PCOS Review Newsletter #23
Natural Health Ideas for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
A free monthly newsletter for women with ovarian cysts or PCOS.
Issue #023 June 27, 2005
Nancy Dunne, N.D., Naturopathic Physician
Bill Slater, Research Associate
1) Healthy PCOS Diet E-Book Released
2) Acupuncture Improves Ovulation in PCOS Women
3) Gynecologists vs. Endocrinologists
4) Post-Menopausal Women have PCOS
1) Healthy PCOS Diet E-Book Released
Dr. Nancy Dunne has co-authored a comprehensive 473-page e-book, The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility. It is the most thorough and authoritative book on the subject. A healthy diet has been clearly identified as one of the crucial factors in dealing with PCOS and its symptoms.
More information about the e-book here:
www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/pcos-book-res.html
2) Acupuncture Improves Ovulation in PCOS Women
A study at Goteborg University in Sweden showed that acupuncture may help some PCOS women to ovulate. In this study, electro-acupuncture was used instead of traditional acupuncture. Electro-acupuncture, the application of a pulsating electrical current to acupuncture needles as a means of stimulating the acupuncture points, was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation of acupuncture needles.
Twenty-four women with PCOS and infrequent or absent periods were included in this study. After 10-14 treatments for 2-3 months, nine women (38%) experienced regular ovulation. However, the electro-acupuncture was not effective in the more severe cases (obese, highest waist-to-hip ratio, and highest testosterone and insulin individuals).
For women with mild PCOS, acupuncture appears to help induce ovulation.
Source: Stener-Victorin E et al, Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2000 Mar;79(3):180-8
3) Gynecologists vs. Endocrinologists
Do you really have PCOS? The answer may depend to some extent on which doctor you talk to.
A study conducted in Australia showed that gynecologists and endocrinologists who treat polycystic ovary syndrome have very different ways to diagnose and treat it.
Questionnaire results showed that the two specialty groups differed in their choice of diagnostic criteria and investigations. Endocrinologists regarded androgenization (81%) and menstrual irregularity (70%) as essential diagnostic criteria, whereas gynecologists required polycystic ovaries (61%), androgenization (59%), menstrual irregularity (47%) and an elevated LH/FSH ratio (47%).
In investigation, gynecologists were more likely to request ovarian ultrasound (91% vs. 44%) and endocrinologists more likely to measure adrenal androgens (80% vs. 58%) and lipids (67% vs. 34%). Gynecologists were less likely to assess glucose homeostasis but more likely to use a glucose tolerance test to do so.
Diet and exercise were chosen by most doctors as first-line treatment for all PCOS signs and symptoms. However, endocrinologists were generally more likely to use insulin sensitizers, particularly metformin. Specifically for infertility, endocrinologists favored metformin treatment whereas gynecologists recommended clomiphene.
There is a lack of consensus between endocrinologists and gynecologists in the definition, diagnosis and treatment of PCOS. As a consequence, you may receive a different diagnosis or treatment, depending on the type of specialist you consult.
It's no wonder that so many women aren't sure they have PCOS, or receive different treatments from different doctors.
Source: Cussons AJ et al, Polycystic ovarian syndrome: marked differences between endocrinologists and gynaecologists in diagnosis and management. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2005 Mar;62(3):289-95
4) Post-Menopausal Women have PCOS
We tend to view PCOS as a disorder of adolescent or rather young adult women. However, it spans all ages, as shown in a study from Kaplan Medical Center in Israel.
In this study, 104 post-menopausal women were evaluated by physical examination, detailed questionnaire and laboratory measurements of glucose, blood fats and sex-hormone levels.
Seven (6.7%) of the women were diagnosed with PCOS. As compared to women without PCOS, central obesity was more common in the PCOS group, 4 of 7 had type 2 diabetes compared to 8 of 97 in the non-PCOS group, and 6 of 7 versus 31 of 97 had elevated blood fats (triglycerides, cholesterol) characteristic of the metabolic syndrome.
PCOS appears to be fairly common in post-menopausal women, and is a marker for a metabolic profile associated with a high risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Source: Margolin E et al, Polycystic ovary syndrome in post-menopausal women--marker of the metabolic syndrome. Maturitas. 2005 Apr 11;50(4):331-6
