When women are faced with a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) to explain their fertility issues, hirsutism, acne and possible weight gain they are often left scrambling for help.
All too often, they feel unsupported, misunderstood and are left with their symptoms not managed optimally.
In today's episode we discuss why PCOS is probably a misnomer, given the fact that "polycystic ovaries" isn't the hallmark of this disorder. Rather, newer guidelines reveal ovarian androgens being the major reason, and the new target, for the syndrome picture. Moreover the classical "apple-shaped" obesity has been shown to be false.
Rebecca Hughes, a Naturopath and Functional Medicine Practitioner at the Melbourne Functional Medicine Clinic is a super-sleuth who's caring nature won't let her rest until she fully understands what's causing her patients' ill-health. Rebecca is not just expert and handling complex hormonal disorders, but skillful at remedying them as well!
In today's episode, we'll discuss presenting symptoms, the underlying pathology, and appropriate nutritional, herbal and lifestyle measures to help these women regain hormonal control and regain their previous vitality.
REFERENCES:
Teede H, Misso M, Costello M, et al. and the International PCOS Network. International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Monash University, Melbourne Australia 2018. (Accessed 2023 May 23). [Full Text]
Arentz S, Abbott JA, Smith CA, et al. Herbal medicine for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated oligo/amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism; a review of the laboratory evidence for effects with corroborative clinical findings. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Dec 18;14:511. [Full Text]
Grant P, Ramasamy S. An update on plant derived anti-androgens. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Spring;10(2):497-502. [Full Text]