How to Naturally Cure PCOS and PCOD

Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a condition which affects a women’s hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher than normal amounts of male hormones. PCOD or polycystic ovary disorder is when the disorder is limited to your ovaries. When this disorder starts affecting your entire body, it is called PCOS. This hormonal imbalance causes the women to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant. PCOS can also cause hair growth on the face and body and baldness. It can also contribute to long term health problems like diabetes and heart disease. It is vital to diagnose the symptoms at the early stage and take preventive measures.

What is PCOS ?

PCOS is a problem with hormones that affects women during their childbearing years that is from ages 16 to 45 years. Almost 25% of women in this age group have PCOS. Many women who have PCOS don’t know that they have it.

• PCOS affects a women’s ovaries. The ovaries release eggs to be fertilised. This process is called ovulation.
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH) control ovulation. FSH stimulates the ovary to produce a follicle (sac containing egg) and then LH triggers the ovary to release a mature egg
• PCOS is a syndrome that affects the ovaries and ovulation. It’s main features include
• Cysts in ovaries
• High levels of male hormones
• Irregular periods
• Many small fluid filled sacs grow inside ovaries. These sacs are actually follicles each containing an immature egg. These eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation
• This lack of ovulation alters levels of estrogen, FSH, LH
• Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle so women with PCOS get fewer periods than usual

Tips to cure PCOS / PCOD

1. Diet tips

• Have food with low glycemic index
• Wholegrain, vegetables and fruits are some examples of food with low glycemic index
• Avoid having processed food, refines sugar and sweets
• Have good quality protein
• Veg :Pulses, legumes, nuts, curd and paneer
• Non Veg :Eggs, chicken and good quality fish
• Include healthy fat in your diet
• Have vitamin A,D,E and omega 3 and 6
• Some examples are coconut oil, flax seeds, olive oil, rice bran oil, fish oil, walnuts, sesame and soaked nuts
• Have 5-6 short meals in the day
• Eat frequently, control the portion size
• Finish your last meal atleast 2 1/2 hours before going to bed
• Avoid food that is over heated or over cooked
• Avoid soups, broths, slow cooked meals
• Avoid genetically modified food
• It is easy to identify
  • Five digit code starting with 9 means the food is organic eg94129
  • Four digit code starting with 4 means the food is conventional eg 4125
  • Five digit code starting with 8 means the food is genetically modified eg 84803
• Include calcium, selenium, iron, zinc, chromium and vitamins D, B 12 and E in your diet
• Avoid conventional diary
• Have homemade curd, paneer and cheese in moderation
• Reduce consumption of caffeine, frozen or packed food, junk or refined food, soft drinks or energy drinks
• Avoid ice creams, shakes and instant food
• Include flax seeds, methi, cinnamon, carrot seeds, moringa, cumin seeds, gooseberries, walnuts and berries in your diet

2. No toxins

• Don’t use plastic containers for any storing any food
• Use steel or glass containers instead
• No use of parabens
• Cleansing products
• Make up
• Hair products
• Avoid pesticides found in day to day food

3. Exercise

• Exercise daily is a must
• Do dedicated walks, jog
• Indulge in aerobic and yoga
• Be regular in your workouts. Consistency matters
• You can exercise during periods but avoid doing exercises that put pressure on your pelvic area
• Follicular phase is the best time to increase intensity

4. Avoid stress

• Try and reduce stress in your life
• This will reduce the harmful cortisol hormone in your body
• Work on your relations with people
• Do you which you like doing
• Laugh, dance, travel, read

5. Sleep well

• Good sleep improves growth hormones
• Don’t keep any gadgets in your room
• Sleep early
• Maintain ideal room temperature while sleeping
• Don’t keep your any phones near the bed

6. Make up / cosmetics

• Use good quality products when you have to
• Go organic
• Don’t experiment a lot with products, even with home remedies
• Stay make up free whenever possible, let your skin breath

7. Keep track

• Keep a food book
• Track improvements in your workouts
• Get regular medical check ups done

8. Have patience and do your best

• PCOS and PCOD is curable but it takes time to be cured
• Keep doing your bit and be patient