Hormones are natural chemicals produced by glands in the body and communicate with other parts of the body. Hormones have great power and impact; they determine your menstrual cycle, mood, weight loss etc. For something with such absolute power over our mental and physical health, it's amazing how little most women know about their hormones. In order to take back control of your goals and emotions, you need to learn to recognize which hormones are out of balance, based on which of the body's functions aren't operating to their full potential. You may notice things like irregular cycles, body aches and pains, mood swings, skin problems, tiredness, lack of concentration, bloating, sleeplessness, breast tenderness, and weight gain.
The importance of balanced hormones
To put it simply, balanced hormones keep you balanced; balance in body, mind and spirit. If your hormone levels are balanced, you will feel much healthier, stronger and happier, younger, more energized and emotionally at peace. Healthy eating and regular exercise will have a much greater impact on you if your hormones are balanced. The key to optimal health is balancing your hormones. When your hormones are balanced and functioning properly, your body systems will be more efficient. Hormones are the chemical messengers of your body as they communicate through various signals. The symptoms of hormonal imbalance can include bloating, fatigue, irritability, hair loss, palpitations, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, blood sugar problems, and infertility.
The most common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is commonly associated with increased levels of two hormones in the body, insulin and androgens.
According to reports of the PCOS Awareness Association, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or also known as PCOS, is a health condition that affects about 10 million women in the world. One in five women of childbearing age suffers from this health problem. The report also reveals that the risk of OCOS may be higher in case of obesity or in a case if the mother or sister historically had PCOS.
The ovaries are responsible for making eggs that are released, but with PCOS, the ovaries fail to carry out their function of developing or releasing an egg during the cycle.
However, studies still don’t suggest the exact reason for PCOS but genetic reasons, insulin resistance, and high levels of androgen may lead to PCOS in women.
Factors causing PCOS
High levels of androgen which are responsible for developing male traits. Higher levels can result in preventing the ovulation to take place during the menstrual cycle.
Insulin resistance refers to inability of body cells to normally respond to insulin. This prompts the body to demand for more insulin, and extra insulin causes the ovaries to produce male hormones.
Symptoms of PCOS
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Excess facial hair growth
- Acne
- Weight gain or difficulty in losing weight
- Darkening of skin along creases in the neck, groin and underneath breasts
- Male pattern baldness
A report of National Health Portal, 2020 shows that 70% of women with PCOS have not been diagnosed yet and 80% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese.
Ways to manage PCOS
Although there is still no cure for PCOS today, there are many ways for you to reduce or eliminate PCOS symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe different medicines to treat symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, excess hair, and elevated blood sugar. It has been suggested that women who lose as much as 5% of their excess weight will ovulate more regularly and experience fewer symptoms of PCOS. The ideal way to do this is through nutrition and movement. Losing excess weight and keeping it off may seem challenging, but you should continue your efforts. Your efforts help reduce the risk of developing serious health complications due to PCOS. PCOS is closely linked to diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, as the disorder is connected to high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and high cholesterol.
PCOS symptoms are manageable with natural vitamins, minerals and herbs.
- Inositol and its effects on blood sugar
Inositol, also known as Vitamin B8, has proven beneficial in treating PCOS and hormonal imbalance. Inositol has been known to help normalise ovarian functions to improve egg health. Taking this supplement can fight depression, anxiety, and insulin resistance symptoms.
- Ashwagandha and cortisol levels
Ashwagandha is a root that has shown to provide positive health benefits to include health benefits to include reducing inflammation, improving brain function, reducing stress, and helping prevent stress induced ulcers. Women can benefit from it most of all, as it can balance cortisol levels in the adrenal glands. Another common symptom of PCOS is weight gain, caused by high cortisol levels.
- Vitex and PMS symptoms
Vitex comes from the chaste tree (other names: Nochi, Sinduvaram, Sambhaloo) and has been shown to improve PMS symptoms, such as stubborn acne and painful ovarian cysts as well as improving fertility and menopausal symptoms. By acting as an antioxidant, Vitex reverses hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS, protecting tissues from damage and preventing inflammatory responses. Inflammation along with hormone imbalance can indicate a more serious issue, such as insulin resistance, diabetes, heart conditions, and infertility. There are positive effects of reducing inflammation on PCOS symptoms.
Living with PCOS needs attention and continuous efforts to stabilize their symptoms in order to lead a healthy reproductive life. However, it does not define who you are as a woman. Utilising the right supplements, coupled with a healthy, balanced diet, mind-body exercise such as yoga, and management of stress can improve your way of living with PCOS.
