Natural PCOS Solutions Blog

May 14, Are There Natural Alternatives to Metformin for PCOS?

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:12:08 GMT

Metformin, also called Glucophage, is one of those medications commonly prescribed to women who are dealing with PCOS. Metformin is intended to help people who have a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition where you don't efficiently utilize insulin. There are a couple of things to keep in mind about this drug. First, it should be evident that you have insulin resistance. Not every women who has polycystic ovary syndrome is insulin resistant. The majority are, but some aren't. If you're in this minority and are taking metformin, it's probably not helping you. Second, metformin has some significant side effects. In fact, a lot of women simply cannot tolerate it. Moreover, long-term users run a clear risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency because metformin interferes with the dietary absorption of vitamin B12. Fortunately, there are some excellent natural alternatives to metformin that are equally effective.

May 8, The Correct Carbs Are a Crucial Part of your Diet Plan for Controlling PCOS

Tue, 08 May 2012 23:27:02 GMT

Refined carbohydrates could be responsible if you're experiencing mood swings, depression, food cravings, lack of a regular cycle, acne, hirsutism or weight gain. These bad carbs not only rob you of essential nutrition, they also cause your insulin levels to be too high. When insulin is too high for too long, insulin resistance is the result. Insulin resistance is believed to be the #1 driver of all PCOS symptoms. So if you're to gain the upper hand over polycystic ovary syndrome, an excellent next step would be to understand which carbs are good for you and which are bad for you. If you can change your carbs for the better, you will be amazed at how all of your symptoms start to melt away.

May 6, Metformin and Vitamin B12 Deficiency - What Are the Alternatives?

Sun, 06 May 2012 17:00:03 GMT

I'm sorry if this is not the right way to get a question answered, but I wonder if you just might have an answer to this question at your fingertips?!

May 5, What PCOS, Excess Weight and Diabetes Have in Common: Vitamin D Deficiency

Sat, 05 May 2012 21:52:52 GMT

Vitamin D deficiency is a 'hidden symptom' of women with PCOS, regardless of whether you're lean or overweight. Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that you must have.

May 5, Could Boron Help PCOS?

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:03:13 GMT

I saw a comment about Boron. Looks like this woman has PCOS and uses Boron. I think it just balances hormones and increases estradiol, which I think PCOS

May 5, The Link Between Polycystic Ovaries and Yo-Yo Dieting

Sat, 05 May 2012 04:04:03 GMT

The University of Newcastle did some research a while back on women who had polycystic ovary syndrome. The researcher found that in 33% of the women, both binge eating and polycystic ovaries were present. In other words, one of every three women were binge eaters, plus they had polycystic ovaries. The authors of the study suspected that the existence of polycystic ovaries and menstrual irregularities are characteristics of women who maintain normal body weight, yet fluctuate between starvation and binge eating. It appears that insulin resistance may be responsible. Fluctuations in carbohydrate calorie consumption, as in the case of yo-yo dieting, may increase insulin resistance. The insulin resistance stimulates the development of polycystic ovaries. There's no question that what you eat has a lot to do with the health issues you're having. It's recommended that you avoid crash dieting unless you're certain you know what you're doing, or are under the supervision of a qualified health professional.

May 3, Is Saw Palmetto Extract Useful for PCOS?

Thu, 03 May 2012 19:35:54 GMT

Saw palmetto extract has been used for many years to treat men's prostate problems. So what has this to do with you? The reason that saw palmetto provides relief for men is that it tends to block the production of a type of testosterone that causes a man's prostate to swell up. This hormone is called DHT. Women who have PCOS also have a problem with DHT. They tend to produce too much of it, which leads to symptoms such as acne, hirsutism (unwanted hair growth on face and body), and hair loss. Saw palmetto blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into DHT. That is not what you want to happen. The University of Birmingham in the UK recently published a medical study showing that both overweight and normal-weight women with PCOS had higher 5-alpha-reductase activity than women who did not have PCOS. Since you may have too much 5-alpha reductase, you may then be producing too much DHT, which in turn causes various symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, it may be helpful to you to try to block your 5-alpha reductase activity. Saw palmetto extract is a natural way to help you make this happen. You could also use medications, but they have side effects. Here's what one person told us: "Thank you so much for selling the Saw Palmetto-Pygeum-Nettle Root extract. I've been on 4 medications in the past for PCOS that never had an effect except for making me feel bad. I've been losing my hair for the past few years, despite not even being 30 yet, and it was very noticeable at my hair part. After using the extract for 2 months, my once sparse hair part has visibly improved! There's also a lot less hair falling out on my hairbrush than there used to be!" You can learn more about saw palmetto extract here.

May 2, These Oils Reduced My Carb Cravings

Wed, 02 May 2012 23:29:48 GMT

Thank you for compiling the PCOS newsletter all these years I really appreciate it. For myself I have found the most significant help from adding hemp

May 2, PCOS Update: Are Cosmetics Messing Up Your Hormones?

Wed, 02 May 2012 02:39:36 GMT

PCOS News: Do cosmetics contain harmful hormone mimics? Fiber for adolescents - boring but essential. Inflammation, diet and female hair loss.

Apr 20, Environmental Chemical Tied to Aggression in Young Girls

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:02:18 GMT

Did you know that chemicals in the environment are a threat to your health -- and to your future children? One of those chemicals is bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a known hormone disrupter. More than 90% of the US population has detectable levels of BPA. BPA has been shown to contribute to PCOS, insulin resistance, miscarriage, breast cancer, polycystic ovaries, fibroids, or obesity. Research from the UK and Greece is showing that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have up to 1.5 times as much BPA in their bodies as other women do. High BPA levels have been associated with high androgen (male hormone) levels. Moreover, this chemical may start causing problems at an early age. The University of North Carolina published a report showing that it does something really strange to girls. They studied pregnant women (99% of whom had BPA in their bodies) and then followed up with their children. The children's behavior was reported by the parents when the children were 2 years old. Girls whose mothers had encountered the most BPA early in pregnancy tended to become somewhat more aggressive than normal, and boys became more anxious and withdrawn. If you're thinking of having a baby at any time in the future, it's recommended that you do everything you can to minimize your exposure to all environmental chemicals, including BPA.

Apr 19, PCOS-related Hair Loss May Be Reduced with Carnitine

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:29:46 GMT

Carnitine is a supplement that appears to reduce hair loss, help weight loss, burn fat, improve liver health and thus relieve PCOS symptoms.

Apr 17, Are You Pouring Gas on the Fires of PCOS?

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:25:49 GMT

PCOS News: Hair loss e-book to be released soon. Are you pouring gas on the fires of polycystic ovary syndrome?

Apr 2, PCOS Girl Has Elevated Heart Rate

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:30:49 GMT

Hi Gemma, I'm also a PCOS girl who loves to exercise. I work out about 5 times a week with about 30 minutes of cardio each session (bike, elliptical

Apr 1, PCOS Update: Is This Food Component a Cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:23:09 GMT

PCOS News: Is too much fat a cause of polycystic ovary syndrome? Jenn's success story and pregnancy. Do you feel like a woman, a man or neither? New research gives a startling answer.

Mar 19, Hirsutism, PCOS and 5-Alphas Reductase: Tools for Controlling Excessive Hair Growth

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:01:06 GMT

A more effective diet for PCOS. 5-alpha reductase, hirsutism and PCOS - Tools for reducing unwanted hair growth.

Mar 15, Natural Personal Care Products that Don't Make PCOS and Hirsutism Worse

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:47:30 GMT

Hi. I have been receiving your newsletter and have found it very informative. There is something however that I would like assistance with that has not

Mar 8, Working Throught PCOS Regrets

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:34:15 GMT

Hi, I am trying to work through a lot of regret and guilt over not being able to have our second child earlier because of my PCOS. You are such an expert

Mar 6, Fat Weight Loss: Is this the Lost Key to Solving the PCOS Puzzle?

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:34:01 GMT

If you have PCOS and are overweight, a supervised fat weight loss program is an effective way to reduce weight and PCOS symptoms.

Mar 4, PCOS News: Do Dioxins Create 'Progesterone Resistance'? Cancer Drug Improves Fertility

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 01:30:24 GMT

PCOS News: Breast cancer drug improves fertility. Do dioxins create progesterone resistance and endometriosis? How to remove dioxins from your diet.

Mar 1, What Are Good Supplements for Acne, Hirsutism and Hair Loss?

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:03:21 GMT

I'm struggling with acne, hirsutism, and thin hair. I was on spironolactone for a year and it cleared my skin beautifully, decreased the hair on my body

Mar 1, Have PCOS, My Life Is Changing

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:00:09 GMT

I am an Active Duty Soldier and being diagnosed with PCOS in April 2011 has really changed my chances of continuing in the Army as a career. I have

Feb 26, Medicine from the Kitchen Shelf

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 05:12:09 GMT

I can't say I have succeeded but this has made a difference. I exercise religiously, definitely anything that u enjoy and can keep it regular -- suryanamaskar

Feb 23, Wild Yam Root Relieved PCOS Symptoms

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:33:04 GMT

While at the doctor's office, I asked to talk with a female doctor. My doctor is a teaching doctor. There are always new medical faces in the office, eager

Feb 19, PCOS Research Highlights Report Reveals New Ways of Treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:22:31 GMT

News: 'PCOS Research Highlights' in-depth report reveals new tips and strategies for dealing with PCOS. Is l-carnitine something you need? How important is exercise - really?

Feb 18, CoQ10 and Fertility

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:52:37 GMT

If you've had a problem with conceiving or had a miscarriage, your doctor may have told you that the quality of your eggs is not so good and therefore you're having these problems. We've spoken in the past about the important of the B-vitamin inositol for egg quality. But other nutrients can also help. The Polytechnic University of Marche published an interesting article recently. They analyzed 20 women with fertility problems who were undergoing fertility treatment. The women with the higher levels of CoQ10 had healthier, more mature eggs. The women with lower levels of CoQ10 were more likely to have dysmorphic eggs. "Dysmorphic" is a medical term referring to a difference of body structure that is suggestive of a congenital disorder, genetic syndrome, or birth defect. The women with higher CoQ10 also had embryos of higher quality and thus had a higher probability of a successful pregnancy. By the way, if you've been taking a statin drug to lower cholesterol, you should be aware that statins also lower your CoQ10 levels. So whether trying to become pregnant or on statin drugs, supplemental CoQ10 is a good idea.

Feb 15, Never give up hope!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:31:21 GMT

Hi Everybody! Hope you all doing well and all in control. I just thought I'd share my story with you guys as it is always a great pleasure to read others

Feb 13, PCOS Research Highlights - Special Report Reveals New Treatment Options

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:36:44 GMT

PCOS research report has 75 articles that give you some treatment options that you probably haven't thought of. These treatments were shown to be effective in medical studies.

Feb 9, Keep Trying!

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:15:59 GMT

I found out I had PCOS when I was 20. I went 6 months without having a period before going to the doctor. My doctor did some blood work and an ultrasound

Feb 8, PCOS News: Could Soy Be Causing You Problems?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:15:34 GMT

PCOS News: Could soy be causing you problems? Is soy formula a problem for your baby? Dr. Morita adds meaning to my life.

Feb 3, PCOS-Acne-Cancer-Dairy Link?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:51:07 GMT

Dartmouth Medical School has reported a possible causal link between consumption of dairy products and acne and breast cancer risk. A big issue in PCOS is the over-abundant production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is a biologically active form of testosterone that is more powerful than testosterone itself. Milk contains a substance called 5alpha-pregnanedione (5alpha-P). 5-alpha-P is a direct precursor to DHT. 5-alpha-P also appears to make your cells more sensitive to estrogen, which increases the risk of any estrogen sensitive-disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, breast cancer, reproductive cancers, fibroids and changes in any organ or cell that has estrogen receptors. DHT is known to be a causal factor in acne, hirsutism (unwanted hair growth), and hair loss. In addition, dairy products may be problematic because they contain a growth stimulant called 'insulin-like growth factor-1" (IGF-1), or consumption of dairy causes the body to produce more IGF-1. IGF-1 has been identified as a contributor to PCOS. Cow's milk is designed to make baby cows grow fast. This is not what you want to be consuming, especially as an adult. Think about it. Humans are the only species on the planet that consume the milk of another species after we reach adulthood. Does that make sense to you? Milk and products made from milk are loaded with hormones and other compounds that are not helpful if you want to reduce your symptoms. The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility e-book has a detailed chapter about dairy products. If you have this e-book, take a look at that chapter.

Jan 26, I Want a Baby - Losing Weight May Help?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:43:31 GMT

After reading the above stories I am inspired to lose the weight. I am from the Caribbean. At the age of eighteen I too was diagnosed with hormonal imbalance.

Jan 26, Recommendation for PCOS Doctor?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:26:54 GMT

Hello, I was a senior in high school and still had no idea what a period felt like. My family doctor every year said that at my age it was normal.

Jan 25, Is PCOS Bad for Your Brain?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:35:10 GMT

PCOS News: Inositol does it yet again! Is PCOS bad for your brain? 2 easy, quick tricks to curb your appetite and lose weight.

Jan 25, Lymphatic Massage Helped My PCOS

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:24:10 GMT

Thank you for this website. This resource has helped me find ways to help myself and start managing my PCOS. I was getting very discouraged and beating

Jan 20, Special Fat Effective in Treating Depression

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:50:55 GMT

If you have PCOS, depression may be something that you're concerned about. Here's something that may help. EPA is a type of fat found primarily in marine creatures such as fish. Could it help to relieve depression? Researchers at the New York State Psychiatric Institute examined all the medical studies about EPA and depression between 1960 and 2010. Based on their review of these studies, they concluded that EPA is effective in relieving depression. EPA is commonly available in fish oil capsules, along with DHA, which is another type of beneficial fat. Interestingly, however, the researchers discovered that EPA/DHA capsules in the studies that contained less than 60% EPA were ineffective. Those with more than 60% EPA were effective. So the capsules that are mostly EPA appear to be the most effective. The daily dose of EPA in the studies ranged from 200 to 2,200 mg. Here is an example of a high-quality, pure EPA/DHA concentrate that contains 60% EPA, the ratio needed for effectiveness according to this research. EPA/DHA is also useful for other problems associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, such as weight, insulin resistance, and especially chronic inflammation.

Jan 18, Skinny with PCOS

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:09:59 GMT

My daughter has always been skinny, and yet she does suffers with PCOS, since the age of 18. Everywhere I look, the problem refers to overweight women.

Jan 17, Zinc for Acne, Hirsutism, Hair Loss?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:35:11 GMT

If you suffer from PCOS, your skin and hair follicles may have too much DHT. The male hormone testosterone is converted by an enzyme into a more powerful dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It's the DHT that plays a strong role in acne, unwanted hair growth and hair loss. So if you can reduce the production of DHT, you can reduce these problems. One way to reduce DHT production is to lower the activity of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme that makes DHT possible. Saw palmetto is the most well-known nutritional supplement for suppressing 5-alpha reductase. We recently came across an old but interesting study from the Necker-Enfants-Malades Hospital in Paris. They studied skin cells that were exposed to testosterone. They found that zinc acted as a "potent inhibitor" of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. So, besides saw palmetto, it appears that zinc is a nutrient that can help you with controlling skin problems caused by too much DHT: acne, hair loss, and excessive hair growth in unwanted places. However, we don't recommend taking large quantities of zinc because doing so may induce a copper deficiency. A good multi-vitamin/mineral should provide you with the zinc you need, assuming you are not consuming a junk food diet that is deficient in zinc. This is an example of a high-quality multi-vitamin/mineral containing highly absorbable zinc.

Jan 15, My PCOS Pregnancy Success Story

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:43:16 GMT

I am very happy to share my success story with you. Am 30years old and I have been suffering from PCOS for 16 years i.e., since my 1st period. When

Jan 13, Miracle Baby - What I Did

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:51:16 GMT

Hi, I was diagnosed with PCOS and Insulin resistance in 2005. I gained about 17kg in 6 months. I became depressed because of the snide remarks of the

Jan 9, PCOS: A Hidden Major Cause of Is Revealed

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:53:23 GMT

PCOS News: A hidden major cause of PCOS revealed. Is there a link between vitamin B12, thyroid disorders and infertility? How to celebrate life!

Jan 5, I Have the Answer to PCOS

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:12:09 GMT

I'm a lifer! I'm 43 years old and have known I have PCOS since before my 16th birthday. Irregular periods, weight gain, excess hair on my face and

Jan 5, The #1 Killer of Women

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:51:26 GMT

Breast cancer is not the #1 killer of women. Heart disease is. This is important to understand because women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than other women do. Secondly, medical research has revealed that polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with a greater tendency for blot clotting. This can happen regardless of whether you are lean or overweight. Unnecessary blot clots can present a health risk. They can get stuck in your blood vessels and interfere with blood circulation. And there's more to the story, if you're taking birth control pills to treat your symptoms. Most birth control pills increase a woman's tendency to form blood clots. In other words, you already have an increased risk of clotting. You add to that risk when you take birth control pills. So don't think that taking birth control pills is going to magically solve all your problems, without any risk at all. It's always wise to fully and carefully think about any medication that is prescribed to you. Be sure to ask your doctor plenty of questions. So, is there anything you can personally do to reduce your blood clotting risk, whether or not you're taking the Pill? This article has some easy tips that will help you reduce your risk of PCOS-related blood clotting.

Jan 3, Finding New Hope!

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:44:41 GMT

Hello, I am 26 years old and I have PCOS. I was diagnosed with PCOS in July '11 (after) receiving news that I had had my (3rd) miscarriage in 2.5 years!

Dec 31, The World's Simplest Weight Loss Method

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:58:58 GMT

Are you tired of counting calories? Failed with a low-calorie or low-carb diet? Or diet pills? Or maybe something really extreme like the HCG diet? Here's an inside weight loss tip, based on emerging medical research. It's water in your food. Not with your food. IN your food. Suppose you decide to have for dinner roasted chicken, brown rice and vegetables, accompanied by as much water as you care to drink. Or, suppose you decide to make chicken soup, consisting of chicken, brown rice, vegetables and water. You would think that since the components of each meal are identical, their effect on weight loss would also be identical. Research has proven this is not the case. The woman who has the chicken soup will lose more weight than the one who has the chicken dinner. The reasons are not entirely clear, but it appears that you may feel more satiated (full) when the water is in your food, and not as a separate beverage. Women who have more water in their food lose weight and their waits get smaller. Besides soups, any food with a high water content is beneficial. For example, most fresh vegetables and fresh fruits have a high water content. If you focus on increasing the water content of the foods you consume, you may be pleasantly surprised to notice the pounds start to melt away.

Dec 26, The Five Essentials for Solving PCOS

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:42:47 GMT

PCOS News: The five essentials for solving the PCOS puzzle. What happens to your brain when you meditate? Probiotics helpful for depression, anxiety and acne.

Dec 18, Low Vitamin C Intake May Increase the Risk of Belly Fat

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:12:27 GMT

Too much belly fat (visceral fat around the abdomen) is a frustrating problem for many women who have PCOS. Maybe a multi-vitamin could help. In a study from the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran, involving 926 women between the ages of 40 and 60 years, low intake of vitamin C and low intake of calcium were found to be associated with an increased risk of abdominal obesity. As you might expect, the researchers also found that lack of physical activity, depression, and smoking all contributed to increased belly fat. The finding about vitamin C and calcium was a bit of a surprise. There was a 131% increase in the probability of central fat accumulation in women with low intakes of vitamin C, and a 30% increase among women with low intakes of calcium. If you have an issue with belly fat, supplemental vitamin C and calcium may aid in your efforts to lose it, especially vitamin C. You can get both of these nutrients in a good multi-vitamin

Dec 16, Hard work and Perseverance to Achieve what Others Conceive as "Normal"

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:50:02 GMT

To any female out there who has suffered from PCOS, just know that you are not alone and it is more common than you think. I know it is a very, very difficult

Dec 14, PCOS Newsletter Helped Me Become Pregnant

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:31:00 GMT

Hi. I have been reading your PCOS newsletter for good 3 years now. I have success story to share. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 18. But I

Dec 14, A type of helpful birth control for PCOS

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:47:53 GMT

Hi everyone, My name is Maria, and I'm about to turn 25 this month. I got my first period when I was 12, and had to wait around 6 months before the second

Dec 13, How to Reduce PCOS Symptoms by 5%-69%

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:57:12 GMT

PCOS symptoms can be reduced by up to 69% by doing two simple things. How to know if you're at risk for diabetes. New PCOS symptom: anxiety.