Nutritional Therapy for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Classically defined, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder in which many benign cysts form on the ovaries. It causes your menstrual cycle to be irregular or you may have no periods at all. PCOS can make it hard for you to become pregnant and cause other problems as well. PCOS is most common in women less than 30 years old, ironically our prime reproductive years.

Common Symptoms

• Irregular menstrual periods, particularly long cycles, or no periods at all
• About 20 percent of women with polycystic ovaries have normal menstrual cycles
• Very light or very heavy bleeding during your period
• Trouble getting pregnant
• More hair on your face, chest, and lower abdomen
• Balding in some women
• Obesity
• Acne

Causes
The exact cause of PCOS is unclear. It is common for sisters or a mother and daughter to have PCOS, but a definite genetic link has not been found. PCOS is often characterized by high levels of LH (Luteinizing Hormone), which seems to cause the problem. While LH is necessary to mature the follicle, unbalanced amounts of this hormone also causes the follicle to stop growing in preparation for ovulation. Research shows that elevated levels of the hormone insulin may in fact be the root cause of PCOS because high insulin levels can increase LH levels, directly affecting the follicle. In addition, excess body weight is strongly connected.

The Pulling Down the Moon® Nutritional Solution for PCOS

At Pulling Down the Moon®, we specialize in treating women with PCOS and have great results. In fact, these are our favorite patients to treat as we get the best and fastest results with this group!

Our weight loss program is greatly different from traditional models such as the popular Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. For women trying to conceive, these are often inappropriate due to their calorically restrictive plans and do not incorporate the specific foods that help women with PCOS and/or do not eliminate the ones that can make the syndrome worse. We incorporate foods that medicinally in Chinese Medicine are traditionally known to decrease and shrink cysts. Some popular foods are also ones that can exacerbate cysts and make them grow – so we address these foods as well.

In cases where supplementation is appropriate, we incorporate the vitamins that studies have proven may help to heal the syndrome of PCOS. Because we work with many patients going through the medical fertility process, we only recommend those additional vitamins that are safe throughout any Assisted Reproductive Technique and throughout a pregnancy.

All our nutritional patients receive a variety of handouts, recipes, meal plans, a list of fertility foods, and other relevant information as part of our consultations. For our PCOS patients, I always tell them that they are the lucky ones. PCOS is highly manageable with nutritional therapy. Not all women are so lucky to have a syndrome that they have control over.

More Information

Fertility Nutrition
Heal Your Body and Prepare for Pregnancy with our ART Recovery/Prep Nutrition Program.