PCOS Natural Treatments: Best Herbs, Supplements, & More [2024]
February 15, 2024
Essential Takeaways
- Millions of women are living with PCOS, which can increase health risks and cause infertility.
- One of the impacts of PCOS is an increase of the male hormone androgen.
- There are natural treatments available to ease the symptoms of PCOS, including customized herbal formulas.
It’s estimated that 5 to 6 million U.S. women are living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that interferes with hormones and can cause infertility. Many people with this condition don’t know they have it, but it’s the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age.
In addition to impacting fertility, PCOS can negatively affect hormonal balance and increase the risk of conditions like type two diabetes. There are multiple ways to heal and manage PCOS, and one of the most common ways is via birth control. However, if you’re looking for a more holistic or natural treatment for PCOS, you’re in luck! Qi Health is here to help you learn about the most common natural treatments for PCOS.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a condition in which small sacs of fluid, also called cysts, develop on the edge of the ovary. Inside the cysts, there are follicles, which are immature eggs. PCOS is usually accompanied by excess androgens, usually testosterone, which can result in concerns regarding the hair and skin.
While it is possible to get pregnant and carry out healthy pregnancies with the proper treatment, PCOS is correlated with infertility because it interferes with the body’s ovulation process. This means that you may not release an egg every month, making it harder to conceive.
Since immature eggs are not being released normally and since hormonal balance is impacted, the process can require additional support and treatment.
PCOS Symptoms
Because PCOS causes an increase in androgen, many hormonal symptoms can result from the condition. The presence of cysts can also cause large ovaries and weight gain in the belly.
The following symptoms are common in those living with PCOS:
- Acne
- Oily skin
- Excess body hair, especially on the stomach, back, and chest
- Missed periods
- Obesity
- Light or irregular periods
- Skin tags
- Patches of skin that are dark or thick
- Weight gain in the abdomen, or lage ovaries
- Hair thinning
- Difficulty conceiving
PCOS Diagnosis
Many individuals live with PCOS for years without knowing they have it. There are many cases of mild PCOS in which patients may not exhibit any of the above symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor.
Your doctor will run tests and order lab work that will determine whether or not PCOS is the cause of these symptoms.
In order to be diagnosed with PCOS, an individual must exhibit two of the following three symptoms:
- Infrequent or irregular periods
- High levels of testosterone, evidenced by blood tests or by physical symptoms like excess body hair
- Polycystic ovaries, evidenced by scans or an ultrasound
PCOS Causes
There is no definitive list of causes of PCOS, but doctors have found correlations between PCOS and the following conditions:
- A family history of PCOS
- Type two diabetes
- Resistance to insulin
- Hormone imbalance
Can PCOS be treated naturally?
The appropriate treatment plan for PCOS will depend on your specific symptoms and goals. For example, PCOS treatment will look very different for someone who hopes to get pregnant soon compared to someone who does not want to conceive children.
In many cases, having PCOS can put individuals at risk for other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. That’s why it’s important to speak with your doctor about whether you need to be on medications like Metmorfin, depending on your other health conditions.
In many cases, especially for those with milder symptoms and for individuals who are not trying to get pregnant immediately, PCOS natural treatments can help reduce symptoms, improve menstrual health and fertility, balance hormones, and prevent the additional health concerns that often accompany the condition.
PCOS Natural Treatments
The following natural treatments can help ease the symptoms of PCOS and prevent the associated complications that often accompany this condition.
- Herbs for PCOS
Every herbal formulation from Qi Health is custom made to your specific needs.
What it is: Customized herbal medicine for women’s health can play an important role in treating PCOS. The specific blend of herbs best suited to treat each case of PCOS will depend on the symptoms and other health concerns involved.
Herbs like palmetto, licorice root, and berberine have been studied for their possible beneficial effects, such as promoting hormone balance and insulin sensitivity.
How herbs can help PCOS: The correct blend of herbs for your specific concerns can offer the following important benefits:
- Hormone balance
- More regular periods
- Reduced menstrual cramps
- Positive impact on fertility outcomes
With Qi Health, those living with PCOS can talk directly with a certified Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor to receive a high-quality, lab-tested blend of personalized herbs. By taking a customized approach and offering only the best herbal medicine, Qi Health brings natural healing within reach.
Qi Health can create the perfect treatment plans by having you fill out a survey or do a free tongue diagnosis to understand your health history, symptoms, and more! After you’ve received your personal treatment, one of Qi Health’s certified doctors will continue to check in with you monthly to make changes to your dosage and blend when needed.
Manage Your PCOS with Qi Health
- Dietary Changes
What it is: PCOS can increase inflammation throughout the body, so eating an anti-inflammatory diet is a go-to method for counteracting these symptoms. Optimizing your nutrition choices to prioritize non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and lean protein can combat inflammation, protect your heart, and prevent the weight gain that often occurs as a complication of PCOS.
How it can help PCOS:
- Supports a healthy weight
- Reduces inflammation
- Protects from heart disease
- Acupuncture
What it is: Studies have shown that acupuncture can help address many of the symptoms and complications associated with PCOS. Acupuncture is a type of treatment that should only be administered by trained professionals. It involves thin needles being inserted into the body at specific points.
How it can help PCOS:
- Regulates hormone levels
- Promotes ovulation
- Reduces insulin resistance
- Weight Loss
What it is: PCOS can make weight loss particularly difficult. At the same time, engaging in exercise, eating a balanced diet, and reducing body weight can help protect you from some of the symptoms of PCOS. PCOS can put you at risk for other complications like heart disease and type two diabetes, but working toward a healthy weight can help reduce these risks.
How it can help PCOS:
- Reduces risk of heart disease and diabetes
- Reduces insulin resistance
- Promotes a regular menstrual cycle
- Reduced Stress
What it is: Finding ways to reduce stress in your daily life by asking for help, seeking therapy, and investing time in self-care can help alleviate the symptoms of PCOS. Living with high levels of stress can make it more difficult to lose weight, get good sleep, and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
The stress hormone cortisol can interact with the hormones at play due to PCOS and cause compounding complications.
How it can help PCOS:
- More balanced hormones due to less cortisol
- Improved mental health
- Easier weight loss and healthy habits
- Probiotics
What it is: Commonly found in foods like pickles, kimchi, kombucha, and yogurt, probiotics are microorganisms that are beneficial to human health. These specific types of bacteria are also sometimes taken as supplements with the guidance of a doctor.
How it can help PCOS:
- Promotes hormone balance
- Reduces inflammation
- Supports healthy digestion and metabolism
- Daily Exercise
What it is: Daily exercise looks different for each person. Exercise can include going on a walk, having an at-home dance break, swimming laps, lifting weights, and much more. Moving your body offers countless benefits for both mental and physical health.
How it can help PCOS:
- Reduces stress
- Eases anxiety and depression
- Supports a healthy weight
- Reduces excess testosterone
- Improves insulin resistance
- Reduces inflammation
- Vitamin D
What it is: Often known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D can be synthesized in the body thanks to exposure to UV rays. It is a fat-soluble vitamin found in fatty fish like trout and salmon, and a small amount can also be consumed through cheese, egg yolks, beef liver, mushrooms, and other animal products. Many foods in the United States also have added vitamin D, like milk.
How it can help PCOS:
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces risk of heart disease
- Reduces risk of type two diabetes
- Alleviates depression
More About PCOS Natural Treatments
Get answers to your key questions about PCOS natural treatments.
What clears PCOS?
Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for PCOS. The condition may not be completely clear, but solutions like customized herbal medicine can support women in finding relief from frustrating symptoms and concerning health risks.
What are the types of PCOS?
The four types of PCOS are:
- Insulin-resistant PCOS, in which the cells do not respond to insulin.
- Inflammatory PCOS, which can raise insulin and androgen levels and cause constant low-grade inflammation.
- Adrenal PCOS, in which the adrenal glands produce excess hormones.
- Post-pill PCOS, which can occur after taking hormonal birth control pills.
What fights PCOS?
Adopting lifestyle changes like daily exercise, stress management practices, and dietary changes can go a long way in fighting PCOS. Especially for those with severe symptoms or who are trying to become pregnant soon, there are helpful medical treatments available.
For those whose goals involve balancing hormones and increasing insulin reception, a personalized blend of herbs can help. That’s where Qi Health comes in. After an initial consultation with a certified Chinese Medicine Doctor, you’ll receive a personalized blend of lab-tested, natural herbs designed to treat your specific symptoms, all with your unique health concerns in mind.
Can you lose weight with PCOS?
PCOS can make it more difficult to lose weight, but it is still possible. While obesity and PCOS can appear as complications of one another, a balanced diet and daily exercise can help promote a healthy weight.
How do you know if you have PCOS?
Symptoms of excess testosterone and irregular periods are the most common signs of PCOS. Share this information with your doctor if you notice excess hair, acne, oily skin, or very irregular or light periods.
They can run tests to determine your hormone levels, and order scans to identify whether there are cysts on your ovaries.
Can PCOS go away?
While there are various encouraging treatments for managing PCOS symptoms and complications, there is no cure for PCOS, and it does not go away on its own.
Treat Your PCOS Naturally With Qi Health
The best course of treatment for PCOS will depend on your unique health history, symptoms, and goals. There are various medical treatments available to help address insulin resistance and infertility concerns. Talk with your doctor about the best approach for your health.
In many cases, PCOS can be managed naturally without prescription medications. Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the most effective tools available for balancing hormones, supporting fertility, and encouraging a regular period.
At the same time, it’s crucial to ensure that the herbs you take are correct for your specific health situation and symptoms. There is a surplus of conflicting information online, and many sources of herbs are unreliable.
Ensure that your health and investment are in expert hands by using Qi Health. By talking with certified Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors and taking a personalized blend of high-quality herbs, you can find natural relief from PCOS symptoms.
External Resources
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Endocrine Society
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - Mayo Clinic
- PCOS and Fertility - Planned Parenthood
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Diagnosis: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - NHS
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – World Health Organization
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – Cleveland Clinic
- PCOS Diet – Johns Hopkins
- Underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy on polycystic ovary syndrome: Evidences from animal and clinical studies
- How to Lose Weight With PCOS: 12 Helpful Tips – Healthline
- Probiotics: What You Need to Know – NIH
- Vitamin D – National Institutes of Health
- What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? – Health.com
