PCOS Review Newsletter #24
Natural Health Ideas for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
A free monthly newsletter for women with ovarian cysts or PCOS.
Issue #024 July 27, 2005
Nancy Dunne, N.D., Naturopathic Physician
Bill Slater, Research Associate
1) Even Low-Dose Contraceptives Appear Risky
2) Newly Discovered Hunger Hormone in PCOS Women
1) Even Low-Dose Contraceptives Appear Risky
A U.S.-Canadian study has found that even low-dose oral contraceptives appear to increase women's risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Dr. John Nestler and Dr. Paulina Essah of Virginia Commonwealth University and Dr. Jean-Patrice Baillargeon of the Universite de Sherbrooke analyzed the results of several studies published between 1980 and 2002. They determined that women using low-dose contraceptives have approximately twice the risk of stroke or heart disease.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome or metabolic syndrome already have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Dr. Nestler said, and are at an even greater risk if they are treated with low-dose contraceptives. He suggested that doctors consider less risky alternatives.
Long-term use of oral contraceptives may also increase risk, Nestler said. But he said that for most women the risk is still very low.
This study reinforces why we emphasize the importance of natural approaches for treating PCOS such as healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, selected nutritional supplements and herbs. Hormone contraception is effective to prevent pregnancy but should be chosen with a full understanding of the health risks involved. Always consider contraceptive alternatives, including barrier methods like diaphragms, cervical caps, the intrauterine device and condoms, which have the added benefit of disease protection.
Source: Baillargeon, JP et al, Association between the current use of low-dose oral contraceptives and cardiovascular arterial disease: a meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Jul;90(7):3863-70
2) Newly Discovered Hunger Hormone in PCOS Women
As a woman who has polycystic ovary syndrome, you may have discovered that you have a hard time staying away from food, especially if you are overweight. In spite of tremendous willpower, you are driven to eat.
Or, even if your willpower prevails and you don't overeat, you are usually hungry and cannot lose fat weight.
The reason that you are having these problems is that the hormones that govern your appetite and fat regulation are just not working properly.
There are dozens of hormones and other signaling molecules that either stimulate or inhibit food intake. They form an exceedingly complex web of interrelationships.
You may have heard that if you could just get control of your insulin, you will not feel as hungry and your weight will melt away. While this is partially true, it's an oversimplification. In fact, you may have numerous hormones or signaling molecules that are out of balance -- either overactive or underactive.
There is no single factor that governs your weight, your fat metabolism or your hunger. It is a bewildering combination of factors, all interacting or influencing one another. An imbalance or disturbance of one signaling molecule will affect others, which in turn will affect still others.
No one, including research scientists and doctors, fully understands the functions and relationships of all these various signaling molecules, particularly as they exist in each unique woman. And, there are probably additional signaling molecules that haven't yet been discovered.
One recently discovered hormone is called "ghrelin". It helps to regulate how much food you eat and how much weight you gain.
You probably have never heard of ghrelin. To learn more about it, see an excerpt from the "What Makes You Hungry" chapter of our e-book.
Source: Nancy Dunne and Bill Slater, The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility, 2005
3) "My Journey with PCOS"
This is the story of Karen L., who has used a combination of vigorous exercise and diet to control her PCOS symptoms.
"Dramatic changes have taken place in my life over the past couple of years. My greatest wish in sharing this story is that someone reading it may experience some of the happiness and sense of greater control I now have as a result of being better able to manage PCOS.
As a teenage girl I often expressed concerns to doctors about irregular cycles, weight problems and acne. By the time I was finished high school, I had seen GPs, dermatologists and dieticians about all of my issues! They prescribed a whole range of antibiotics, skin creams and diets. Some of them told me it was stress. Oh, and that I should exercise and diet. (Heard that before?)
My weight has always been very 'up and down', but more 'up' than 'down' over most of the last two decades! I have never been a lazy or inactive person, and have always enjoyed healthy eating. I've never liked eating greasy foods, rarely drink alcohol, have never smoked, have always tried to eat a low fat diet and have been the type to read nutrition panels for many years. However, I went from being size 12 in high school, to 14, 16, 18, 20, 22!..."
Read the rest of Karen's story and find out how she regained control
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