Women’s Health Naturopath Adelaide, South Australia – Hormone Health Naturally!

by Digital Marketing E. Online Marketing Professional

Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS can be successfully managed by a combination of nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle measures. PCOS is a metabolic condition associated with insulin resistance leading to increased insulin production and increased ovarian androgen production. These hormonal aberrations can lead to erratic ovulation and associated infertility. Insulin resistance is part of a cluster of conditions called “metabolic syndrome”. Metabolic syndrome increases your risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It includes high blood pressure, low levels of ''good'' cholesterol, high triglycerides and obesity. PCOS increases your risk for metabolic syndrome.

Insulin induced ovarian androgen production is the #1 trigger for PCOS therefore the key to management is addressing insulin resistance. The best news for this is

myo inositol a substance produced by the body that belongs to the vitamin B complex group. It is found in many foods such as fruits, nuts and beans. PCOS has been linked to a deficiency in myo-inositol that is associated with insulin resistance. Women with PCOS are known to have a defect in their insulin signalling pathways that are heavily dependent upon inositol containing substances. Supplying extra myo-inositol temporarily corrects the insulin pathways and reduces the signs and symptoms of insulin resistance.

In a 2003 randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, the women treated with inositol began experiencing normal ovulation sooner and with greater frequency compared to the control group.

Similarly, a 2010 study published in Gynaecologic Endocrinology found supplementing with 4 g of inositol and 400 mcg of folic acid daily was more effective at stimulating ovulation than metformin ( a diabetic drug commonly used in PCOS). In the metformin group fifty percent of the patients achieved spontaneous ovulation and 18.3 percent of these women got pregnant. The inositol group was more successful with sixty five percent achieving ovulation and 30 percent of these becoming pregnant.

Besides fertility issues, PCOS often causes such issues as acne and excess hair growth on the face and other areas due to the elevated androgen levels. A 2009 study published in 'the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences' found subjects taking inositol experienced significant drops in testosterone levels (the hormone that causes acne and excessive hair growth) as well as increased insulin sensitivity. In addition cardiovascular parameters improved with subjects showing a decrease in triglycerides, and decreased blood pressure.

Constantino, D et al, Metabolic and Hormonal Effects of Myo-inositol in Women with Plycystic Coary Syndrome, "European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences'';March 2009

Raffone E eta l Insulin sensitiser agents alone and in co-treatment with r-FSH for ovulation induction in PCOS women; April 2010

Gerli S et al Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS, ''European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences";November 2003

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