Introduction to PCOS: more than just irregular period.

AN INTRODUCTION TO PCOS:

more than just irregular periods

May is the month of mother’s day. I want to bring awareness to all the women out there on our unique physiology. Education is the most powerful tool when it comes to knowing our body and health. I believe getting to know your body as early as possible is the best way for health maintenance.

PCOS has a close relationship with chronic inflammation. A systemic analysis of non-obese women with PCOS showed elevations in CRP(C-reactive protein ), IL-6 and TNF-ɑ, all of which are related to systemic inflammation. (Williams et al., 2016).

PCOS is more than a reproductive issue. The involvement of multiple systems makes PCOS a complex health concern for women during child bearing age.

Criteria in PCOS diagnosis has to meet at least 2 criterias according to National Institute of Health Criteria (Sirmans & Pate, 2013)2 ,such as :

Oligomenorrhea: absence of menstruation or irregular menstrual cycle.

Hyperandrogenism: cystic acne, or hirsutism (overgrowth of hair)

Polycystic ovaries verified by diagnostic ultrasound.

The common treatment protocol from conventional medicine for PCOS includes oral contraceptives, insulin sensitizers (ex: Metformin), and ovulation induction drugs (ex: Clomid) for fertility desiring women.

In PCOS, there is a significant imbalance in estrogen, which is a sex hormone that functions as a protective and reproductive hormone in women. Estrogen is metabolized in the liver and excreted through the digestive tract and urination. How efficient our bodies are in metabolizing estrogen is impacted by numerous factors such as nutrition, toxin and chemical exposure, genetics, stress, and health conditions including metabolic syndrome and autoimmune diseases. When estrogen is not probably metabolized, it creates an imbalanced condition called estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is one of the biggest factors that exacerbates PCOS.

However, there are a few things we can do to promote healthy estrogen metabolism.

PCOS is a condition that is closely tied to inflammation, emotional, and reproductive health of women. It can deeply impact the quality of lives of women at the child bearing age. However, there are ways of lifestyle change and quality nutrition that can help with detoxification and estrogen metabolism. Although there are medications out there that help with PCOS, to really get to the root cause of the chronic inflammation, I encourage you to educate yourself and incorporate lifestyle changes such as therapeutic food plans, acupuncture, exercise, and stress management.

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References:

Aboeldalyl, S., James, C., & Seyam, E. (n.d.). The Role of Chronic Inflammation in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/5/2734/htm

Khani, B., Mardanian,, F., & Fesharaki, S. J. (2017, May 30). Omega-3 supplementation effects on polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms and metabolic syndrome. NCBI. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5461594/

Sirmans, S. M., & Pate, K. A. (2013, December 18). Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome | CLEP. Dove Medical Press. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.dovepress.com/epidemiology-diagnosis-and-management-of-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CLEP

Williams, T., Mortada, R., & Porter, S. (2016, july 15). Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0715/p106.html

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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this newsletter or publications are for reference purposes only. No material written and published by Eastern Wellness Acupuncture or by Dr. Tzeching Wang , PH.D, L.Ac. are intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care modality or regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the website , publication or social media published by Eastern Wellness Acupuncture or Dr. Tzeching Wang, Ph.D, L.Ac..

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