17 Best Home Remedies to deal with PCOS

All conversations around menstruation are hush-hush in our country.

Those about menstrual illnesses, even more so. That's the reason why most women don’t even know about PCOS despite the fact that it affects 10% of the women of childbearing age. We will discuss about Healing Harmonal Imbalances and PCOS.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal imbalance related disorder that affects women. Here an imbalance in reproductive hormones causes fluid-filled cysts to fill the ovaries. The ovaries get enlarged and stop functioning normally. The cysts are not exactly dangerous but can cause severe pain to some women. Besides, long term untreated PCOS can pose risks of heart disease and diabetes.

PCOS implies that the reproductive organs are not functioning optimally. It can lead to difficulties in the conception of a child and even after conceiving, there are high chances of complications in the pregnancy. This includes miscarriage, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth. Women with PCOS must consult their gynaecologist if they are planning a baby and follow the recommendations properly to ensure that the pregnancy is smooth.

There are some foods to avoid PCOS like red meat, artificial sweeteners, soy etc.

How do I know if I have PCOS?

There are several symptoms of PCOS such as:

1. Irregular menstruation or no menstruation at all
2. Fertility problems
3. Pain in the pelvis
4. Weight gain
5. Acne
6. Hirsutism or excessive hair growth on the body, especially on the face
7. High blood pressure
8. Darkening of the skin around the neck, under the breasts and around the genitals

If you’re experiencing more than one of these symptoms, you should take up an appointment with your OB-GYN. A simple ultrasound test can detect the presence of the cysts.

Check out this Practical Guide To PCOS!

How can PCOS be treated? (PCOS Super Foods)

Unfortunately, there is no definite medication available to prevent or treat PCOS. Most gynaecologists recommend lifestyle and dietary changes. Since it is essentially a hormonal imbalance disorder, eradicating the root can help counter the problem, to an extent.

Along with the medical remedies provided by gynaecologists, you can also try certain natural home remedies. Here is a list of 17 home remedies that you can try along with your medications and lifestyle modifications to help you cope with your symptoms of PCOS.

#1. Vitamin D (Get more Sunlight)

Vitamin D is crucial for the proper functioning of women's reproductive systems. About 65-85% of women with PCOS suffer from a vitamin D deficiency. Taking walks in the early morning sunlight as wee as taking vitamin D supplements can help counter the deficiency and regulate menses and ovulation.

#2. Minerals 

Minerals like Magnesium are important to control blood sugar and help your body get over insulin resistance. control and to overcome insulin resistance. However, it is best to take supplements with a doctor’s advice because you will have to balance your magnesium and calcium intake. Too much Calcium can neutralize the effects of magnesium.

#3. Apple Cider Vinegar

When consumed regularly, Apple Cider Vinegar can regulate insulin in the body and help reduce the symptoms of PCOS. Mix 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar with a glass of warm water and drink it first thing in the morning. Slowly, increase the frequency to before every meal.

#4. Coconut Oil (Regulates Insulin Secretion)

Consume one tablespoon of virgin Coconut oil every day. It contains medium chain fatty acids and antioxidants. This helps normalise levels of blood sugar as well as regulate insulin secretion. Coconut oil reduces the bad cholesterol in the blood and keeps your heart healthy.

#5. Castor Oil

Soak a flannel or a woollen cloth in castor oil and wring out the excess till it stops dripping. Lie flat on your back and place this on your lower abdomen. Over it with a plastic wrap and put a hot water bottle over it. Stay that way for half an hour and then rinse off with soap and water. Do this for 3-4 consecutive days in a week. Castor oil penetrates through all layers of the skin to the organs and helps heal the body internally. It boosts circulation, lymph flow and regulates hormones.

#6. Green Tea

Soak a bag of green tea in hot water and add a little honey. Drink it while it is warm. 2-3 cups of green tea every day can help control PCOS. Antioxidants called catechins in green tea to reduce hormones that cause the ovarian cysts. Plus it also helps in shedding extra kilos and since weight gain is a common symptom of PCOS, this is extremely helpful.

#7. Aloe Vera Juice

Drink a glass of aloe vera juice every morning, before breakfast. It helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and restore the status of the ovarian steroids. This positively affects the function of ovaries and heals symptoms of PCOS.

#8. Amla Juice (Time to Detoxify)

Dilute half a cup of alma juice in 1 cup of water and drink it once every day. It helps to detoxify the body, reduce cholesterol, fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. It is pretty much the miracle juice that helps restore the hormonal balance of the body.

#9. Jeera Water

Add half a teaspoon of jeera powder to a cup of warm water and drink it twice a day. It has antioxidants that remove free radicals from the body and normalise its processes. It also helps to reduce blood sugar and reduce symptoms of PCOS.

#10. Kalonji

Mix a teaspoon each of kalonji, oil and honey and eat it first thing in the morning upon waking up. It is the food of the Gods which is anti-inflammatory as well as anti-diabetic. Besides, it regulates oestrogen which makes it extremely beneficial for treating PCOS.

#11. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are called a superfood and for good reason. It is a superb source of dietary fibre, healthy fats, protein, and minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids. It is good for maintaining cardiovascular health and reduces cholesterol and blood pressure. Try and consume them every day in a smooth, yoghurt or simply soaked in water.

#12. Fenugreek Seeds

Soak fenugreek seeds in water for at least 6-8 hours, you can do it overnight. Mix a teaspoon with honey and eat it. You should do it every day in the morning and 5-10 minutes before meals. It promotes glucose metabolism and helps control the adverse effects of PCOS.

#13. Sesame seeds

Boil a teaspoon of sesame seeds in water till water reduces to half. Strain the mixture and flavour it with some jaggery. Drink a couple of cups every day to get healthy fats, calcium, magnesium and zinc which help control PCOS.

#14. Fennel Seeds

Soak the fennel seeds in a glass of water overnight. The next morning, top it up with another glass of water and boil for a few minutes. Strain and drink this herbal concoction while it is still warm. Fennel seeds reduce androgen, the male hormone, in the body and can help decrease hirsutism or excessive hair growth on the body. You can also mix fennel and fenugreek seeds by simply soaking and boiling them together to get 2x the benefits.

#15. Pumpkin Seeds

Roast and snack on pumpkin seeds. They are sumptuous in taste and very, very healthy. They have Omega-3 fatty acids which aid in managing cholesterol and insulin. Plus, like fennel, it reduces androgen levels in the body to treat hirsutism, acne and weight-gain caused by PCOS.

#16. Increasing Physical Activity

The simple lifestyle change of more physical activity can go a long way in treating PCOS. Calorie-burning activities like walking, swimming, cycling or dancing are great. They not only improve sensitivity to insulin but also help to keep weight in check. There are several yoga postures that help in healing hormone-related diseases including PCOS. A yoga instructor can help you learn them. Yoga is relaxing and healing for the body as well as the mind as it helps you stay stressfree. Try not to do very strenuous physical activity without a doctor’s approval, however.

#17. Quit Smoking

If you’re a smoker, you should definitely consider giving it up. PCOS is another reason to. Besides causing damage to your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, smoking can also enhance the androgen levels in your body and aid the formation of cysts. Quitting it helps prevent PCOS in the first place and not allow it to get worse if you already have it.

While these remedies can help you cope with PCOS, you must visit your gynaecologist and get his or her opinion. It's a bad idea to rely only on home remedies without consulting a doctor first. The doctor's advice and home remedies go hand-in-hand to keep you in the best of health.

To know more, you can put your queries in the SHEROES Health Community where Dr Michelle will answer all your questions.