Natural News for Women » PCOS

Ask Marilyn – Star Question: my daughter has PCOS – is there anything she can do to increase her chances of conceiving?

Marilyn — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:20:48 +0000

Q: My daughter is about to get married and is keen to start a family. Since the age of 17, she has suffered from Polycystic Ovaries, showing symptoms such as facial hair, hair loss and a weight problem. She has also been warned that conception may be more complicated for her. She used to have infrequent periods but now has them regularly every 5 to 6 weeks. The normal help for her condition, such as the contraceptive pill or metformin, she cannot be prescribed as the first gave her occasional blackouts and the second nausea. She keeps her weight under control by sensible eating but even so is probably a little more than she should be for her height. Is there any advice you would give her to increase her chances of conceiving?

A: In each menstrual cycle, follicles (which contain eggs) grow on the ovaries. One of these follicles will reach maturity faster than the others and be released at ovulation. The remaining follicles will degenerate. In the case of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the ovaries are much larger than normal, and there are a series of undeveloped follicles that appear in clumps, like a bunch of grapes. This can cause…

Discovering herbs: Agnus Castus

Marilyn — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:50:27 +0000

The common name of this pretty herb is Chaste Tree, harking back to the Crusaders’ belief that it would crush their wives’ libidos whilst they were off crusading. Whether it actually achieved this effect is doubtful as it is now recognised as boosting female fertility and easing menstrual symptoms.

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Case Study: Polcystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Marilyn — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:30:58 +0000

This month’s case study is 30 year old ‘Julie’ – who came to the Clinic because of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

During my early twenties while I was at university my periods became quite erratic. I would often go 3 months without a period. All the time I was at university I put this down to stress as I had heard this can interfere with our menstrual cycles. It was actually quite nice not having too many periods! When I reached 30 I suddenly started being more aware of my periods and what was happening to my body. I noticed that I was also developing more hair around my chin and inner thighs. I had developed some acne on my back which was very unusual as I had always had such clear skin. I was putting on weight rapidly, particularly around my middle, which was also distressing. I decided to go to my GP who said that I had a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). I asked what this meant and all he said was it was a condition of hormone imbalance and it is linked high testosterone. He recommended I go on the Pill which he said would regulate my periods. I explained that I was not keen to take the Pill and would rather have more investigations. He was reluctant to recommend anything else apart from the Pill so I decided to do my own research.

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Ask Marilyn: What’s the best way for a PCOS sufferer to lose weight?

Marilyn — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:40:05 +0000

Q: I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and need to lose a couple of stone in weight. I’m finding this very hard. My doctor has suggested that I limit my carbohydrate intake. Is this the right thing for me to do?

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Eating to beat PCOS

Marilyn — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:40:15 +0000

PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common hormonal disturbance among premenopausal women, affecting as many as one in five women. It is the leading cause of infertility due to lack of ovulation.

Symptoms of PCOS, which vary from the mild to the severe and from woman to woman, include:

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Ask Marilyn – Star Question: binge eating and PCOS?

Marilyn — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:20:00 +0000

Q: Our daughter is 19yrs old and tends to binge eat when she is angry or upset.

She also has polycystic ovaries. I have read this can cause mood swings. She also has a birch allergy to specific fruits and vegetables when eaten raw and all kinds of nuts.

Can you please make any suggestions on diet that can help? She also appears to have an intolerance to milk which makes her sick.

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Ask Marilyn – Star Question: PCOS, Insulin Resistance and the Menopause

Marilyn — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:20:30 +0000

Q: I have PCOS, am insulin resistant and showing symptoms of the menopause. I would also like to lose the fat around my middle. Is it OK to combine the ‘fat around the middle’ supplements with ‘MenoPlus’ and ‘Black Cohosh Plus’? I took the ‘fat around the middle’ supplements during last year and found them extremely effective so would very much like to use them again. Also is it safe to take them for longer than the 3 months you recommend as my weight loss seemed to stall once I had stopped them?

– Anonymous, Oxford

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Ask Marilyn: Help with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Marilyn — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 11:44:26 +0000

Q: I have polycystic ovary syndrome. Can you recommend any self-help suggestions?

A: Women with PCOS can experience a number of symptoms including weight gain, few periods, acne and excess body hair. Over the last few years, the nutritional approach to PCOS has revolutionised the treatment of this problem. Studies have shown that when women with PCOS lose weight, testosterone levels fall, insulin levels go down and hair growth is less and in one study, 92% of women with PCOS who were not ovulating conceived naturally after reducing their weight.

Eat a good diet and avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates (like white flour) and caffeine, as all these will cause blood sugar fluctuations and the release of excess insulin. Insulin makes the ovaries produce more testosterone.

Also add in a good multivitamin and mineral and extra chromium (to help control blood sugar fluctuations), B vitamins for efficient metabolism and co-enzyme Q10 to help weight loss (The supplement called NutriPlus I use in the clinic has all these nutrients combined). For more information on PCOS, see my book The Nutritional Health Handbook for Women.