Causes

CAUSES

What 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.

Another "Theory"

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.

What Are The Symptoms of PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome

Symptoms of PCOS

Symptoms of PCOS typically start soon after a woman begins to menstruate for the first time. The type and severity of symptoms varies from person to person. The most common characteristic of PCOS is irregular menstrual periods. Difficulty getting pregnant may be another reason that leads to diagnosis.

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

• excess hair on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes
• decrease in breast size
• deeper voice
• hair loss

Other symptoms may include:

• acne
• weight gain
• pelvic pain
• 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 women with PCOS.

Traditional Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Options

DIAGNOSIS

How is PCOS Diagnosed?

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 sex 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.

TREATMENTS

How is PCOS Treated?

PCOS can be treated, but there’s no cure. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and managing the condition to prevent complications. The treatment will vary from woman to woman, depending on specific symptoms. Tips for controlling symptoms may include:

• Eat a healthy diet.  A healthy diet and regular exercise are recommended for all women with PCOS, particularly those who are overweight. This can help to regulate your menstrual cycle and lower your blood glucose levels.
• Take birth control pills if you aren’t planning to become pregnant.  Women who don’t want to become pregnant may be prescribed birth control pills. These can help treat acne, regulate the menstrual cycle, and lower levels of male hormones, such as testosterone, in the body. If a woman with PCOS is infertile, fertility drugs may be prescribed to aid in ovulation.
• Ask your doctor about medications that may help you.  Anti-androgens are drugs that reduce male hormone levels. These can help stop excess hair growth and reduce acne. Diabetes medications may also be prescribed to lower blood glucose and testosterone levels.
• Surgery may be recommended for some women with PCOS.  Ovarian drilling is a procedure in which your doctor punctures your ovary with a small needle that carries an electric current. This is done in order to destroy part of the ovary. It’s a short-term solution that can promote ovulation and reduce male hormone levels.

Dr. Huntoon's Alternative Medical Treatment Options

Dr. Huntoon has worked with many women who have presented with the diagnosis of PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).  Continue reading below to understand what can be done to address the CAUSE of this very common, but not normal, health concern.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

We DO NOT recommend taking Birth Control Pills, as you begin "Outsourcing" your hormones and begin to shut down your body's ability to produce normal hormones.  And when you get a little older and would choose to start a family, we are seeing it become more and more difficult to have couples conceive in a natural way.  

Why?  

Because the normal hormonal regulation has been corrupted by taking artificial chemical hormone replacements.  As a result, we encourage any woman, teenager who is beginning her monthly cycle to discuss with her what a normal period is, how you can naturally prevent pregnancy, and teach a young woman to respect herself and instill within her the confidence to not have an unwanted pregnancy.  That way we would not need to use hormonal-based artificial birth control pills.  

Specific application of Shea Butter infused with the Essential Oils of Frankincense and Myrrh to the lower abdomen will help to create normal ovarian and uterine tissue, as this formula has demonstrated a return to normal healthy ovary tissue over time.  The application, done daily as a health regime, is recommended.

Dietary changes

Iodine deficiency and using iodine supplementation under the direction of your Holistic Chiropractor helps eliminate the development of Polycystic disease in any part of the body.  Specific to helping the thyroid, iodine receptors are located in every tissue within the body (breasts, heart, liver, lung, adrenals, kidneys, ovaries, uterus, muscles and intestines).  When proper iodine levels are achieved, the polycystic disease seems to magically disappear. 

Some people have found that limiting their caffeine intake, eating a low-fat diet, or taking essential fatty acid supplements will reduce the symptoms of PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. However, there are no randomized controlled studies that show that these or any dietary changes are effective at relieving symptoms.

Working with a Holistic Chiropractor that understands how to do this for their patient becomes vital for resolution of this serious concern.

Others have benefited by using Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Naturopathy.

Complications of PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome

COMPLICATIONS

What are the Potential Complications of PCOS?

Women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing:

• infertility
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• high cholesterol
• anxiety and depression
• sleep apnea
• endometrial cancer
• heart attack
• diabetes
• breast cancer

Pregnancy is possible for some women with PCOS. 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. The hormonal imbalance that leads to a problem with metabolism and weight gain is difficult to battle, but you can improve hormonal and glucose levels. Talk with your doctor about what PCOS means for your overall health and how you can prevent serious complications.

Article resources

• Kawwass JF, et al. (2010). An algorithm for treatment of infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome. DOI: 10.1016/j.mefs.2010.07.010
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/DS00423/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
• McAllister JM, et al. (2015). Functional genomics of PCOS: From GWAS to molecular mechanisms. DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2014.12.004
• Moran LJ, et al. (2015). Metabolic risk in PCOS: Phenotype and adiposity impact. DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2014.12.003
• Murri M, et al. (2013). Circulating markers of oxidative stress and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A systematic review and meta-analysis. DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dms059
• Polycystic ovary syndrome. (2016). https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). (n.d.). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024506/

Medicines Two Choices for You

Your Solution

We offer the following recommendations as a natural way to avoid PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

We DO NOT recommend taking Birth Control Pills, as you begin "Outsourcing" your hormones and begin to shut down your body's ability to produce normal hormones.  And when you get a little older and would choose to start a family, we are seeing it become more and more difficult to have couples conceive in a natural way.  

Why?  

Because the normal hormonal regulation has been corrupted by taking artificial chemical hormone replacements.  

As a result, we encourage any woman, teenager who is beginning her monthly cycle to discuss with her what a normal period is, how you can naturally prevent pregnancy, and teach a young woman to respect herself and instill within her the confidence to not have an unwanted pregnancy.  That way we would not need to use hormonal-based artificial birth control pills.  

Specific application of Shea Butter infused with the Essential Oils of Frankincense and Myrrh to the lower abdomen will help to create normal ovarian and uterine tissue, as this formula has demonstrated a return to normal healthy ovary tissue over time.  The application is done daily as a health regime is recommended.

Dietary Changes

Iodine deficiency and using iodine supplementation under the direction of your Holistic Chiropractor helps eliminate the development of Polycystic disease in any part of the body.  Specific to helping the thyroid, iodine receptors are located in every tissue within the body (breasts, heart, liver, lung, adrenals, kidneys, ovaries, uterus, muscles and intestines).  When proper iodine levels are achieved, the polycystic disease seems to magically disappear. 

Some people have found that limiting their caffeine intake, eating a low-fat diet, or taking essential fatty acid supplements will reduce the symptoms of PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. However, there are no randomized controlled studies that show that these or any dietary changes are effective at relieving symptoms.

Working with a Holistic Chiropractor that understands how to do this for their patient becomes vital for resolution of this serious concern.

Others have benefited by using Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Naturopathy.

Long-term Outlook

According to the Medical Profession, the specific cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) isn’t fully understood. However, doctors suspect that estrogen and other reproductive hormones play a role. As a result, your symptoms will likely disappear once you reach menopause, as the fluctuation and production of these hormones decreases and stabilizes.

Article resources

• Breast Cancer Screening Final Recommendations. (n.d.). 
  http://screeningforbreastcancer.org
• Fibrocystic breast tissue. (n.d.). 
  http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/breast_center/breast_cancers_other_conditions/fibrocystic_breast_tissue.html
• Fibrosis and simple cysts. (2016, April 21). 
  http://www.cancer.org/healthy/findcancerearly/womenshealth/non-cancerousbreastconditions/non-cancerous-breast-conditions-fibrocystic-changes
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016, March 12). Fibrocystic breasts: Overview. 
  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibrocystic-breasts/home/ovc-20194898
• Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women. (2015, April 23). 
  http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/understanding-breast-changes