Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal condition that affects the metabolic and reproductive physiological functions of a woman’s system. It is associated with a multitude of symptoms and issues and includes: irregular menstrual cycle, reduced fertility, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity, hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, acne, hair loss) and skin discolorations. Conventional medicine typically offers anti-androgenic […]
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) issues include 2 out of the following 3: 1) oligo-ovulation/anovulation (usually experienced as menstrual bleeding irregularities 2) Hyperandrogenism (includes acne, excess body hair, hair thinning on scalp, elevated serum androgens 3) polycystic ovaries on a pelvic ultrasound. The etiology and pathogenesis of PCOS are complicated but we do know the dominant […]
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It’s not surprising to me that the age of puberty in girls has been declining the last 15-20 years. Environmental causes have been a suspect, but the reasons have not been clearly understood. The problem with early puberty is this is associated with higher rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome and even breast […]
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Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine problem that is diagnosed in reproductive aged women. It’s complex and involves multiple body systems but is associated with hyperinsulinemia, impaired glucose metabolism, hyperandrogenism and dyslipidemia. It is estimated that 5-6 million women in the United States have PCOS. The manifestations of PCOS can include irregular/infrequent menses […]
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I’ve written numerous other blogs and given many lectures on natural medicine and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). I consider this a strong area for natural medicine in the areas of addressing the underlying endocrinologic disorder and improving the many manifestations of PCOS. In the not so distant past, I’ve written about N-acetyl cysteine, myo-inositol vs. […]
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A recent study using black cohosh, demonstrates a new addition to a natural medicine strategy for addressing PCOS. One hundred women with PCOS were recruited and seen in a clinic in Egypt. Women were randomly assigned to receive either 40 mg/day of black cohosh for 10 days or 100 mg/day of clomiphene for 5 days. […]
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Posted in Dietary Supplements, Nutrition, PCOS on Apr 29th, 2015
Both myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol have been shown to effect ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). They have been shown to improve androgen levels, increase the action of insulin, reduce systolic blood pressure and more. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol […]
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Posted in PCOS on Jan 30th, 2015
The diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been through many permutations in the last 30 years I have been in practice. The most widely used and accepted current definition of PCOS is from the consensus criteria from 2003, called the Rotterdam Criteria. The diagnostic criteria for the Rotterdam diagnosis of PCOS require the presence […]
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