The problem of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (or PCOS) is one of the most common women’s health problems worldwide. PCOS has physical and emotional impacts. Women with PCOS frequently experience irregular menstrual cycles, changing weight, increased emotional struggles from their hair and/or skin changes, and issues with getting pregnant. Many women find it very difficult to navigate through all of these struggles, as most of the treatments offered are traditional chemical-based treatments (aka pills) and/or artificial hormone therapies that only manage or treat the symptoms of PCOS, but do not address any of the imbalances that are causing those symptoms.
The perspective that Ayurveda takes in addressing PCOS is quite different from that of the Western perspective. In the case of PCOS, Ayurveda does not consider this as a medical condition, but rather as a physical condition that arises as a result of an imbalance in almost every system in the female body. According to Ayurveda, by restoring balance in the lives of women who have been diagnosed with PCOS, they can achieve long-term health by promoting good digestion, ridding the body of toxins that exist in their system, and helping them become more aware of their bodies by developing routines based on the natural cycles of their bodies. In this way, women who have been diagnosed with PCOS can reclaim their sense of self-worth as they continue to improve their lives.
Ayurvedic Treatment for PCOS in Hyderabad
PCOS as understood in Ayurveda and hormonal imbalance
In Ayurveda, it is believed that imbalances in the doshas — Vata, Pitta and Kapha, coupled with the accumulation of ama (toxins) in the body, lead to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The accumulation of excess kapha, which reduces metabolic function, ultimately contributes to the formation of cysts on the ovaries (Creatas et al 2011). An unhealthy urinary tract causes hormonal imbalances in the body, which are related to the function of organs in the body. Food intake and the levels of stress will also greatly affect hormone levels within the body, which are two of the primary contributing factors that lead to imbalanced hormone levels.
Key Ayurvedic Treatments for PCOS
Herbal Remedies
Herbs have long been regarded as the “hidden treasures” of our planet, being utilized for centuries within Ayurvedic medicinal practices. Herbal supplements can help women manage their hormonal balance when treating polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS. Some of the most commonly used herbs in Ayurvedic medicine used to improve reproductive health are ashwagandha, shatavari, turmeric, and several other herbs. These herbs also play a role in working with the endocrine system to decrease stress levels and aid digestive function.
Ayurvedic herbal remedies for PCOS
Ayurvedic medicinal herbs aid in establishing hormonal balance and nourishing the body by nourishing the endocrine system. Ashwagandha is one of the many herbal remedies found in Ayurvedic medicinal practices to assist women in becoming pregnant, therefore making them formidable allies for women diagnosed with PCOS. Other examples of Ayurvedic herbal remedies that are extremely effective in restoring balance to the female reproductive organs and alleviating stress and creating good digestion include shatavari, turmeric, and many more.
Ashwagandha:
Adaptogens are a class of herbs that can help with stress, an incredibly important aspect of hormonal irregularity and PCOS. Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb used in alternative medicine, is considered one of the best natural mood enhancers for women experiencing PCOS and stress due to irregular periods.
Shatavari:
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is one herb in a long list from Ayurveda that has been used as an herbal remedy for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).It helps to balance hormone levels by helping to regulate estrogen production, increase fertility, and support women who experience irregular menstruation. It is also said to help improve reproductive health because of its antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory properties (by potentially reducing some symptoms of PCOS).
Turmeric:
Curcumin, a compound present in turmeric, modifies how insulin reacts in your system. Curcumin contains anti-inflammatory effects, helping with controlling continual inflammation from PCOS and reversing insulin resistance with insulin resistance and PCOS. Turmeric can increase your metabolism, as well as assist with the balance of how much estrogen is being produced by your body. A woman suffering from PCOS usually has the symptoms of gaining weight and developing an acne-like rash. Turmeric can naturally help to alleviate these common symptoms associated with PCOS.
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon has anti-diabetic properties that can improve blood sugar levels, which is one of the most important factors that can cause PCOS. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to treat inflammation in the bodies of women. Women can use cinnamon to regularise their menstrual cycles and maintain an appropriate weight to regulate their hormone levels.
Dietary Recommendations
Kapha Pacifying Diet
A diet that will pacify the energy of kapha is an important tool in the management of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), as it has the effect of reducing the heavy and slow qualities of kapha, which can cause weight gain, insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance. A kapha-pacifying diet consists of foods that are hot, light and spiced to stimulate metabolism and promote good digestion. By using a kapha pacifying diet created specifically for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a woman can find balance in her kapha dosha.
The Importance of Warm and Light Meals
In your meal plan for PCOS to create a diet that encourages Kapha balancing, you should use easy-to-digest, light and warm foods, including:
- Vegetables – Fresh Vegetables: such as kale or spinach, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, and beets.
- Whole Grains – Brown rice, quinoa/barley.
- Fruits – Ripe to sweet tasting: apples, bananas or other very sweet fruits. Other Less Sweet Fruits: blueberries, blackberries and pomegranates.
- Other Dried Fruits: almonds, walnuts, pistachios, chia seeds, sesame and other berries.
- Legumes – lentils/chickpeas/mung beans, and any legumes.
- Spices – ginger, turmeric, cumin, and black pepper — promote proper digestion and metabolism.
- Fats: Low-fat dairy products (buttermilk, etc.) assist with weight loss as part of your PCOS diet plan. Heavy/High Fats – Avoid all fried in oil and butter.
Dietary Restrictions for PCOS Include: Avoid Hybrid and Frozen Foods
Women with PCOS should avoid frozen, packaged, and high-sugar foods on the Kapha-dominant diet. Many processed food items are associated with high-fat content. For instance, packaged snack foods, instant noodles, and processed meat products are high-fat choices. Refined and processed sugar foods, frozen foods and high-fructose corn syrup foods slow down metabolism and lead to increased weight gain. In addition to being helpful for maintaining proper digestion, eating these types of foods may also be beneficial for greater hormonal health.
Ayurvedic Treatments for PCOS and Balanced Hormones
There are several ways you can detoxify and refresh your body’s systems using Ayurveda to create an environment for optimal hormonal function. Examples of some of the best options include:
Panchakarma Detoxification
Panchakarma is a five-part detoxification program designed to remove toxic buildup from the body that may have been deeply established over time. The program enables an individual to restore balance to their doshas (energies) as well as create a clean and healthy environment for reproduction. The five methods that are used in this program include therapeutic vomiting (Vamana), cleansing through purging (Virechana), medicated enema (Basti), the administration of cleansing herbs via nasal passages (Nasya), and blood-letting (Raktamokshana). Women suffering from PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) will benefit from both Virechana & Basti to address excess Kapha within their bodies and regulate their menstrual cycles.
Abhyanga (Massage with Oil)
Oil Massages can help you in enhancing your circulation and decreasing your stress level. In addition, oil massages have the added benefits of stimulating your lymphatic system due to the heat used during the massage. By using oil during your massage, you may also enhance the function of your ovaries while reducing the occurrence of bloating and fatigue.
Stress, Hormonal Imbalance, and Shirodhara
The nerves in our body produce hormones and regulate hormone functions. Too much stress can create hormonal imbalance. To reduce stress and regulate hormones, one of the most effective methods is to undergo a therapy called Shirodhara. This can be done by pouring oil gently on the forehead. This can calm our nervous system and bring our cortisol levels to normal so that we can relax more.
The therapy of Shirodhara can be very helpful to any woman who faces irregular periods due to stress.
Conclusion
Ayurveda is an excellent option for anyone suffering from polycystic ovaries or underdeveloped ovaries. Ayurveda provides an alternative avenue of healing by restoring the body’s health naturally. This is the primary purpose of Ayurveda: to heal through natural means. So whether you choose to use Ayurveda to treat your polycystic ovaries or are just trying out other natural remedies for healing, you will benefit from using Ayurveda.
You must understand that as you begin working with Ayurvedic practices, you will have to give it some time before you notice any changes in or improvements to your body. There is a very good chance of improvement due to the long history of Ayurvedic medicine and how effective it has been throughout time. In addition, Ayurveda promotes balance and wellness in all areas of life. You may experience gradual improvement with some practices. Still, overall, it takes time for the body to heal through all the different methods of healing.
The benefits of using Ayurveda will often take longer to arrive than the benefits gained from other forms of therapy. However, when those benefits do occur, they usually have a much greater impact and can be more profound. For women who experience complex cycles, hormonal imbalances and/or stress symptoms, Ayurveda will help your body to learn how to heal itself again.