and problems are all in their heads.

For Kimberly Sacs, an earlier diagnosis of PCOS could have eliminated years of misdiagnoses and pain. "My PCOS story began at an early age. I was always the first child in my class to develop— I was considered "overweight" from the age of 8 on. I was told that I was lazy by doctors, offered forms of speed to increase my metabolism and even told that if I didn't loose weight that a doctor might, one day, have to stick a needle in my heart if I had a heart attack."

Eight years later, Kimberly finally received a diagnosis, "At the age of 16 I had a stretch of 6 months without a period. A family doctor gave me a five-day dose of hormones to "jump-start" my period. That worked once, but when it didn't work again and I requested another doctor. A caring and intelligent young intern noticed the correlation of many of my medical conditions—the weight, the depression, and the break in my cycles. She diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)."

Although PCOS Polycystic Ovary syndrome affects up to 10% of women and girls of reproductive age, it is estimated that less than half know they have it! To put this in to perspective, 6% of both men and women have diabetes, which is well known and supported. PCOS, a precursor to diabetes again affects up to 10% of women alone and many medical professional are stil not up to date with diagnosis, treatment and management of PCOS!

What PCOS is, and what it does to women who have it, is complicated to explain as symptoms and severity of the syndrome can vary from person to person. Some of the classic symptoms are drastic weight gain, hair loss, depression, fatigue, thyroid problems, high cholesterol, panic attacks, headaches, dizzy spells, poor memory or muddled mind, sleeping disorders, constant thirst, extreme cravings, insulin resistance, cystic acne, cystic ovaries, menstrual cycles without ovulation, irregular cycles, severe mood swings, high testosterone levels, infertility problems, excess facial and body hair, not to mention a seven times greater risk than an average woman for four major health concerns affecting women in the United States today including heart disease, diabetes, endometrial cancer and stroke.

Many women have experienced the same lack of response as Kimberly did, and are left w with little understanding of PCOS and the best way to treat it. This may be due to the fact that there is n centralized resources for teaching and learning about PCOS!

Deborah Cardoza didn't give her symptoms much thought until she wanted to start a family " I came across a short article in a magazine, I believe, that talked about PCOS and those symptoms fit me! I went to my internist who ran some tests. While the tests didn't support a PCOS diagnosis. I was thin, young, and didn't know much so the only thing I did about my symptoms was to go for laser hair removal, which didn't wind up working and left me to start shaving my face every morning.

Over the next few years I did not give my symptoms much thought until my husband and I decided to start a family. Suspecting I may have problems, we went straight to a reproductive endocrinologist. Pre-IVF testing this time showed I did have PCOS. The doctor put me on an insulin sensitizer to help me lose weight before any cycles to conceive. I wasn't on it for long when my husband and I decided to build our family another way. My weight wasn't a big issue at the time, and I still didn't know all I do now about PCOS."

Prior to a few years ago, PCOS had been largely misunderstood and rarely diagnosed. The information to make a proper diagnosis just wasn't there. Your concerns, in many cases, would have been dismissed. Now the medical community is realizing it is more than menstrual irregularities, it's a lifelong condition that can take years off of your life.

Sarah Yochved- Goldstein like many others who have dealt with PCOS from an early age feels awareness and information about the syndrome are important, "I hope and pray daily that doctors will get more aggressive with treatment, ladies will educate themselves better, and insurance companies will give preventative treatment instead of waiting until a woman needs drastic measures to regain her life! It is my blessings that whoever helps in this, and any woman that educates herself and aggressively takes part in her care will experience some success, whether the return of her health and vitality, or the eventual birth of a child."

The good news is that there is now more information than ever about this syndrome –medical professionals are being trained to recognize the symptoms and know the best way to confirm a diagnosis is sending women to endocrinologists for testing.

"Remember information is the key!," say Ashley Tabeling, Founder of Project PCOS projectpcos.org , a new website a central resource for information, education and awareness for PCOS. She continues, " The more you know about PCOS or any condition, the better you will be at communicating with your medical professionals and understanding what steps you need to take to live a happier and healthier life."

Ashley Tabeling
Founder and COO
Project PCOS - http://www.projectpcos.org

Ashley Tabeling
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) Coordinator
The PCOS Center @
Drexel Center for Women's Health
219 N. Broad Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, Pa 19102
(215)-762-5181

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Tabeling
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Secret-Lives-Of-Women-With-PCOS&id=455125

Link between Fertility Problems and Trans Fats

Recent research from the US on Trans Fats has been making headlines all over the world, and I thought it was important to focus on it here, even though it isn't solely related to PCOS.

I am often asked for help with fertility issues, and now researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have found that these hidden fats can increase the risk of fertility problems by 70 percent or more! That's huge!

Unfortunately, it isn't easy to find out which foods have trans fats in them. They can be found naturally in some red meat and dairy products, but in general they are artificially produced and added to many processed foods in order to extend their shelf life.

Thankfully, research has prompted many companies to announce they will no longer add trans fats to their foods (and hopefully this will include it being added to nutritional information on food packets that still contain them), but there is another answer to avoiding trans fats and that is to avoid processed foods altogether.

The best books I have read discussing the effects of processed foods and food toxins on PCOS are written by Colette Harris. I have listed her books here:

http://www.pcosmatters.com/books.html

I know organic foods can be expensive and we don't always have time to cook from scratch, but the arguments for avoiding toxins and focusing on good nutrition are extremely convincing. Colette Harris is from the UK, so certain foods or weights and measures may not be familiar to you, but the quality of the information is well researched and universal.

http://www.pcosmatters.com/books.html

It's interesting that when we suffer with PCOS we assume that any problems we have (such as problems conceiving) are most likely caused by the PCOS, when sometimes it is worth looking at other aspects of our lifestyle and the world around us.

To your good health,

Lisa

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PCOS and Depression

Can Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Cause Depression?
By Mary Shackelton, MPH ND

Many women with PCOS often experience depression, anxiety and other mood-related disorders. A question that often arises is whether depression and anxiety are a result of having the symptoms of PCOS or whether they are caused by the hormone imbalance related to PCOS.

A study conducted at the University of Chicago Hospital Department of Medicine linked slightly elevated free testosterone (FT) levels with increased rates of mood-related disorders. The study looked at 27 women with PCOS and elevated FT levels and 27 women without PCOS and normal ranges of FT levels.

The results of the study show that women with slightly elevated levels of FT were more likely to be depressed than women with normal or very elevated levels of FT. This is a rather interesting finding because it showed how FT can have a negative effect on mood at slightly elevated levels but not have much of an effect at extremely elevated levels. One thought was that women with extremely elevated levels of FT become accustomed to the high levels and their bodies adjust accordingly. (1)

The study advises physicians to be aware that depression may be a symptom of the hormone imbalance found in women with PCOS. Treatments aimed at treating the cause of PCOS and balancing hormone levels may help many women relieve their depression and anxiety along with other symptoms of PCOS, which can range from infertility and excess facial hair to skin conditions like acne and brown patches and male pattern baldness.

(1) Weiner CL, Primeau M, Ehrmann DA. Androgens and mood dysfunction in women: comparison of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome to healthy controls. Psychosom Med. 2004 May-Jun;66(3):356-62. PMID: 15184695

Dr. Shackelton is a founding partner of Insulite Laboratories. She directs research and development of the formulas comprising the four Insulite Systems and those in development. Her study of the biochemical and physiological reasons for weight gain led to her focus on Insulin Resistance – the abnormal response of insulin to glucose - and its growing number of related conditions.
http://www.pcos.insulitelabs.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Shackelton,_MPH_ND
http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-Polycystic-Ovarian-Syndrome-(PCOS)-Cause-Depression?&id=396281

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Benefits of Exercise on PCOS

Benefits of Exercise on PCOS
By Louise Parker

While there is no scientific proof that exercise helps those suffering with PCOS more than it helps the average person, common sense does tell us that since such a large number of women with PCOS are obese exercise is vital to long-term health.

Exercise helps the body’s cells use sugar for energy, reducing the amount in the blood stream. For PCOS sufferers who are also type-2 diabetic, it’s believed that exercise helps the body use insulin in a more efficient way. But that’s not the only benefit. Exercise has been shown to improve circulation, reduce blood pressure, increase levels of good cholesterol, build muscle and help in weight loss.

Exercise in women with PCOS is also believed to help regulate abnormal menstrual cycles. And although no major studies have been done, exercise is thought to help PCOS sufferers deal with blood pressure issues and even with excessive hair growth due to high levels of male hormone found in women with PCOS.

So, the common sense benefits of exercise are clear. The question is then, what’s the right routine and how do I stick to it? The answer will be different for everyone, but there are a few guidelines you can use. First off, consult a doctor. He or she can help point you in the right direction and make sure you don’t overdo it. The second thing is to keep it fun! Exercise can be so much more than just running around the block until you can’t run anymore, or sitting on a stationary bike in a crowded gym for an hour.

The best way to keep exercise fun and to help make sure that you stick to it is to get an exercise buddy. This way, you can set goals and try to help each other achieve them. You can do tandem exercises like playing basketball or even a spirited game of catch. You can make a list of fun things do to so that every time you exercise, you’re doing something different and things don’t get repetitive and boring.

Also, listen to your body. Don’t overdo things, and if you come back from a day out and you’re sore, it’s ok to take a day off until you feel better.

Don’t be afraid to try unorthodox methods of exercise. Going for a hike in the woods counts just as much as doing a workout tape in front of the TV. Ice skating is a fantastic aerobic workout and can be substituted for a long run. A night out dancing at a club instead of a bike ride works just fine. Don’t be afraid to try new things and keep your exercise routines fresh and exciting. Getting into a rut of doing the same few things over and over is the number one cause of people giving up on their exercise. The most important thing to remember is to just stay active, no matter what. Since PCOS sufferers are prone to obesity, you have to be extra vigilant with diet and exercise to stay in shape.

Louise Parker has an interest in PCOS. For further information on PCOS please visit PCOS or PCOS Symptoms .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Parker

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PCOS and Fertility

PCOS and Fertility
By Louise Parker

Unfortunately, one of the most common side effects of living with PCOS is infertility. Since the ovaries are not able to function properly due to a lack of hormones, having consistent and regular periods are uncommon. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to get pregnant and most sufferers with PCOS struggle to fall pregnant without the help of various fertility medications. These medications come in both natural and drug forms and each have their own side effects. As a last resort, in vitro fertilization has been recommended if natural conception isn’t possible. The best thing a PCOS sufferer can do is to speak to their doctor about what fertility treatment is best for them.

One of the most popular drugs used for sufferers of PCOS is called clomiphene. This drug is often prescribed to women that haven’t had their periods for an extended length of time. Clomiphene, in addition to hormone therapy, has been successful in inducing menstruation for many PCOS sufferers so that pregnancy becomes possible. Studies have shown that between 70-90 percent of women who take the drug ovulate, with a pregnancy rate varying from 30-70 percent.

As with all drugs, there are side effects associated with clomiphene. Users have reported hot flashes, abdominal discomfort (already common in women with PCOS) and blurred vision.

Another popular treatment is hormone injections with hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG can trigger ovulation in women who don’t produce enough of the hormone to trigger it themselves.

A final alternative is what is called gonadotropin therapy. This is also a form of hormone injection that can trick the body into ovulation. This treatment has the highest rate of pregnancy (60%), but 35% of those pregnancies have been shown to end in miscarriage. Also, with this hormone treatment, the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more) is much greater. A multiple pregnancy is considered high-risk for the mother and the babies.

There are natural alternatives to PCOS-induced infertility. While doctors may disagree on the effectiveness of these treatments, if you wish to keep your body as chemical-free as possible, you might want to take these methods into consideration.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of healing pain, stress and pretty much everything else with the use of thin, sharp needles. It is based on the idea that the body should have a balance in the energy that flows through it to remain healthy. If you are experiencing pain or sickness, than your body is not properly balanced. Acupuncture is used to realign the body back to health.

Homeopathic healing is another popular alternative. Trained Homeopaths look to treat the symptoms instead of the conditions since PCOS sufferers all tend to have their own unique individual symptoms. Before any remedies are given, a persons complete family history, their medical history and things like moods, likes, dislikes, sexual history and emotional state are taken into consideration.

The use of herbs as fertility drugs has been around since the beginning of time. Herbs such as liferoot, chasteberry, partridgeberry and red clover show incredible potential to help in fertility treatments.

No matter what path you choose, please know that no treatment is absolute and that the path to parenthood may be a tough one. Be patient and stay positive and you might hear the pitter-patter of little feet sooner rather than later.



Louise Parker has an interest in PCOS. For further information on PCOS please visit PCOS or PCOS Symptoms .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Parker

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Latest PCOS Treatment

Treating PCOS - Current Trends
by Dr Guin Van Niekerk

The introduction of the concept of evidence-based medicine caused a radical overhaul of the way that medicine was practised. No longer was it enough to prescribe treatments based on age-old traditions, or even on anecdotal evidence ("Jack Smith used such-and-such a remedy for his condition, and now he is cured!"). Instead, the scientific method gained prominence, with all old and new ideas being rigorously tested in massive clinical trials. Because of this, treatment modalities are constantly evolving, with trends being developed and either accepted or rejected by the medical community.

Nowhere is this more prominently illustrated than in the attempted development of a consistent treatment plan for polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS consists of a complex and highly variable collection of symptoms, which respond in an almost erratic way to individual treatment modalities. In other words, what works for a certain symptom in one person, may not work for that symptom in another, or may only work to a much lesser extent. Add this to the fact that endocrinologists and gynaecologists differ significantly in their management of PCOS, and you have a recipe for confusion.

However, a few consistently effective treatment strategies have emerged. The first of these targets individual symptoms as and when they occur, whereas the second approach attempts to address the underlying hormonal and metabolic disturbances. These include insulin resistance and its associated long-term risks of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as increased levels of luteinising hormone and consequent elevated free androgen levels. Although the first approach is more commonly used than the second, addressing the underlying problems often leads to a marked improvement in individual symptoms.

Women with PCOS tend to present to their doctors with specific problems. These include hirsutism (with male pattern hair distribution as well as male pattern hair loss), acne, menstrual irregularities, and most distressing of all, infertility. Acne and hirsutism are both due to excess androgens (such as testosterone) and are therefore usually treated by prescribing the combined oral contraceptive, or COC. Some COC's are more frequently used than others, as they contain progestins which are less androgenic than those in other COC's. One of the newer COC's (Yasmin), contains drosperinone, which is actually antiandrogenic.

Use of the COC is not without problems, though. It is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic disease (or clotting problems), including heart attacks and strokes, especially in those with underlying risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol abnormalities and diabetes (which are all very common in PCOS). The COC is not recommended for smokers, especially over the age of 35. Recent studies have shown a possible tendency for the COC to actually aggravate insulin resistance. And the COC is, by definition, not suitable for women who want to conceive. It may therefore be best to reserve the COC for younger women who don't smoke, and who have fewer risk factors, and less severe insulin resistance.

Other medications that have been used with some success in the management of hirsutism and acne include spironolactone, flutamide and cyproterone acetate. Eflornithine is a topical cream which is used for facial hirsutism - it inhibits hair growth. Metformin and the newer insulin sensitisers (such as Actos and Avandia) have also been successful in treating acne and hirsutism, probably also by decreasing androgen levels. It is important to be aware that most acne treatments will only show an improvement after two months, and hirsutism may take up to six months to respond to medication.

Both metformin and the COC have been used to treat menstrual irregularities; metformin having the added advantage of inducing ovulation in many women. Because of this it has been used for the treatment of infertility, with or without clomiphene, which also induces ovulation. Gonadotropins are also used to stimulate ovulation, but should be used with caution in PCOS sufferers, as there is an up to seven-fold increased risk of causing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can be very serious.

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling also stimulates ovulation, and, like metformin, results in the lowering of circulating androgen levels. Metformin also appears to reduce the risk of early miscarriage as well as the risk of abnormalities in the foetus, and prevents the onset of gestational diabetes in a significant number of women who take it during pregnancy.
The reason for the success of metformin in treating most, if not all, the aspects of PCOS probably lies in its ability to target the underlying insulin resistance. This property also targets the more long-term problems associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is reduced. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels are lowered, in this way further reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Unfortunately metformin does not work equally effectively for everyone with PCOS. This is most likely due to the enormous variability of PCOS, especially with regard to the degree of insulin resistance experienced by each individual woman. It seems that, in general, metformin works best for those who have more severe insulin resistance. Having said this, however, it is very difficult to predict anyone's clinical response to this versatile drug, and it may be a good idea for every woman who has been diagnosed with PCOS to have a trial of treatment with metformin, both to assess its clinical effects as well as any potential side effects. Other newer insulin sensitisers may be used instead, but their full effects need to be studied further.
As you can see, treating PCOS is no easy task. Not only are the medications and their effects hugely complicated, they are also being used off code for the time being. In spite of the fact that PCOS is the most common hormonal condition affecting younger women today, there are currently no FDA approved medications for its treatment!

Fortunately there is one final management option that is open to everyone, and that is lifestyle modification. Weight loss works wonders for all the symptoms of PCOS, and the higher the starting body mass index, the more marked the response to weight loss. It's not the easiest option, as anyone with insulin resistance will tell you, but it's cheap and doesn't involve taking tablets every day, depending on what doctors prescribe for you.

As far as PCOS is concerned, lifestyle changes are very underrated. Stopping smoking, a low carb diet, and moderate regular exercise can make an enormous difference both for quality of life, and for long-term risk factors. It's one way in which sisters can do it for themselves!


About the Author
Dr. Guin Van Niekerk qualified as a medical doctor at the University of Cape Town in 1997. It was while working a few years later as a general practitioner that she developed a strong interest in insulin resistance and its associated conditions. She discovered that the concept of insulin resistance was largely unknown to the public. This led to her decision to write the book, "Why Fat Sticks - An Introduction To Insulin Resistance." For m

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What Is Endocrinology?

Endocrinology. It’s a multi-syllabic word that makes many Filipinos want to scratch their heads.

Philippines News - Manila Standard Today - Taking the mystery out of endocrinology - sept19_2006

More and more experts are in agreement now that PCOS is an endocrine and not a gynecological disorder but many of us still don't know what endocrinology is and how an endocrinologist can help us.

The endocrine system is a group of glands that make hormones, which are vital to the natural functions of the body - reproduction, metabolism and growth. An endocrinologist can help restore the normal balance of hormones in your body.

Lisa

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What Is PCOS?

PCOS - or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - is a disorder that affects an estimated 5 to 10% of women of child bearing age, and yet many women still do not understand what it is.Most women receive treatment from a doctor and/or a gynecologist when they believe they might have PCOS or have already been diagnosed, as these specialists can treat the individual symptoms, such as:- problems conceiving- adult acne- facial and body hair- thinning head hair (alopecia)- irregular, painful and/or heavy periods- dark, velvet-like patches around the base of the neck and in other body creases- unexplained weight-gainHowever, it is important to be aware of the underlying cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and seek the help of an endocrinologist.

What is PCOS?

If you think you may have PCOS or have just been diagnosed, you may find this article of interest.

Lisa

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PCOS Conference and Lifestyle

There continues to be growing evidence that “lifestyle” is a key factor for success in addressing medical conditions. PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome - a metabolic disorder that can affect women to cause weight gain, excess facial hair and infertility issues - is just one of those medical conditions for which lifestyle can have a profound impact.The Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association (PCOSA) will host a lifestyle-focused conference for women with PCOS September 15-17 in Denver, Colorado. Leading the conference will be Rochelle Rice, a nationally-recognized speaker, author, and educator. Her work focuses on empowering women by connecting the body, the mind, and the heart through focus, movement, and breath.

Moving Mountains Through Strong Mind, Body and Spirit

I have mentioned the PCOSA conferencer already on this blog. It's taking place next week and this speaker - Rochelle Rice - looks like she will have something very interesting to offer.

Lisa

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PCOS and Obesity

But the conference was also told that some obesity was not caused by overeating.Women with polycystic ovary syndrome were prone to obesity because misbehaving hormones don't quash their appetites, new research by South Australian scientists suggested.Professor Robert Norman, from University of Adelaide's Research Centre for Reproductive Health, will tell the International Congress on Obesity he has identified hormones that behave strangely in women with the condition, keeping them perpetually hungry.

Call for fat taxes | The Courier-Mail

The International Conference on Obesity have covered the problem of obesity in PCOS sufferers...let's hope more medical professionals pay attention to this and look for solutions.

Lisa

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PCOS Petition 2

The PCOS Treatment and Awareness Petition plans to empower the PCOS Community to speak very openly about their struggles, symptoms, and trials to overcome the illness, to help other women and girls understand the syndrome and seek the proper resources to help them manage their lives with PCOS. It hopes to be a driving force in changing the way the public, media and government view PCOS education, treatment and coverage for medical procedures, as a result of PCOS. Robin Brooks Radel, a woman living with PCOS agrees, "I’d like woman to know that PCOS exists and it can cause infertility, high blood pressure, heart disease, increased risk for some cancers, excess facial hair, hair loss, and diabetes I’d like woman to be educated and to pursue good health care. I’d like insurance companies to know that this is an endocrine disorder and therefore prevent them from denying treatment. I’d like my children to understand this disease, as it seems there is a hereditary link. I’d like doctors to understand that PCOS is not a fertility disorder, it is an endocrine disorder, and it can be treated. Maybe someday, it can be cured. Until that day, awareness is the most powerful weapon."The online petition can be found at:http://www.petitiononline.com/pcosweb1/petition.html

Petition for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is Quickly Gaining Signatures and Notice

If you haven't read about this petition yet please read this press release and head over to the petition site if you feel compelled to do so.

Lisa

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Acne Treatment Warning

Almost 90 per cent of patients prescribed Roaccutane (isotretinoin) pills show improvements to their skin, but by taking it they run a risk of developing high levels of triglycerides (fats) and cholesterol in the blood. Tests of liver function show the presence of enzymes that normally signal liver damage.

Top acne drug 'increases the risk of liver damage' - Health - Times Online

I thought this might be interesting (and important) to some of you, since many PCOS sufferers also have to deal with acne problems, and this research suggests that this particular drug could cause greater problems. The article goes on to say:

"The team points out that abnormalities in laboratory tests do not necessarily signify anything serious, but patients with large increases in triglyceride levels are, they say, at greater risk of future ill-health, which could include the set of symptoms known as the metabolic syndrome: obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. They plan further studies to examine whether Roaccutane patients are more prone to these symptoms."

To your good health,

Lisa

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UK PCOS Support and Conference

Verity Conference, Saturday 21 October 2006, Holiday Inn Bristol-FiltonCome along to Verity's next conference in Bristol on Saturday 21 October and hear talks from leading PCOS experts such as Professor Bill Ledger and Doctor Shirine Boardman. You will also have the chance to meet and talk with other women with PCOS. More details and online registration soon."That's the first meeting I have attended, I have found it very informative and will be looking forward to the next one""Only recently diagnosed with PCOS, I found today very informative and it's great to find out that am not on my own""Everyone was so open and honest about their problems, it's been great to feel that there are so many others who understand... a great day"

Verity - The Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome Self Help Group - Home

Verity is a fantastic oganisation. If you are in the UK and looking for PCOS support - check out the website.

Lisa

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Insulin Resistance hope?

Metabolic syndrome, an aging-associated group of disorders that includes insulin resistance, heart disease and high lipid levels, may be treatable thanks to a newly discovered role for a regulatory gene, according to a team of scientists at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research.

Insulin Pathway Component Explains Insulin Resistance, Age-associated Metabolic Syndrome

This is a pretty dry press release which suggests that current research into insulin resistance could have hit a breakthrough. Don't get too excited - it's early days yet - but since insulin resistance plagues many of PCOS sufferers, it could be good news for the future.

To your good health,

Lisa

technorati tags:pcos, polycystic+ovarian+syndrome, polycystic+ovary+syndrome, insulin+resistance, atkins+diet

PCOSA Founder Christine DeZarn

She had married the year before and was trying to get pregnant but couldn't. Her periods were irregular. She was packing on the pounds, and no matter what she did, they wouldn't go away. And suddenly hair was growing on her chin.

"These things were all happening at the same time, and I was very confused," Christine Gray DeZarn recalls. "I thought I was possessed or something."

Doctors didn't connect the problems and neither did she - until she participated in an online forum on fertility problems and came across a woman describing symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS."I immediately identified with everything she had," DeZarn says.

KRT Wire 08/04/2006 Hormone disorder can be difficult to diagnose, treat

This is an interesting article on PCOS and Christine DeZarn - the founder of the PCOSA. I recently had the good fortune to interview Christine on both of these subjects and it was enlightening. Even after all my years of researching the subject, she was still able to reveal information I didn't know or wasn't sure about.

If you would like access to the audio interview, please sign up for the PCOS Matters newsletter using the form in the top right hand corner of this blog or by visiting http://www.pcosmatters.com. You will be able to download an introduction to PCOS featuring Christine, and as well as hear other audio from medical, nutrition and natural health experts, before I direct you to the full interview with Christine which you can download and listen to free.
To Your Good Health,

Lisa x

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New Audio Report

There's a new audio report available on PCOS. Sign up for the PCOS Matters newsletter - either in the top right corner of this blog or by visiting http://www.pcosmatters.com - and you will be given directions on how to download it.

Lisa

technorati tags:pcos, polycystic+ovarian+syndrome, polycystic+ovary+syndrome, pcos+report