Guide To Understanding PCOS – An Ayurvedic Perspective

The month of September is a federally designated event of PCOS awareness to educate the girls about PCOS. With this blog here’s an attempt to make people aware of the disease, its causes, symptoms along with some tips to improve their lifestyle.

A woman’s body experiences many changes in adolescents as the menstrual cycle starts, Women’s good health is always emphasized with a good healthy regular menstrual cycle yet nowadays 5-10% of females of 18-44yrs of age are affected by menstrual abnormalities But when we think more about the menstrual abnormalities there are some other associated symptoms like an excessive breakout of acne, loss of hair from the top and sides of the head, and excessive body hair or facial hair.

These symptoms all collectively emphasized under the category PCOS–A Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, when one diagnosed with PCOS there are several questions along with fear from this disease.

PCOS is emerging as one of the major health problems with complex conditions. It is categorized as a lifestyle disorder. In simple terms, PCOS is a disease caused due to the person’s lifestyle, there is a need for a multimodular approach in treating PCOS and for treating the lifestyle disorders as the main goal is to modify the lifestyle and with the help of Ayurveda, one can achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Underlying Causes

The causes of PCOS are unidentified until now, but with ongoing researches, several hypotheses help in understanding the causes of PCOS.

 Some proposed hypotheses are-

• Genes play a role in PCOS. (Anuvanshika)
• Environmental factors like poor diet (Mithyahara) and lack of exercise (Avyayam)
• Hyperinsulinemia (A condition in which there is a high level of insulin in the blood)
• Hyperandrogenism (A condition in which there is a high level of the hormone androgen in the body)
• Obesity (Sthaulya)

With a change in lifestyle and adapting the poor diet accompanying with lack of exercise incidence of PCOS is increased wildly. Ayurveda sees the underlying causes of cysts (granthis) in the ovaries as a problem in the Artava dhatu. 

 

Related Health Issues To PCOS

PCOS not only causes menstrual abnormalities there are some other comorbidities also such as –

• Obesity
• Dyslipidaemia
• Hypertension
• Metabolic syndrome
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders
• Infertility

 

Clinical Presentation Of PCOS:

• Anaemia
• Oligomenorrhea (A condition where the menstrual cycle length is extended to 35days or more)
• Delayed bleeding and scanty bleeding.
• Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods and pain.
• Secondary Amenorrhea (Absence of menstrual bleeding from 2-3 months)
• Acne
• Oily Skin
• Pelvic Pain
• Alopecia (Hair fall in small patches especially at the top and sides of the head)
• Hirsutism (A condition that results in the growth of dark and thick hair on the face, chest, and back)

 

Ayurveda Approach On PCOS

PCOS direct correlation in Ayurveda is difficult, but due to its symptoms, it seems related to Artavavyapad (menstrual disorders) as menstrual abnormalities are the main feature of PCOS.

The main goal in treating the PCOS other than lifestyle modifications is through-

• Panchakarma (detoxification of the body)
• Balancing and pacification of vitiated doshas through medicines.
• Strengthening and Revitalizing of the body.
• Correction of Ama Dosha which is caused by bad food habits.

There are some medicinal herbs helpful in treating PCOS such as-

• Methi
• Lahsun
• Guduchi (Kaphara, Thiktha for insulin resistance)
• Triphala
• Ashoka
• Aloe-vera
• Kulathi
• Shatavari
• Shatpushpa
• Ashwagandha

 

Diet And Lifestyle Modifications Recommended In PCOS

• Drink water 2-3 litres daily.
• 3 main meals and 3 times snack.
• Never skip breakfast (eat breakfast within 2 hours of waking up)
• Track your menstrual cycle.
• Take the stairs
• 10 time sit up
• Walking during lunch break.
• Exercise at least 30 min daily.
• A healthy approach to eating.
• Fresh fruits like Apples, Bananas, berries, grapes, melon, oranges, and peaches should be consumed.
• Vegetables like Cabbage, broccoli, carrots, corn, cucumber, eggplant, mushrooms, and onion should be included in daily meals.
• Restrict the quantity of meat to once in a month.
• Dried fruits like almonds, walnuts, raisins, dates, and cashews should be consumed as a healthy snack.
• Healthy drinks like coconut water, low-fat milk, and buttermilk should be consumed.
• Avoid packaged processed foods, energy drinks, and junk food.
• Limit the use of caffeine.
• Practice good sleep hygiene.
• Restricts the consumption of excessive sweets.

 

 

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