PCOS | Fertility Naturopath
PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a common condition affecting nearly 1.4 million Canadians.
In this article I will do a quick rundown of the following:
What is PCOS?
Why does PCOS impact fertility?
Can you become pregnant when you have PCOS?
How can PCOS be managed?
PCOS is a condition resulting from elevated androgen levels produced at the level of the ovary. Androgens are male-pattern hormones. Females produce small amounts of androgens each month, but in PCOS too many androgens are produced and this can impact the frequency of ovulation. When ovulation does not occur, small cysts build up in the ovaries.
The root of PCOS is not completely understood. However, there are often genetic connections, as well as issues with weight management and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is occurs when the body is producing too much insulin in response to glucose. When insulin is too high it will increase androgen levels. As stated above, this can impact ovulation, which leads to PCOS.
Most people will notice the following symptoms prior to being diagnosed with PCOS:
Irregular periods
Strange results on an ovulation predictor kit
Skipped periods
Difficulty conceiving
Acne
Hair loss from the head
Hair growth on the face, chest, back and/or lower abdomen
Weight gain
PCOS can be diagnosed using the Rotterdam Criteria which include have 2 out of 3 of the following symptoms:
Elevated androgens (either clinically with presentations of acne, hirsutism or hair loss from the head or biochemically as seen in serum testing)
A polycystic appearance of the ovaries whereby multiple cysts are seen during an ultrasound
Anovulatory menstrual cycles
PCOS impacts fertility because it affects the frequency of ovulation. Ovulation is the event that allows the oocyte (or egg cell) to be released from the follicle and into the fallopian tube where it can meet up with sperm and create an embryo.
If a patient with PCOS is not ovulating, then it can become more difficult to conceive.
If you have PCOS, it can be managed and pregnancy is possible once we are able to get the condition under control and allow for ovulation.
PCOS can be managed in a number of different ways. The typical approaches I use in practice include the following:
Dietary management - I will have clear and concise conversations with patients about how to adjust their diet to manage insulin resistance and PCOS
Supplementation - I will discuss the research-support supplements available to manage PCOS, including things like myo-inositol, N-acetyl-cysteine, and berberine
Exercise parameters - I will discuss how exercise can be used to manage PCOS
Other Interventions - I will discuss when integration may be required in order to stimulate ovulation with the use of fertility medications, and/or managing stubborn insulin resistance with medications like Metformin
Even if pregnancy is not the goal, it is important to manage PCOS because it can lead to issues down the road:
Type II diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Stroke
Are you curious to learn more about PCOS? Have you been diagnosed with PCOS or think you might have it? You can find me at Conceive Health to book an appointment to learn more.
Before You Go!
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Resources:
https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2018/08000/Polycystic_Ovary_Syndrome.9.aspx
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrendo.2018.24
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrdp201657
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2893212/?report=reader
