Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition that affects the ovaries (the organs in a woman's body that produce eggs). In PCOS, the ovaries are bigger than average, and the outer surface of the ovary has an abnormally large number of small follicles (the sack of fluid that grows around the egg as it matures prior to being released from the ovary).
In bad cases of PCOS these follicles remain immature, never growing to full development to produce an egg capable of being fertilised. For the woman this means that she rarely ovulates (releases an egg) and so is less fertile. In addition, she does not have regular periods and may go for many weeks without a period (a condition known as “amenorrhoea”). Other features of PCOS are excess weight and excess body hair and thinning or loss of hair on the head.
Doctors often offer medication to control these issues. However, taking Metformin (the drug commonly prescribed to help weight loss), or Dianette (the contraceptive pill which regulates periods) often has side effects. Moreover, these drugs do not teach either the patient or the patient's body how to deal with the root cause of the problem. Taking these drugs simply deals with the symptoms, and when the drugs are withdrawn, these symptoms will often reoccur.
While PCOS itself is not a cause of infertility, the symptoms associated with the syndrome can make it difficult to conceive naturally through irregular ovulation or the absence of ovulation. If these symptoms can be arrested then natural conception may well be a possibility, depending on the many other factors that affect fertility.
Naava Carman has a special interest in dealing with PCOS. She has found that a multi-dimensional approach to treating the condition, hormonally, aerobically, nutritionally, metabolically and emotionally, had yielded the best results for the many patients that have consulted her over the years. Although she would never suggest that she can “cure” PCOS, both Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine support the idea that a change of eating and exercising habits will go a long way to help patients take control of their health and reduce the symptoms of PCOS.
Naava’s approach will begin with testing to confirm that a PCOS diagnosis is correct. Having taken a full medical history Naava may recommend tests such as:
- female sex hormones (at a certain point in the cyce);
- male sex hormones;
- sex-hormone-binding globulin;
- glucose;
- thyroid function tests;
- other hormones, such as prolactin; and/or
- ultrasound examination.
Initial investigations can normally be undertaken through an NHS GP who may also be able to arrange an ultrasound scan. For private treatment Naava refers to a leading consultant gynaecologist and can facilitate hormonal testing through The Doctors Laboratory.
Alongside diet, exercise and oAlongside diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors Naava is likely to suggest treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine through acupuncture and herbal medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine sees PCOS as being caused by an imbalance in the body’s
Qi (energy). The root causes of PCOS are therefore seen as a combination of “excess” and “blood stasis” and “phlegm damp” affecting the uterus together with “deficiency” in the “kidney yin”, “kidney yang” or “blood deficiency”. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are therefore used to correct this imbalance through strengthening the qi where there is deficiency and resolving the areas of excess qi. As with all Traditional Chinese Medicine the treatments are tailored to the individual patient’s history and symptoms.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complementary therapy and the Fertility Support Company does not advocate it as an alternative to Western medicine. If you are in any doubt about your health or symptoms you are experiencing you should consult your doctor. The Fertility Support Company and its practitioners do not claim to “cure” PCOS or any other ailment.
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