Naturopathic Doctors For PCOS

Understanding PCOS & Pregnancy

Many women with PCOS struggle to become pregnant. This is because the high levels of male hormones prevent the release of an egg (ovulation).

Women with PCOS are also at a higher risk of developing complications during pregnancy. However, by managing the symptoms, many women with PCOS can become pregnant and also have a healthy baby.

You can increase your chances of getting pregnant by maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy, exercising, and monitoring ovulation and timing sexual intercourse around ovulation.

If none of these recommendations work, your doctor might order fertility tests and prescribe fertility medications to help you ovulate. With lifestyle changes or infertility treatment, majority of women with PCOS do become pregnant.

Blood Sugar Awareness Video - HealthBuddha

Blood Sugar Awareness for Optimal Hormonal Health

PCOS and its Relation with Infertility Video - HealthBuddha

What PCOS is and how it relates to infertility

PCOS and Pregnancy Risk: PCOS and pregnancy can also increase your risk of some complications, such as miscarriage, high blood pressure induced by the pregnancy, gestational diabetes, premature birth, need for caesarean delivery, risk of the baby dying around the time of delivery, and of being admitted to a new-born intensive care unit. It is important that you speak to your doctor if you have PCOS and are pregnant. The risk of complications during your pregnancy can be reduced by monitoring PCOS symptoms and taking extra care.

Dr. Robyn Murphy, ND in Toronto - HealthBuddha

Robyn Murphy

Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto

Dr. Viktoriya Zabigaylo, ND in Mississauga - HealthBuddha

Viktoriya Zabigaylo

Naturopathic Doctor in Mississauga

Dr. Denise Handscomb, ND in Oakville - HealthBuddha

Denise Handscomb

Naturopathic Doctor in Oakville

Dr. Deborah Kennedy, ND in Markham - HealthBuddha

Deborah Kennedy

Naturopathic Doctor in Markham

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Losing Weight with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and inflammation related to PCOS make it difficult for women with this condition to shed weight. However, even a weight loss of approximately 5% can improve insulin resistance, hormone levels, menstrual cycles, fertility, and overall quality of life in women with PCOS.

Best Practices for PMS and PMDD - HealthBuddha

Best Practices for PMS and PMDD

Getting pregnant with PCOS - HealthBuddha

Getting pregnant with PCOS with Dr. Jodie Peacock ND

In order to achieve weight loss in PCOS, consider the following naturopathic doctors:

Dr. Jenna Priestap, ND in Vaughan - HealthBuddha

Jenna Priestap

Naturopathic Doctor in Cambridge

Dr. Marika Berni, ND in Toronto - HealthBuddha

Marika Berni

Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto

Dr. Sheldy Ordon, ND in Vaughan - HealthBuddha

Shelly Ordon

Naturopathic Doctor in Vaughan

Dr. Christina De Avila, ND in Toronto - HealthBuddha

Christina De Avila

Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto

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Blood Sugar Awareness for Optimal Hormonal Health

Non-Surgical PCOS Treatment

Dietary Modifications

Dietary Modifications

In order to achieve weight loss in PCOS, it is important to stop junk food, and packaged food items. Avoid excessive intake of carbohydrates and white bread. Instead, eat healthy, fresh, and local. Your PCOS diet should include lots of fresh green vegetables and home-cooked food.

Exercise & Weight Loss

Exercise & Weight Loss

Work consistently towards your health and get your body mass index (BMI) in control. Exercise, stay active and reduce weight. Your health and mood improve greatly when your weight is kept in check.

Medicines

Medicines

For those seeking pregnancy, anti-androgens and fertility drugs may be prescribed. Medicinal treatment differs according to the particular case.

PCOS Statistics

1.4 million

Canadian women are diagnosed with PCOS

4%–20%

Women of reproductive age worldwide are affected with PCOS

40%

Women with PCOS who will develop type 2 diabetes

40%

Women diagnosed with PCOS also suffer from depression and self-esteem issues

77%

women, staying physically active and walking 30 minutes a day regularly can manage PCOS

3X

the increased risk of women with PCOS developing endometrial cancer

Causes of PCOS

While the exact causes of PCOS are unknown, genetics are thought to play a key role. Other factors that play a role in causing PCOS are:

Unhealthy dietary practices and less and irregular sleep cycle are also thought to play a role in PCOS.

High Androgen Level

High androgen levels prevent ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). This causes irregular menstrual cycles. Irregular ovulation may also cause cysts or small, fluid-filled sacs to develop in the ovaries. High androgen is also the cause of acne and excess hair growth in women.

Insulin Resistance

Increased insulin levels cause the ovaries to make and release male hormone (androgens). This suppresses ovulation and contributes to other symptoms of PCOS. Insulin plays an important role in controlling the way the body processes glucose (sugar) and uses it for energy. In case of insulin resistance, the body doesn't process insulin correctly. This leads to high glucose levels in the blood. Insulin resistance can lead to diabetes. Being overweight or having obesity can also lead to insulin resistance.

Low-Grade Inflammation

Low Grade Inflammation -HealthBuddha

Those with PCOS are often found to have chronic low-grade inflammation. Blood tests that measure levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells can indicate the level of inflammation in the body.

PCOS Symptoms

The common PCOS symptoms include:-

Irregular periods

This may include missing periods, scanty periods, not having a period at all, or heavy bleeding during periods. This could be a PCOS sign.

Abnormal hair growth

This is seen in excess facial hair and heavy hair growth on the arms, chest and abdomen. Hirsutism, or excessive and abnormal hair growth, affects up to 70% of women with PCOS.

Acne

PCOS signs may include acne on the face, chest and back. This type of acne may continue past the teenage years and may also be difficult to treat.

Obesity

About 80% of women with PCOS are overweight or have obesity. They have trouble losing weight.

Darkening of the skin

Darkening of skin in patches in seen especially in the folds of the neck, armpits, groin (between the legs) and under the breasts.

Cysts

Many women with PCOS develop cysts or small pockets of fluid in their ovaries.

Skin tags

Skin tags or little flaps of extra skin are often found in the armpits or on the neck in women with PCOS.

Hair thinning

PCOS can cause baldness or hair loss on the head in patches.

Infertility

PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility. A woman is unable to conceive due to decreased frequency or lack of ovulation.

Consulting a Doctor at HealthBuddha

When To Consult a Doctor

It is recommended that you consult your gynaecologist when you notice your first irregular cycle or an abnormal symptom. An early diagnosis, based on PCOS symptoms, could help curb the condition in the early stage itself.

Regular, gynaecological check-ups at least once a year help to stay in sync with your body, recognise every irregularity, and pick up on PCOS signs.

Diagnosis of PCOS - HealthBuddha

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider can diagnose PCOS after an examination. Blood tests or an ultrasound may be recommended to arrive at the diagnosis.

Some points your healthcare provider will cover:

  • Your symptoms and medical history
  • Your family’s medical history
  • Take your weight and blood pressure
  • Perform a physical exam, and look specifically for excess facial hair, hair loss, acne, discoloured skin and skin tags.
  • Perform a pelvic exam to look for swollen ovaries or other growths in your uterus.
  • Order blood tests to check hormone levels, fasting cholesterol, glucose tolerance and triglyceride levels.
  • Perform a pelvic ultrasound to check for cysts in your ovaries and check the thickness of the lining of your uterus.
Discussion with Doctor - HealthBuddha

Discuss With Your Doctor

Do not hesitate to discuss your doubts with your doctor for better clarity about the condition. Some points of discussion can include -

  • Is PCOS curable
  • PCOS treatment options available
  • Changes you can make to manage your PCOS
  • Exercises/ yoga asanas that can help you
  • The kind of PCOS diet you should follow
  • Any associated risks that you should be prepared for
  • Whether PCOS affects fertility
  • How to manage your fertility through PCOS
  • Whether you will be able to conceive naturally
  • The preventive line of treatment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There is evidence that shows PCOS has a genetic or hereditary component.

Yes, you can get pregnant if you have PCOS. However, PCOS can make it hard to conceive and also increases your risk for certain pregnancy complications. Your healthcare provider will help develop a treatment plan to help you ovulate, and increase your chances for a healthy and successful pregnancy.

Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance that disrupts the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and possibly, conception. The hormones that play a role in PCOS are androgens (like testosterone and androstenedionfe), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), oestrogen, progesterone, and insulin.

While both are different conditions, they are linked to ovarian cysts and infertility. In endometriosis, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows in other places like the ovaries, vagina or fallopian tubes. It causes pelvic pain or severe menstrual cramps. Women with PCOS have irregular periods, unpredictable ovulation and other physical side effects due to excess male hormones.

Certain foods are definitely best avoided, such as carbohydrates like in pastries, white bread; carbonated or aerated drinks; sugary drinks; processed or frozen foods; and excess red meat such as pork, beef or hamburgers.

Unfortunately, PCOS cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. Treatment options can vary depending on the range of symptoms someone with PCOS may be experiencing. PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity. Specific treatment might involve lifestyle changes or medication.

PCOS and pregnancy are not entirely incompatible! While it is harder to get pregnant if you have PCOS, pregnancy can definitely happen as many women with PCOS still ovulate intermittently. Talk to your doctor about fertility treatment.There are a number of medications that can stimulate ovulation, which is the main issue that women with PCOS face.

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