Homeopathy for PCOD ( POLYCYSTIC OVERY DISEASE) or PCOS (POLYCYSTIC OVERY SYNDROME)

  Homeopathy for PCOD ( POLYCYSTIC OVERY DISEASE) or  PCOS (POLYCYSTIC OVERY SYNDROME)

Described in 1935 by Stein and Leventhal as a syndrome manifested by amenorrhea, hirsutism, and obesity associated with enlarged polycystic ovaries. 

  This complex disorder is characterized by excessive androgen production by the ovaries/adrenals which interfere with the growth of the ovarian follicle. Therefore PCOS is state of androgen excess and chronic anovulation. The incidence varies between 0.5% to 4% more common amongst infertile women, it is prevalence in the young reproductive period. 

 Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which there is an imbalance of a woman's female sex hormones. This hormone imbalance may cause changes in the menstrual cycle, skin changes, small cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant and other problems. 

   The principal function of the ovary is the production of an e.g. each month for ovulation and the production of all the hormones necessary for normal reproduction. Many people assumed that polycystic ovarian disease is a purely ovarian disease but now we recognize that it is a fact, a systemic endocrine and metabolic of symptoms. Infertility, lack of periods, or extremely irregular periods, male body hair patterns, obesity, and acne are very common symptoms. No two women are affected in exactly the same way. 

   Ovary fails to expel the matured eggs in polycystic ovarian disease and a small amount of fluid begins to accumulate inside the immature follicles to form multiple cysts the cysts then contribute to the hormonal to the hormonal imbalance. In order to make estrogen, the cells of the follicular cyst take androgen from the surrounding ovarian tissue and convert the androgen to estrogen. This is probably due to the genetic inheritance, high levels of insulin and thyroid-pituitary dysfunction. Patients suffering from a polycystic ovarian disease(PCOD) have multiple small cysts in their ovaries(the word poly means many). This ovary is enlarged and produces excessive amounts of androgen and estrogenic hormones. This excess along with the absence of ovulation may cause infertility. Other names for PCOD are a polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) or Stein-Leventhal syndrome. 

The principal signs and symptoms of PCOS are related to menstrual disturbances and elevated levels of male hormones (androgens).Menstrual disturbances can include delay of periods (oligomenorrhea) or the absence of menstruation for more than three months (secondary amenorrhea). Menstrual cycles may not be associated with ovulation (anovulatory cycles) and may result in heavy bleeding. Symptoms related to elevated androgen levels include acne, excess hair growth on the body (hirsutism), and male-pattern hair loss. 

   Obesity and weight gain, elevated insulin levels and resistance, oily skin, dandruff, infertility, skin discolorations, high cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure, and multiple small cysts in the ovaries. Any of the above symptoms and signs may be absent in PCOS, with the exception of irregular or no menstrual periods. All women with PCOS will have irregular or no menstrual periods. Women who have PCOS do not regularly ovulate, that is they do not release an egg conceiving. If your doctor suspects PCOS a battery of investigations will be ordered for you. The goal is to assess the severity and source of androgen excess and to rule out an adrenal or ovarian tumor. Some of the common tests are FHS (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), LH(Luteinizing Hormone) The ratio 3:1 of LH: FSH is diagnostic, serum testosterone, DHEA and DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone). A pelvic ultrasound is also usually needed. It may show 10 or more follicles, 2-10 mm is size per ovary. 

  We found homeopathy to be very useful in the management of PCOS. Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that assists the natural tendency of the human body to heal itself. 

 Symptoms of PCOD: 

Changes in the menstrual cycle: 

     . Absent periods, usually with a history of having one or more normal menstrual periods during puberty. 

    . Irregular menstrual periods, which may be more or less frequent and may range from very light to very heavy. 

Development of male sex characteristics(virilization): 

  

   . Decreased breast size

   . Deepening of the voice

   . Enlargement of the clitoris

   . Increased body hair on the chest, abdomen, and face as well as around the nipples(called hirsutism). 

   . Thinning of the hair on the head, called male-pattern baldness. 

Other skin changes:

  

 .Acne that gets worse

 . Dark or thick skin markings and creases around the armpits, groin, neck, and breasts due to insulin sensitivity.

 Other general changes: 

  Weight gain or inability to lose weight, insulin resistance and possibly diabetes, high blood pressure,  polycystic ovaries that is 2-5 times larger than healthy ovaries, impaired lung function, mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. 

 Causes of PCOD: 

  .Genetic predisposition

 . Insulin resistance or hyperinsulinism(high blood levels of insulin)

  .Obesity

 . Hyperandrogenism (excessive production of male hormones)

  .Abnormality of the hypothalamic- pituitary- gonadal axis(organ/hormonal disorder). 

  . Environmental chemical pollution

  . Food adulteration (excitatory amino acids, for example)

  . Chronic inflammation. 

Homeopathic Approach: 

  

Early diagnosis of PCOS makes managing the disease easier. The response to homeopathy is seen in the regularization of menstrual cycles. Regularization of cycles may mean more ovulatory cycle. These women thus have a higher chance of conceiving naturally. Women who are thin, younger, with less hirsutism and who do does not have very high levels of testosterone respond better to homeopathic treatment. Hence homeopathic treatment along with modification of diet and lifestyle patterns can have benefits in terms of regularization of menstruation, fertility promotion naturally (or by assisted reproduction with a better result) risk and hyperlipidemia are ameliorated and musculoskeletal and metabolic side effects are reduced. The concept of health, sickness, and cue are set in homeopathic philosophy as a process occurring on the vital force, the cure is a return to harmony with one cell the whole world. 

A polycystic disease is curable with the homeopathic mode of treatment. Homeopathic treatment for the polycystic ovarian syndrome is very safe and free from any side effects. Which homeopathic medicine is required to extract the disease from its roots varies from case to case. Both the physical and mental spheres of the patient are thoroughly investigated while prescribing the homeopathic medicine. The complete cure of PCOD is a time-consuming process and it cannot be expected in a few days. It requires complete observation regarding the change of symptoms in the patent and frequent clinical follow-ups. 

Homeopathic remedies:

 Apis Mel: Apis mel is an excellent remedy for treating cysts in PCOD.

Lachesis: Pain worse in the evening, Cysts in the left ovary is affected.

Sepia: Sepia occupies the top position among the homeopathic medicine for treatment for polycystic ovarian syndrome. The menstrual symptoms for sepia are late and scanty menses. In most of the cases, this is accompanied by bearing down sensations is the pelvic region. The ovaries remain enlarged with fluid-filled cysts in them; Sepia acts very efficiently to regulate the menstrual cycle to appear at the proper expected time. Sepia can also be considered to treat infertility cases due to PCOS. Abnormal hair growth on the face, especially on upper lips, can also be well controlled with sepia.

Pulsatilla: Pulsatilla is a homeopathic medicine for treating PCOS. It is especially beneficial for treating PCOS in females who suffer from suppressed periods for a long duration. In women requiring pulsatilla, the periods when they appear to remain very scanty and extremely painful. Homeopathic medicine pulsatilla removes the obstacles that cause the periods to be suppressed and the periods when they appear to remain very scanty and extremely painful. Homeopathic medicine pulsatilla removes the obstacles that cause periods to be suppressed and the periods start to flow normally. Homeopathic remedy pulsatilla increases the body’s power and directs its path towards removing the obstacle, thus re-establishing the menstrual flow. Open air overall seems to provide relief to the patient. And in the mental sphere, the significant feature to take note of is mild, sensitive nature with weeping tendencies. Such a woman weeps at the slightest instance and feels somewhat better when given consolation.

Calcarea- Carb: Is of great help in the treatment of PCOS and is particularly suited when a woman with PCOS suffer from profuse periods that are prolonged more than the usual duration. The women with PCOS facing the problem of weight gain and obesity are also the candidates requiring Calc-carb. Calc- carb helps such women in reducing the excessive weight gain very efficiently. Excessive sweating on the head, extremely sensitive to cold air and peculiar craving in eating habits like the desire for boiled eggs.

 Kali-Carb: Is a very beneficial medicine when the menses are suppressed altogether for several months.

Senecio: Senecio is the ideal homeopathic medicine when the menses are suppressed but the woman feels that menses are about to come. Symptoms related to menses are present like heaviness or pain in pelvic region and nausea, but the menstrual flow is absent.