PCOS: Treatment of Insulin Resistance

This page includes the most common treatment options for women who have polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance.

Clinicians now think that insulin resistance is a primary cause or trigger of PCOS.

Drug Treatment

Natural Ways to Reduce IR

Supplements

Herbs

Pharmaceutical Treatment

Metformin (Glucophage) is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Metformin acts by causing the liver to decrease its production of glucose, so that there is no longer excessive glucose to trigger unneeded insulin secretion.

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Natural Ways to Become Less Insulin Resistant

Increase exercise. Exercise is proven to reduce insulin problems.

Improve your diet.

• Switch from refined carbohydrates to a complex carbohydrate, low glycemic diet
• High ratio of soluble fiber to insoluble fiber.
• Improve quality of fat
  • Avoid saturated fat
  • Avoid trans fats
  • Increase monosaturated oils
  • Increase omega 3 oils (fish, flax).
• Smaller, more frequent meals.
• Reduce alcohol intake.
• Have mixed meals of carbohydrate, protein and fat.

All of the above topics are reviewed in great detail in The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility.

An insulin resistance diet is the same thing as a PCOS diet.

Correction of insulin imbalances is crucial for correcting polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms and improving fertility.

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Nutritional Supplements

A number of nutritional supplements may improve Syndrome X:

• Biotin
• Calcium
• Chromium
• Coenzyme Q10
• Glucomannan (soluble fiber)
• Lipoic acid
• Magnesium
• NAC (N-acetyl cysteine)
• Quercetin
• Selenium
• Taurine
• Vanadyl sulfate
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Zinc

Many of these nutrients can be found in a high quality multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.

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Herbs for Syndrome X

Some herbs may help with insulin problems:

• Bitter melon (momardica charantia)
• Goats rue (galega officinalis)
• Gymnema

Consult with a naturopathic physician about a supplement or herbal program for dealing with Syndrome X.

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Main Insulin Resistance Page