In very simple terms, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a problem with various hormonal manifestations. It presents a variety of symptoms like difficulty in losing weight, tendency to gain weight around the waist/belly area, irregular or sometimes grossly delayed periods, excess facial hair, acne, difficulty in conceiving, recurrent miscarriages, etc. It is not necessary that one will have these symptoms or problems all at once. While some patients may have recurrent miscarriages, others may have had children easily but battle delayed periods and weight gain. PCOS is the most common cause of menstrual irregularity in women between the ages 15 to 45 years. For women suffering either from infertility, recurrent miscarriage, or weight gain, PCOS is responsible for 50 per cent of the problems. This, however, is not something that has suddenly evolved, it has been around for years. But definitely, there has been a marked increase maybe because of poor eating habits, lifestyle choices such as lack of exercise, or rising environmental pollution.
Ayurveda classifies PCOS as a kapha disorder. PCOS is due to kapha (a constituent of the body called phlegm) blocking vata (air/wind) and pitta (digestive process), hence movement is obstructed and the transformation process is suppressed. Depending on the symptoms of PCOS, a variety of herbal options exist. Modern science offers mostly birth control pills to regulate cycles, anti-diabetic medicines such as metformin/glucophage for hyperinsulinemia and synthetic hormone tablets such as clomid to force ovulation. Taking hormone tablets further depletes your endocrinal system and puts them to sleep. What then has to be released by the body naturally, once delivered through artificial means, makes it difficult as it puts the body in a lazy mode. The hormone replacement treatment (HRT) may give you good results, but it is not recommended for extensive periods as it can cause other problems.
Author Dr Gitanjali Arora, is an ayurvedic consultant who lives in India and visits Trinidad and Tobago often to share her knowledge and expertise. She can be reached at 778-8010 or draroraindia@gmail.com
General tips to manage PCOS
• Eat at regular intervals. Any variation puts pressure on the glands. Timing must be maintained.
• Salt restriction is another major aspect. Prepare food with rock salt.
• Have a papaya for breakfast or dinner at least two to three times a week until your cycle regularises. The intake of porridge is also beneficial.
• Avoid sleeping after lunch.
• Stay away from brinjals (baigans), peas, peanuts, cauliflower, seafood, pickles, curd, green chillies, mustard and bakery products.
• Amla/immune fruit is a natural boon, very rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. It is highly beneficial for women to flush out toxins and works in patients suffering from side effects caused by hormonal drugs.
• Ten to 12 leaves of Tulsi (basil) either raw or boiled in water should be taken early in the morning. This shows noticeable improvement within ten to 12 weeks. Treatment must be accompanied with appropriate lifestyle and dietary intake.
Get excerpts from All About Food & Females, KITCHEN CLINIC 3 which was launched on Friday at Plaza de Montrose, Chaguanas.