Ten Ways to Manage Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Infertility Naturally

PCOS infertility is the most diagnosed cause of infertility today. In this article you'll discover what is PCOS and how you can address PCOS infertility without drugs.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome aka Polycystic Ovarian Disease manifests in multiple cysts covering the ovaries, filled with immature follicles (eggs) accompanied by hormonal abnormalities and irregularities in ovulation and menstruation. This is a metabolic condition associated with insulin and glucose intolerance.

What are the PCOS symptoms?

Common symptoms are failure to ovulate, acne, obesity, menstrual irregularities and hirsutism (hair growth on skin). Severe cases manifest with all of the symptoms while mild and moderate cases only have a few.

What causes PCOS Infertility?

Infertility is caused by failure to ovulate due to excess production of male hormones - androgens (testosterone) and insufficient oestrogen and progesterone production by the ovary. Due to an insufficient amount of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) androgens cannot be converted to estrogen, and follicles can not ripen and ovulate.

How to manage PCOS Infertility Naturally?

Studies have found that the most cases of infertility due to ovulatory conditions may be prevented with dietary and lifestyle changes. Therefore that's where you should start.
There are several key factors that play a role in PCOS Infertility. Depending on which one is most characteristic for you will determine the first line of treatment.

1. Balancing Insulin

Insulin resistance has been found to contribute to excess production of androgens by the ovaries. Insulin resistance goes hand in hand with obesity or being overweight especially around the middle (visceral fat = fat around the organs). However insulin resistance can also be seen among people who are not obese or overweight. If you are overweight and have PCOS infertility it is advisable that that you loose weight and correct insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance means that the cells are not reacting to insulin when it arrives with a new batch of glucose. This is mostly due to saturation of insulin at the receptor sites of the cells from a diet high in refined and simple sugars. This contributes too much glucose in the blood stream and insufficient amounts in the cells. This in turn causes fatigue and lethargy and increased risk of bacterial infections (due to too much glucose outside the cells) and diabetes.

2. Addressing Testosterone & Promoting Ovulation and Menstruation

Excess androgens (testosterone) stem from too much LH (lutenizing hormone) being secreted by the body over FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). This consequently results in immature eggs which never reach the ovulation stage and start creating small cysts on the ovaries. A type of estrogen can be converted to testosterone in fat which is a reason for making sure you loose weight if you are overweight.
Normalizing your hormones and getting your body to produce sufficient amount of hormones to ovulate and maintain pregnancy is the key and the end result of all the treatment approaches for PCOS infertility.

What should you do?

1. Limit coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, sugar and juices containing sugar, refined carbs (white bread, biscuits, chocolate, lollies etc...).

2. Have small protein rich meals every 3 hours to balance your blood sugar.

3. Workout frequently - cardio and weights (the more muscles you have the more fat you'll use up).

4. Add cinnamon to your cooking. It has been found to increase insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS. Porridge is a great way to get some cinnamon into your diet also apples baked in the oven sprinkled with some cinnamon and walnuts.

5. Minimize your consumption of dairy and animal products (even if they are organic) altogether. This is due to the high content of hormones, pesticides and herbicides which are known endocrine disruptors (they play havoc with your hormones and this can contribute to anovulation. Plant rich diets and diets rich in fibre have been shown to be very useful in conditions where hormonal balance is disturbed such as PCOS. Even though the animal was not given synthetic hormones it produced its own hormones which will still be reflected in the dairy or meat.

6. Excess androgen secretion has been shown to favorably react to consumption of licorice so include some fresh licorice from an organic supermarket.

7. Consume more: adzuki beans, basil, cayenne pepper, chestnut, chives, eggplant, garlic, ginger, kohlrabi, leek, nutmeg, pepper, brown rice, rosemary, peppermint and turmeric.

8. Reduce stress with yoga, mediation, breathing exercises, 8 hours of sleep, daily exercise, lavender, lemon balm and chamomile tea.

9. Consult with a naturopath or a herbalist as many herbal treatments have been shown to address PCOS successfully.

10. Get a premium quality multivitamin and fish oil (make sure it's been tested for mercury and preserved with vitamin E).

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