Kick Your Cysts to the Curb!

05 Feb Kick Your Cysts to the Curb!

Day 1

Most of you reading this article have probably researched the heck out of PCOS and know what it is by now, so let’s get down to the nitty gritty.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome pretty much means that a woman’s hormones are out of balance and affects 5 to 10% of women of reproductive age.  The diagnosis is based on three factors:  cysts present on the ovaries, insulin resistance, and physical characteristics, such as, increased body hair, acne, and thinning hair. Her androgen levels are abnormally high, which leads to one or more of the following symptoms:

• Acne:  usually cystic, painful, and embarrassing;
• Weight gain:  a large percentage around the middle area;
• Irregular periods:  no period at all or cycles that are 45 days +;
• Change in sex life:  painful sex or lack of sex drive;
• Brain fog;
• Mood swings;
• Low energy;
• A decline in self-esteem;
• Hirsutism:  excessive amounts of hair in areas where hair normally is absent in women;
• Infertility.

Most women with PCOS are prescribed medications, which treat the symptoms, such as birth control pills, spironolactone, and metformin.  Even though it is refreshing to mask the symptoms of PCOS, the normal medications prescribed have a plethora of side effects, so women are faced with the difficult decision of whether they want to live PCOS associated symptoms or the side effects of medications prescribed to treat PCOS.  Due to this alternative options are sought out, which include supplementation with herbs and/or minerals.  Researching the benefits of the herbs, how much to take, and what it improves can be quite a cumbersome task.  Even so, it is well worth the time and energy because numerous women have shared stories of combatting PCOS naturally with herb and mineral supplementation.  I don’t know about you, but I would much rather nourish by body rather than plaguing it with side-effects and chemicals.