Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Flashcards
What are Ovaries?
Each woman has two ovaries, which are part of her reproductive and endocrine systems. Ovaries have two main functions;
Produce ova for fertilization
Produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
The production of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries is regulated by the hypothalamus, which releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
GnRH regulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. LH and FSH promote ovulation and regulate estrogen and progesterone secretion through the cycle.
What are Functions of Estrogen and Progesterone?
Estrogen
Production of estrogen dominates in the first half of the menstrual cycle—before ovulation—and progesterone production dominates during the second half of the menstrual cycle— when the corpus luteum has formed.
Both hormones are important in the preparation of the lining of the womb (uterus) for pregnancy and the implantation of a fertilized egg (zygote), which after about two weeks becomes an embryo. Estrogen is responsible for your female characteristics, providing you with soft skin, a high-pitched voice, full breasts, and wide hips. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries, the adrenal glands, and in fat cells.
Progesterone
Progesterone is responsible for regulating your menstrual cycle, is important in maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and counterbalances the effects of estrogen in the body. Progesterone acts as the antagonist of estrogen.
In Eastern medicine, estrogen and progesterone are considered the opposing forces of Yin (estrogen) and Yang (progesterone). They counterbalance and regulate each other through the monthly cycle of the female body.
For example, estrogen might be responsible for the production of breast cysts while progesterone protects against breast cysts. Progesterone is considered a natural diuretic, while estrogen promotes water and salt retention.
What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition of hormonal imbalance in which a woman’s ovaries grow small noncancerous fluid filled cysts. This condition causes increase production of male sex hormones-androgens, which might cause menstrual cycle irregularity and insulin resistance.
This condition is often accompanied by Insulin resistance and excess insulin production. Insulin is a hormone synthesized by the pancreas that helps to transport glucose into the cells and converts it to energy. Excess insulin might also be the cause of high androgen levels in the body.
Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
There is no cure or permanent treatment for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), so treatment for this condition is focused on decreasing the symptoms and preventing complication of more serious diseases such as:
Diabetes Heart disease High blood pressure High cholesterol In our practice we utilize an individualized approach and offer many PCOS treatment options and tools to help you to alleviate your symptoms and heal yourself. Based on your symptoms and test results your individualized treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) protocol might include:
Diet modification
Lifestyle modification
Herbal supplements
Nutritional vitamins and minerals
Medications to regulate your insulin and glucose imbalances
Birth control pills to help regulate your cycle, and decrease your symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
Symptoms of PCOS range from mild to severe and vary from person to person. Most women develop these symptoms with onset of the menstruations.
Common symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are:
Decrease ovulation Amenorrhea Irregular periods Infertility Acne, oily skin Hirsutism-Excess body and facial hair Blood sugar dysregulation Insulin resistance Decrease in breast size Deeper voice Thin hair Weight gain Skin tags Anxiety and depression Due to the insulin resistance that accompanies PCOS, many women with this condition might also develop other health problems such as Diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
We provide a wide variety of integrative and functional medicine treatment options to decrease the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) symptoms and prevent complications of more serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
What Causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
The definite cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is still unknown. There are several contributing factors including genetic and heredity. Statistic show that women with PCOS are more likely to have a family member-a sister or a mother diagnosed with PCOS.
Another cause of the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) might be an excess insulin levels in the body with the relative insulin resistance. Increased insulin levels in the blood might cause an increased production of male androgens such as testosterone, in the ovaries. Majority of the symptoms of PCOS are caused by increase androgen levels.
Lifestyle factors such as decreased physical activity, diet high in simple sugars and processed foods and being overweight might also cause insulin resistance and predispose women to develop PCOS.
How is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Diagnosed?
If you suspect you may be suffering from PCOS, we would need to perform a comprehensive assessment and diagnostic tests to confirm your condition. To diagnose PCOS we need to perform following tests:
Saliva and blood test to measure levels of cortisol, DHEA, and other hormones
Blood test to measure levels of thyroid hormones such as TSH, free T3 and T4, total and reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies
Fasting insulin and sugar levels with a 3–4 hour glucose tolerance test
Other blood tests to measure your blood count, electrolytes, cholesterol levels, vitamin levels, and much more
We might also perform a pelvic ultrasound to check for cysts on your ovaries and assess the thickness of the lining of your uterus.
What Can I Do to Help to Alleviate Symptoms of PCOS?
Mild symptoms of PCOS may be successfully relieved by simple changes in your lifestyle; especially if you are overweight or obese. Eating healthy and engaging in different exercise activities might help you to manage and treat some of the symptoms of PCOS.
First, it is very important to eat a balanced meal to avoid constant fluctuating levels of glucose and insulin in your bloodstream. If you continuously consume a high carbohydrate diet, eventually, cells trying to protect themselves from glucose overload and will not respond well to insulin. This is known as “insulin resistance.” Excess sugar levels in the bloodstream cause the proteins in the body to malfunction, which may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system, may damage blood vessels, and negatively affects connective tissues in the joints.
Other tips to a balanced diet include:
Choosing fresh foods in their most natural form; for example, choose eating a fresh apple over drinking concentrated apple juice.
Avoid processed, packaged foods when preparing your meals; try to use fresh and single ingredient food products to cook from scratch.
Start your day with a breakfast that includes protein, a healthy fat, and fiber.
Include fresh salads and vegetables to your meals—make these fill at least half of your plate.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body well hydrated.
Become a label reader. Look out for hidden fats, simple and artificial sugars, artificial colors and flavors, and any chemicals and ingredients used as preservatives.
