PCOS is characterized by sex hormone imbalances and symptoms such as menstrual irregularity, excessive body and/or facial hair, acne, infertility, ovarian cysts, depression, anxiety, and obesity. If improperly managed, PCOS can lead to several serious health issues including diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and endometrial cancer. The drugs often prescribed for the management of PCOS can cause harmful side-effects, and primarily work to manage the symptoms, while ignoring the root cause. Fortunately, you can reverse your PCOS symptoms both safely and naturally, by combing the following three steps with the power of herbal therapy.
3 Steps for Reversing PCOS Symptoms
Step #1: Lose Weight
Weight loss is one of the most effective interventions for PCOS; it can help reduce the severity of symptoms and also reduce the risk for developing health complications associated with PCOS. In order to lose weight you should focus on consuming a wholefoods, plant-based diet, and vastly reduce your intake of sugar, oil, animal products, and processed foods. You should also try to engage in at least one hour of physical activity everyday and make sure to include strength building and cardiovascular exercises, as well as stress-reducing exercises such as yoga.
Step #2: Balance Blood Sugar Levels
More than half of PCOS sufferers struggle with insulin resistance, which is a condition where the body is insensitive to the blood-sugar regulating hormone-insulin. This leads to wildly fluctuating blood sugar levels and the body responds by pumping out more insulin. The excess circulating insulin increases the risk for type-2 diabetes and causes the ovaries to make more testosterone, which worsens PCOS symptoms such as body hair, acne, and menstrual irregularity.
Insulin resistance can also lead to weight gain in two ways. Firstly, excess insulin causes the body to store fat (primarily around the belly); and secondly, blood sugar fluctuations can lead to rampant, insatiable cravings for sugar and junk food. Insulin resistance also interferes with normal ovulation by preventing the body from ovulating or limiting the maturation process of the released egg.
In order to balance blood sugar, incorporate the diet and exercise tips mentioned in step #1, make sure to eat something every 3 hours, and always combine carbs with either a healthy fat or protein source. You should also make quality sleep a priority, and actively reduce mental and emotional stress.
Step #3: Balance Hormones
PCOS results in an imbalance of sex hormones and balancing those hormones can help to dramatically reduce PCOS symptoms and risks, and simultaneous make weight loss easier. The dietary and lifestyle tips mentioned above can help to balance hormones, but will likely not be enough to completely reverse imbalances. Fortunately, there are many safe herbs that can work adjunctively to produce greater hormone-balancing results.
Herbal Therapy for PCOS
Herbs for Weight Loss
There are many herbs that can also help you lose weight. Artichoke leaf is one that can help in a roundabout, yet notable way because it helps in the regeneration of healthy liver cells. This is beneficial because the liver is responsible for the metabolism of fat and a sluggish liver can result in the build-up and storage of excess fat. By enhancing liver function, artichoke leaf can also help in the processing and balancing of hormones. Many other herbs can also aid in weight loss, primarily due to the effect they have on blood sugar and/or hormone levels.
Herbs for Balancing Blood Sugar
Amla is a popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine, that not only helps balance blood sugar, but also helps enhance liver health, and may even promote hair growth in women who suffer from alopecia due to PCOS. Cinnamon, chromium, berberine HCL, and citrus bergamia are also highly beneficial for fighting insulin resistance, regulating blood sugar, and promoting weight loss.
Herbs for Balancing Hormones
Women with PCOS typically have higher-than-normal levels of male hormones, particularly testosterone, and researchers have found that licorice root may help to naturally reduce those testosterone levels. Licorice root also helps to promote ovulation and aids in weight loss, making it triply beneficial for PCOS sufferers. Vitex (chasteberry) is another beneficial herb; it helps to balance female hormones and promotes menstrual regularity. One final herb worth mentioning is Maca. This Peruvian herb helps support female reproductive health by balancing the sex hormones, plus it enhances energy, mood, sex drive, and fertility.
Considerations
Taking a ton of different supplements can be cumbersome, and financially draining. Plus, herbs can interact with each other, and achieving a safe and effective dosage of each herb is a job best left to the professionals. PCOS Heart Plus (insert hyperlink https://delgadoprotocol.com/product/pcos-cardio-heart-plus/), is formulated by a team of doctors and natural health experts, and it contains a blend of over 20 ingredients that are clinically proven to benefit PCOS sufferers — including all the herbs mentioned above. The propriety blend not only balances blood sugar and hormones, but also helps to fight acne, support reproductive health and fertility, boost energy, fight aging (by scavenging free radicals), and enhance heart and bone health.
*Always consult with a healthcare practitioner before starting a new herb or supplement.
