A woman will reach out to us with the challenges she is facing with PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome). In her course of treatment she has come to understand that Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder. She has enlarged ovaries and ovarian cysts. She may also be suffering from obesity, poor cardiovascular health, hair growth and acne consistent with testosterone problems. Sometimes her diagnosis is confusing to her. Many times her treatments confuses her even more. She is not the only one who is confused. Many of her doctors are confused as well. This is documented in the medical research:
Poor diet and nutrition
A February 2021 study (1) explains Polycystic ovary syndrome this way:
“Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder that affects around 5% to 10% of women of childbearing age worldwide, making it the most common source of anovulatory (your ovaries do not release its eggs) infertility. Polycystic ovary syndrome is defined by increased levels of androgens, abnormal ovulation, irregular menstrual cycles, and polycystic ovarian morphology (the presence of 10 or more cysts) in one or both ovaries.
Women suffering from this condition have also been shown to frequently associate certain cardiovascular comorbidities, including obesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and vascular disease.
These factors gradually lead to endothelial dysfunction (narrowing of the arteries) and coronary artery calcification, thus posing an increased risk for adverse cardiac events. . . Furthermore, studies have also reported that increased oxidative stress coupled with poor antioxidant status significantly add to the increased cardiovascular risk among these patients.”
A takeaway: Poor antioxidant status is one way to describe poor diet and nutrition.
A dysfunctional view of optimism
Another February 2021 study (2) explains the challenges of Polycystic ovary syndrome this way:
“Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic endocrinopathy characterized by hyperandrogenism (high levels of androgens (testosterone) in women and the resulting hair growth and acne) and anovulation that may (include) psychological dimensions such as dispositional optimism (in simple terms, a dysfunctional view of optimism). Considering how PCOS influences mental health and the lack of studies on this matter, this research was aimed at assessing optimism and associated factors in PCOS.
A case-control study of 156 patients with PCOS and 117 controls was conducted. . . Medication, pain severity, gynecological, and sociodemographic information was also collected. Lower optimism was found in patients with PCOS compared to controls. (This) study provides evidence that a personality characteristic with important implications in illness prognosis may be affected in PCOS.”
A takeaway: The mental health status is important in PCOS patients:
Menstrual abnormalities causes most mental anguish in one study
An earlier study (3) also assessing the mental health aspects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome looked to find those Polycystic ovary syndrome manifestations (infertility, hirsutism, obesity, menstrual problems) that caused women the greatest mental distress. This study found that menstrual problems were significantly more concerning than other symptoms with hair growth and acne and obesity also concerning. The researchers of this study concluded: “Findings suggest features of excess body hair, obesity, and menstrual abnormalities carry unique risks for adverse psychologic symptoms, but menstrual problems may be the most salient of these features and deserve particular attention as a marker for psychological risk among women with PCOS.”
Fracture risk and vitamin D
A February 2021 study (4) found: “Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among premenopausal women. PCOS may have reproductive, metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychological implications. Vitamin D deficit is often encountered in PCOS women and may contribute to the pathophysiology of this disorder. As of the key role of vitamin D in bone and mineral metabolism, and because the vitamin D status appears to be closely linked with the PCOS manifestations including insulin resistance, obesity, ovulatory and menstrual irregularities, oxidative stress and Parathyroid Hormone elevation, hypovitaminosis D may directly and indirectly via the different facets of PCOS impair bone health in these women. Although limited data are available on life-long fracture risk in women with PCOS, the importance of preserving bone health in youth and adults to prevent osteoporosis and related fractures is also recognized in PCOS women.”
This is a small sampling of recent research that helps us understand the complexity of Polycystic ovary syndrome and the multi-factorial understanding of what treatment may entail. Traditional understanding of treatments involve anti-diabetic medication (managing blood sugar), statins, hormonal therapy and possibly hair growth inhibitors among the many treatments that may be suggested.
Traditionally, hormone imbalances are treated with synthetic hormone replacement therapy, often prescribed with other drugs for accompanying problems as just mentioned. Synthetic hormones are a form of estrogen and progesterone. These compounds, however, are types that are not found naturally in the human body and can be broken down into potentially harmful metabolites. If you read the package inserts for these drugs, you’ll see that they come with plenty of warnings about the associated risk of heart attacks, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. At the Magaziner Center for Wellness, we do a complete analysis of dozens of hormones and metabolites, using blood and urine testing. If we find an imbalance, it can be corrected with natural remedies and/or bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, which has the same chemical structure as the human body produces, not an altered or adulterated form. Our treatments are gentle, natural and completely harmonized to the individual patient.
Typically, diabetes is treated with oral medications, insulin injections, diet modifications and exercise. Any diabetic taking insulin needs to monitor their blood-sugar levels regularly.
At the Magaziner Center for Wellness we utilize extensive and unique testing to get to the root of all contributing factors so we can treat them at the source. Many of our patients are put on a gluten-free, plant-based diet, along with appropriate exercise and stress-reduction programs. We also use nutriceuticals, herbal and nutritional supplements to help combat glucose intolerance. For patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy we frequently use hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and for those with cardiovascular disease, chelation therapy is often a recommended treatment.
References
1 Duica F, Danila CA, Boboc EA, Antoniadis P, Condrat CE, Onciul S, Suciu N, Cretoiu SM, Varlas VN, Cretoiu D. Impact of Increased Oxidative Stress on Cardiovascular Diseases in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Frontiers in Endocrinology.;12:2.
2 Morán-Sánchez I, Adoamnei E, Sánchez-Ferrer ML, Prieto-Sánchez MT, Arense-Gonzalo JJ, Carmona-Barnosi A, Hernandez-Peñalver AI, Mendiola J, Torres-Cantero AM. Assessment of Optimism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case Control-Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 28;18(5):2352. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052352. PMID: 33670871.
3 McCook JG, Bailey BA, Williams SL, Anand S, Reame NE. Differential Contributions of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Manifestations to Psychological Symptoms. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2015 Jul;42(3):383-94. doi: 10.1007/s11414-013-9382-7. PMID: 24390359.
4 Di Bari F, Catalano A, Bellone F, Martino G, Benvenga S. Vitamin D, Bone Metabolism, and Fracture Risk in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Metabolites. 2021 Feb 18;11(2):116. doi: 10.3390/metabo11020116. PMID: 33670644; PMCID: PMC7922814.
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