HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME(PCOS) OR POLY CYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE (PCOD )

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or  PCOD (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease)   is a common endocrine system disorder among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid — called follicles — located in each ovary as seen during an ultrasound exam.

Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity can all occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In adolescents, infrequent or absent menstruation may raise suspicion for the condition.

The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss may reduce the risk of long-term complications, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Causes-- Doctors don't know what causes polycystic ovary syndrome, but these factors may play a role:

Excess insulin. Insulin is the hormone produced in the pancreas that allows cells to use sugar (glucose) — your body's primary energy supply. If you have insulin resistance, your ability to use insulin effectively is impaired, and your pancreas has to secrete more insulin to make glucose available to cells. Excess insulin might also affect the ovaries by increasing androgen production, which may interfere with the ovaries' ability to ovulate.

Low-grade inflammation. Your body's white blood cells produce substances to fight infection in a response called inflammation. Research has shown that women with PCOS have low-grade inflammation and that this type of low-grade inflammation stimulates polycystic ovaries to produce androgens.

Heredity. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you might have a greater chance of having it, too. Researchers also are looking into the possibility that certain genes are linked to PCOS.

Symptoms-- Polycystic ovary syndrome signs and symptoms often begin soon after a woman first begins having periods (menarche). In some cases, PCOS develops later during the reproductive years, for instance, in response to substantial weight gain.

PCOS has many signs — things you or your doctor can see or measure — and symptoms — things that you notice or feel. All of these can worsen with obesity. Every woman with PCOS may be affected a little differently.

To be diagnosed with the condition, your doctor looks for at least two of the following:

Irregular periods. This is the most common characteristic. Examples include menstrual intervals longer than 35 days; fewer than eight menstrual cycles a year; failure to menstruate for four months or longer; and prolonged periods that may be scant or heavy.

Excess androgen. Elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) may result in physical signs, such as excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), adult acne or severe adolescent acne, and male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia).

Polycystic ovaries. Polycystic ovaries become enlarged and contain numerous small fluid-filled sacs which surround the eggs.

Complications-- Having polycystic ovary syndrome may make the following conditions more likely, especially if obesity also is a factor:

·         Type 2 diabetes

·         High blood pressure

·         Cholesterol and lipid abnormalities, such as elevated triglycerides or low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol

·         Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of signs and symptoms that indicate a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease

·         Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis — a severe liver inflammation caused by fat accumulation in the liver

·         Infertility

·         Sleep apnea

·         Depression and anxiety

·         Abnormal uterine bleeding

·         Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer), caused by exposure to continuous high levels of estrogen

·         Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Polycystic Ovarian disease   is curable with the Homeopathic mode of treatment. . 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 patient and frequent clinical follow-ups. Homeopathic approach towards management of PCOD is constitutional, taking into account the presenting complaints along with physical, mental and genetic make-up that individualizes a person. Homeopathic medicines which act at root level can bring back deviations of hormonal system back to normalcy and in many cases abolish the need for exogenous hormones with their side-effects and complicating surgical procedures. Moreover, with this hormonal harmony, chances of conception increase significantly.

The following are the main remedies found to be effective in PCOD treatment

SEPIA 200- Sepia occupies the top position among the Homeopathic medicines for treatment for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The menstrual symptom for  Sepia is late and scanty menses. In most of the cases, this is accompanied by bearing down sensations in 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. Other general symptoms to look for before taking Sepia are sensitivity to cold air, mental irritability, and indifferent behaviour towards loved ones.

PULSATILLA NIG. 30 -Pulsatilla is another top   Homeopathic medicine for treating PCOS. It is especially beneficial for treating PCOS cases in females who suffer from suppressed periods for a long duration. In women requiring Pulsatilla, the periods when they appear remain very scanty and extremely painful. Homeopathic medicine Pulsatilla removes the obstacles that cause the 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.  Pulsatilla is of great help for young girls at puberty who suffer from PCOS with irregular periods. The physical general symptoms to consider for using Pulsatilla include the total absence of thirst and a desire for cool open air. Open air overall seems to provide relief to the patient. And in the mental sphere, the significant features to take note of are mild, sensitive nature with weeping tendencies. Such a woman weeps at the slightest instance and feels somewhat better when given consolation

APIS MEL. 3X-Apis mel is an excellent remedy for treating cyst in PCOD. Here the prescribing symptoms include suppressed periods and pain in the ovarian region, especially on the right side.The right ovary is swollen , heavy and enlarged.Therefore , lying on the right side may provide relief from the pain in the right ovarian region which is mostly sharp and stinging in nature.The ovarian pain gets worse during menses.

CALCAREA CARB 200—Calcarea carb. is of great help in the treatment of PCOS and is particularly suited when a woman with PCOS suffers 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 Calcarea Carb. Homeopathic medicine Calcarea Carb helps such women in reducing the excessive weight gain very efficiently. There are a few physical general symptoms to look out for while choosing to take Calcarea Carb. The first is excessive sweating on the head. The second is extreme sensitivity to cold air And the last is a peculiar craving in eating habits like a desire for boiled eggs and in a few cases, strange things like chalk and lime.

GRAPHITES 200-Graphites is another effective Homoeopathic medicine for PCOD.Graphites is prescribed when the menses are scanty, pale or suppressed .  Congestion of the head may result from suppressed periods. Another prescribing point is painful swelling of ovaries and an excruciating pain in the right ovary during menses.Constitutional symptoms include timidity, indecisiveness, sadness and a melancholic mood.

NATRUM MUR 200- Natrum Mur is a very beneficial Homeopathic medicine to treat women with PCOS who have irregular and suppressed menstrual cycles. Natrum Mur benefits most women by regularising their menstrual cycles.  Natrum Mur should also be considered for women with difficulty in conception due to PCOS. The important symptoms to look out for while using Natrum Mur are excessively hot sensation, aversion to heat of sun and craving for extra salt in the diet. The mental picture that needs to be considered includes reserved nature of patient, weeping spells especially when alone and worsening of symptoms when sympathy is offered.

CONIUM MACULATUM 30-Conium maculatum is prescribed when acne appears as a result of the menstrual irregularities. The acne is worse before menses appear and disappears as soon as the menstrual flow starts.The menses on the whole are suppressed, scanty or short in cases of PCOD. There is tearing pain in the ovaries , ovaries are enlarged , cramping and a cramping pain in the pelvis during menses.In Conium mac there is swelling and pain in the breasts before periods , that is characteristic. Conium is a good remedy for infertility resulting from PCOD.

LACHESIS 200-Lachesis is an effective remedy with scanty, tardy menses and black menstrual blood, accompanied by pain in the ovaries, predominantly on the left side. Swelling in the left ovary and violent colic during menses.Pain worse in the morning. Cyst in the left ovary .

THUJA OCC. 200-Thuja is a Homeopathic medicine that is considered of great help in PCOS treatment. Thuja is a very efficient Homeopathic medicine and its use is called for when a woman suffers from retarded menstrual flow with multiple cysts in ovaries. Thuja has the innate ability to dissolve abnormal growth or accumulation anywhere in the body. Thus, it has the supreme power to dissolve cysts also. Most women requiring Thuja have cystic growths more pronounced in the left-side ovary. Thuja is also of great help in treatment of extreme hair growth on unusual parts in women due to hormonal imbalance.

KALI CARB. 30-Kali carb is a very beneficial medicine when the medicine when the menses are suppressed altogether for several months.

SENECIO AUREUS 30-- 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 pelvis region and nausea, but the menstrual flow is absent.

SULPHUR , SILICEA 200--Both Sulphur and Silicea are equally helpful Homeopathic medicines for treating acne in women with PCOD. Sulphur brings about excellent results in most cases of acne. The acne may be painful or may itch in persons requiring Homeopathic medicine Sulphur. Silicea is to be considered when the acne contains pus  and they are deep-rooted