Polycystic ovaries: the silent evil of many women

This may surprise you, but many women ask me about a disease called polycystic ovary syndrome (SOP), which affects almost 10% of women in reproductive age. And it is that in fact it is the most common hormonal disorder among the female population.

No matter how prevalent it is among the female population, it is a very poorly understood disorder and around which there are many myths. In the article I will talk about How does it affect women’s health? who suffers from it and how following an “eat clean” philosophy can help them cope.

What is the syndrome of ovary polycystic?

It is a syndrome that causes a disruption in the hormonal cycle woman normal. Hormone production in the ovaries is altered, producing more androgens (male sex hormones). This can lead to acne, weight gain, and excess facial and body hair (1).

But the physical changes are not the only ones that are experienced, it can also cause fertility problems, since ovulation can be interrupted, and when the ovules do not reach their full development they lead to the formation of cysts. Women with PCOS who become pregnant have a high risk of miscarriage (2).

If this condition is not treated, it can increase the risk of degenerating into cardiovascular diseases up to 4-7 times more, the same with diabetes, where the risk increases from 3 to 6 times more, according to UC Davis (3).

Other symptoms that can be experienced are very strong and painful menstruation or amenorrhea (disappearance of menstruation), pelvic pain and reduction in breast size. As a consequence, the depression it can be a common state in these women.

What is the cause of PCOS?

The expert doctors they are not sure of the cause of PCOS, but it is believed to have a hereditary factor. Some believe that excess insulin production or insulin resistance could be the reason, as increased production of androgens (male hormones) is seen in the ovaries in these conditions. Inflammation could be another reason, as it also stimulates androgen production.

Some scientific studies indicate that the BPA exposure, a type of plastic very common in tupperware or plastic packaging for packaged and prepared food, could be a factor. In fact, the results of tests carried out on women with PCOS indicate that they have a higher concentration of BPA in their blood.

How to treat polycystic ovaries naturally?

Conventional treatments treat only the symptoms without going to the root of the problem. This is because the root of the problem is still unknown.

One of the most common practices is to prescribe birth control pills, medication to lower insulin levels and medication to help ovulate. Even in some more special cases, surgery is directly recommended.

Parallel to these interventions, you can make some lifestyle changes that will help you improve your symptoms without the potential side effects of medications.

eliminate alcoholthe nicotinethe caffeinehe sugar, animal fats, processed foods and Dairy Products It will help you reduce inflammation.Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Some experts in the field believe that it is important to consume animal protein for the treatment of PCOS, but in 2008 a study concluded that vegetable protein sources, replacing those of animal protein, can reduce the chances of infertility by up to 50% in women. women with PCOS.Exercise regularly. Not only does it keep you at a proper weight, but it also helps you keep insulin levels under control after meals.

How can a clean diet help you?

The Eat Clean philosophy (based on foods of plant origin such as green leaves, vegetables, fruits, legumes, gluten-free whole grains, nuts, seeds, algae and vegetable drinks) is ideal for PCOS cases, especially due to the great impact you have in inflammation.

when we are able to reduce symptoms of inflammation In the body, we can manage the rest of the symptoms related to polycystic ovarian syndrome much better, reducing their discomfort or even eliminating them.

What are the foods that we should consume more?

The fiber-rich vegetables They will help us keep blood sugar levels, weight and hormones under control. Some examples are celery, cucumber, radishes, lettuce, spinach, and the entire cabbage family that are especially good for proper estrogen function such as broccoli, kale, red cabbage, and white cabbage. .vegetable sources of protein. Although all plant foods contain amino acids, seeds, nuts, legumes, sprouts and sprouts, and microalgae such as chlorella and spirulina provide more concentrated amounts.Calcium-rich vegetables such as green leaves (spinach, kale, broccoli) not only help the proper development of the follicles in the ovaries, but also help the production of insulin. Sesame is also a great source of calcium as well as potassium, another mineral that increases the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).Fruit: highly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory such as cherries, raspberries, blueberries, grapefruit, peaches, pomegranate… These give us energy, help us eliminate toxins and provide us with healthy carbohydrates without exceeding protein or fat.

Complementary practices to reduce symptoms

On some occasions, following a clean and balanced diet will not be enough and other natural remedies they can make a difference.

Acupuncture: Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of PCOS, where it is just as effective as Western medicine. In a meta-analysis on acupuncture for PCOS, acupuncture, and this combined with Chinese natural medicine, helps reduce insulin resistance, testosterone and body mass index.black cohosh: Women who are considering taking medication to induce ovulationyou can consider another more natural alternative, the black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa). One study showed that it can replace clomiferous citrate, a very common fertility drug for inducing ovulation in women with PCOS. This is due to his high content of phytoestrogenswhich can stimulate estrogen production from the first intake.Betonic: A variety of betony (Stachys lavandulifolia) has also been shown to be effective in cases of abnormal menstrual cycles. It can be used as an alternative to medroxyprogesterone acetate to prevent abnormal uterine bleeding.

Before you start taking any medicinal herb with these powerful properties, I recommend consulting with a specialized herbalist and keeping your doctor informed about the treatment you plan to follow.

scientific references

Mayo Clinic. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – Symptoms and causes. American Pregnancy Association. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). UC Davis Health. Davis Division of Endocrinology PCOS.