Holistic Treatment for PCOS in NYC

Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? 

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with PCOS, you may be familiar with interactions like these at your medical doctor’s visits:

Patient: My periods are irregular and painful, I have hair growth on my chin, persistent acne, and I am struggling with anxiety, depression, and maintaining my ideal weight. 

Medical Doctor: These are symptoms of PCOS, and unfortunately there is no cure. Your treatment will require medical drugs, which will include the birth control pill, and possibly additional drugs such as Metformin or Spironolactone. 

Patient: I’m experiencing side effects from my PCOS medications, such as more acne, weight fluctuation, bloating, low libido, mood changes, and increased anxiety. I don’t believe these medications are addressing the underlying causes of my PCOS. 

Medical Doctor: If these drugs aren’t working for you, we can try other stronger medications. However, none of them are guaranteed to work, and they all have potential side effects. We may need to continue to change your medications and dosages. 

Experiencing the symptoms of PCOS can be extremely difficult and severely change one’s quality of life. Unfortunately, these types of interactions with your doctor can leave you feeling discouraged, frustrated, and even hopeless. It is important to know that you have additional choices regarding your treatment plan. 

Understanding PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone-driven problem that occurs in females during their reproductive years. It is fueled by an imbalance of hormones – especially testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (AND), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 

It is important to know what exactly is driving these imbalances. Some key factors are diet, stress, inadequate sleep, xenobiotics (any chemical substance not normally present in your body), especially xenoestrogens (a type of synthetic chemical compound that imitates estrogen in the body, causing severe disruption of your hormones), thyroid imbalances, and insulin resistance. Some common symptoms of PCOS are irregular menstrual cycles, weight fluctuation, acne, abnormal hair growth such as on the chin and face, hair loss on the head, anxiety, depression, and even infertility (1). 

The standard medical treatment for PCOS involves the use of birth control to regulate menstruation, as well as other drugs such as Metformin to decrease insulin resistance, and Spironolactone to treat acne and excess hair growth. Unfortunately, the underlying causes of PCOS are not often addressed by many conventional practitioners. Their treatments are often designed to alleviate symptoms without addressing the root causes.

Common Signs and Symptoms of PCOS

• – Irregular menstrual cycles
• – Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
• – Heavy periods 
• – Acne
• – Weight gain
• – Insulin resistance
• – Abnormal hair growth on the chin and face
• – Hair loss on the head
• – Anxiety and depression
• – Infertility 
• – Hyperpigmentation

Major Underlying Causes of PCOS

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PCOS affects an estimated 8-13% of women of reproductive age. It is one of the most common hormonal disturbances affecting women (2). Some of the major underlying causes are:

• – Hormonal imbalances (especially insulin and androgens)
• – Stress
• – Insulin resistance
• – Environmental toxins (including xenobiotics and xenoestrogens)
• – Diet (especially excess carbohydrates)
• – Lifestyle factors 
• – Emotional trauma
• – Epigenetic factors 

A leading cause of excess androgens is a decrease in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which binds and transports androgens throughout the body, regulating their biological activity (3). Decreased SHBG levels ultimately means there are excess androgen hormones available for the body and tissues to use (hyperandrogenism), causing PCOS symptoms such as hair growth on the chin and loss on the head. This can be brought on by stress, insulin resistance, liver congestion, as well as thyroid issues such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Common Holistic Treatments for PCOS 

Similarly to many other health conditions, maintaining a proper diet full of necessary nutrients, managing stress, and getting enough sleep play a key role in resolving symptoms. In addition, testing hormone levels is important for PCOS, as it is vital to understand where exactly the imbalance is rooted- some recommended testing includes thyroid blood panels, as well as estrogen, cortisol, testosterone, progesterone, and androgens such as DHEA, AND, and DHT, which can be done through at-home saliva testing. 

Furthermore, a holistic approach for PCOS is based on the principle that the body has an innate ability to heal and can do so if given the proper support. The following are important components of a holistic program that need to be considered. Doing so addresses the underlying root causes, placing patients on the path to healing. 

• – Foods to help restore hormone balance
• – Foods that should be avoided (especially those that contribute to hormone imbalances and inflammation)
• – Lifestyle changes that facilitate healing
• – Detoxification practices to help rid the body of toxins and xenobiotics
• – Stress reduction practices to help balance the endocrine system 
• – Practices to promote sound and restful sleep
• – Specific tests to help identify underlying causes including hormonal imbalances
• – Nutritional supplements and/or homeopathic remedies to address the underlying causes

In terms of proper nutritional intake for PCOS, some studies have also suggested the following:

• – Getting enough Vitamin D- some sources include exposure to sunlight, and/ or taking a vitamin D3 supplement or cod liver oil (4).
• – Vitex supplementation, which comes from the Chaste tree, is an herbal product that has been suggested to help improve symptoms of PCOS and PMS. 
• – Drink Spearmint herbal tea- it has been shown to play a role in reducing androgen levels brought on by PCOS (5).
• – Avoid food with preservatives, as to avoid any potential endocrine disruptors which can worsen symptoms of PCOS

In addition to food and supplementation, getting enough sleep is vital, as PCOS can cause sleep disruptions. Getting 8 hours of quality sleep can help balance cortisol levels and help with hormone regulation. Managing stress can also play a role in regulating cortisol and hormones, so including some stress management practices such as meditation, daily walks, and doing activities you enjoy is extremely beneficial. 

Benefits of Holistic PCOS Treatment 

• – Regular menstrual cycles
• – Ideal weight
• – Healthy and strong hair 
• – Clear, radiant skin
• – Normal insulin levels
• – Balanced hormones
• – Improved quality of sleep
• – Reduced anxiety 
• – Improved mood
• – Lasting health results

How to Get Started with Your Holistic Program for PCOS

At my practice in Manhattan, New York City, I use the principles of homeopathy, holistic medicine, and functional medicine to focus on finding and addressing the underlying causes of your PCOS. All my personalized programs are clearly written and designed to be easy to follow. Plus, the day you start following your personal treatment program, you are truly starting your healing journey!

To schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions, please call us at (212) 475-2222 or email us at drsalzarulo@gmail.com.

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