PCOS Relief
Pcos And Fatigue
As a stay at home mother of two young, energetic boys I always thought that constantly being tired was just part of the job. By two o’clock each afternoon, all I wanted to do was get them to nap and lay down on the couch to regroup. Often, by the time I fell asleep, they were ready to get up so I was operating on automatic pilot, barely able to play with them outside, get their dinner on the table and do their baths before collapsing myself.
Then finally, after a conversation with my doctor, I realized that my constant and debilitating fatigue was not normal. Neither was my adult acne problem, hair loss and weight problem. My symptoms, I learned, were a result of a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS.
As it turns out, PCOS and fatigue are both linked to an imbalance of the endocrine system and are characterized by an excess of male hormones. Fatigue, a symptom commonly associated with PCOS, is also closely linked to the thyroid and adrenal glands. At the heart of both of these issues, however, is a disorder known as Insulin Resistance.
Insulin Resistance, a condition that vastly reduces the insulin sensitivity of cells, impairs the processing of glucose through the cell wall for conversion to energy. As a result, glucose remains in the blood stream, causing elevated blood sugar, which is sent to the liver. Once there, the sugar is converted into fat and stored via the blood stream throughout the body. This process can lead to weight gain and obesity, also key factors in women with PCOS.
To add insult to injury, fatigue frequently causes women with PCOS to treat their low energy with carbs and caffeine, which dumps more glucose into the blood in a never-ending spiral of weight gain and increasing insulin and glucose levels. As fatigue and insulin resistance worsen, excess fat cells produce too much of another hormone, estrogen.
Stress is another contributor to both fatigue and PCOS. Although the original purpose of the stress response was to provide a momentary burst of energy in order to fight or run away, stress has become a continual presence in our lives today. Cortisol, the hormone produced by the adrenal glands when we are stressed, is vital to our functioning as long as it is in appropriate amounts. During stress, excess corti
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sol causes an increase in glucose and insulin to enable our muscles and heart to handle the stress. But with today’s stressors we don’t respond like early humans. We don’t utilize the glucose by running or fighting and so the glucose stays elevated. Excess levels of cortisol can contribute to Insulin Resistance as well as other hormonal imbalances.
Because I was always so embarrassed to talk about what I classified as “failures” as a mother and adult woman, I never thought that I might actually have a condition that I could reverse. As it turns out, there are several things I could do, the most effective of which was to try Insulite Laboratories’ 5 Element System to reverse the symptoms caused by PCOS. Combining nutrition, exercise, vitamins, support and awareness programs, Insulite Labs works with you to make the changes necessary to create a whole new you… one with lots of energy and renewed outlook on life.
By: Heather Bishara
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We’ve discussed a few prescription medications that are given to help various side affects of PCOS, and we will continue to review more medications that are commonly used. However, there is another side to treating/controlling your PCOS, through herbal remedies (herbal supplements).
As I have mentioned in my previous posts, there is no cure for PCOS…yet. There are many ways to treat and control the side affects. Below I will list the most common complaints of PCOS, as well as some herbal remedies that can help.
NOTE – As mentioned before, do not being any herbal remedy or supplement without speaking with your Doctor. If you are currently taking any medication (including birth control, and ANY infertility medication or if you have a pre-existing condition, do not start these herbal remedies without first talking to a doctor.
Hormone imbalance
- Vitex (ChasteBerry) – This is a well-known herb that has been used for centuries for hormonal imbalances in women. It is also one of the most important herbs for PCOS because it helps stimulate and stabilize the function of the pituitary gland which controls the release of LH (luteinizing hormone). The ability of chaste tree berry to raise progesterone levels in the body is an indirect effect, so the herb itself is not a hormone. Vitex is NOT recommended for those currently undergoing infertility treatment. Taking it with infertility medication can heighten the affects of the IF meds. This herb can also alter the affects of oral contraception, so it is not recommended if you are currently using any type of birth control
- Dandelion root – A great liver tonic! This helps cleanse your liver and remove the build up and toxins that accumulate. A lot of menstrual problems/infertility issues are made worse because the excess hormones tend to “back up” in your liver. Dandelion Root will help keep your liver working properly which will help it rid your body of all the excess “crud” you don’t need. It can also help control and possibly prevent NASLD.
- Milk Thistle – A key herb for the liver; one that is so important for the treatment of PCOS. Milk Thistle helps your liver cells against damage, and promotes healing of damaged cells. This improves the overall function of your liver (Extremely beneficial in the control or prevention of NASLD)
Hirsutism (Male Pattern Hair Growth, a.k.a. excess facial and/or body hair) and Elevated Testosterone Levels:
Many women with PCOS often have elevated levels of testosterone which is converted into DHT. DHT is what stimulates the male pattern hair growth, and male pattern hair loss. Reducing the DHT in your body can help reduce the excess facial/body hair, as well as acne/oily skin and thinning hair (or male pattern hair loss) you may be experiencing.
- Saw Palmetto – This herbal remedy stops the production of, and helps breakdown DHT. It has also been shown to have anti-estrogenic effects. (Anti-estrogenic means countering the excess estrogen. Women with PCOS often have higher estrogen levels. These elevated levels can stop the elimination of DHT) Saw Palmetto; in addition to reducing the overall levels of testosterone/DHT, has been shown to regulate your estrogen levels. This can further assist in the regulation/removal of the excess DHT, regulate your hormones, increase your labido, and help with weight loss.
- White Peony Tea – This has been shown to positively influence low progesterone, as well as reduce elevated androgens (testosterone) and acts to regulate estrogen and prolactin levels.
These are the most common herbal remedies that can help with PCOS symptoms like. In the next post: Herbal remedies that help control Insulin resistance, most often the worst side affect/symptom of PCOS.
How about these right… I think you’ll find the following nuggets of wisdom particularly insightful. Leave your comments below. Check out the second one in particular…
TCM Student: Acupuncture and Exercise Decrease Symptoms of PCOS
Acupuncture and Exercise Decrease Symptoms of PCOS. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with high muscle sympathetic nerve activity. Below is the asbtract o the study and results. Although the study was completed in rodents, …
what are the common pcos symptoms?
the common pcos symptoms and signs in women are varied. this is because pcos or polycystic ovary syndrome – an endocrine problem – is a rather complex condition. basically, it is caused by the abnormal secreti.
contraindications of metformin: Can a Woman With PCOS Get Pregnant?
It seems that for many women their PCOS symptoms mellow as they get older. “Anne” went to the doctor to find out why they are infertile after several years of marriage, she was already 3 months pregnant and boy number two followed just …
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Related posts:
- pcos syndrome – Yahoo! UK News Message Boards – Pregnancy – No IVF for the overweight?
- pcos syndrome – Latest pcos syndrome news – October 2009 Programs at Putnam Hospital Center
- pcos syndrome – Around The World – Yahoo! News UK
Tags: Pcos Symptoms, Pcos Syndrome
