PCOS-MEDICATION Messages for May, 2001: Hi .. thought I would share

Hi .. thought I would share

From: Amy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 29 May 2001 13:04:55 -0500

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Amy Listed below are some things you can try for PCOS Keep your diet alkline and free of animal fats using Omega oils instead. Take Vitamin E. I also pasted some information about PCOS that may be helpful. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions or need nore information. Fred

Natural Remedies for PCOS and Insulin Resistance Progesterone Creams (Some choices are Natural Balance, Life Changes Plus, Projest) Many women have had success using progesterone cream to produce regular periods after experiencing PCOS-related amenhorrea as an alternative to taking Provera. If you have been using progesterone cream and think you may be pregnant, be sure that you aren't before you stop using it because it is possible that suddenly stopping could cause a miscarriage.

Cinnamon 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. of cinnamon with every meal helps keep insulin & blood sugar levels under control. It contains a phytochemical called methyl hydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) which improves cellular glucose utilization and increases the sensitivity of insulin receptors. 1

Glutamine Glutamine is an amino acid which has been shown in animal studies to prevent high blood sugar and insulin levels in mice that were susceptible to developing high sugar levels when fed a high-fat diet. 2

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) Help keep cell membranes flexible. Flexible cell membranes have more and better insulin receptors, which improves glucose metabolism. Flax seed and some kinds of deep-sea fish have them - you can get it in capsules too - borage oil, black currant oil, evening primrose oil, flax seed oil, fish oil. 1

Chromium Chromium deficiency produces symptoms of diabetes and insulin resistance, including high blood sugar levels, decreased sensitivity of insulin receptors, lower HDL (good) cholesterol and high total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Modern diets that are rely heavily on sugar and refined grains (white flour and white rice, for example) aggravate chromium deficiency because more chromium is used to metabolize them than is replaced by the foods. Chromium picolinate seems to be the most bio-available form, though GTF chromium has been studied longer and is recommended by Drs. Rachael and Richard Heller, authors of the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet books; 200 mcg/day of either may prevent diabetes in those predisposed to it and improve insulin resistance symptoms. 1

1. Health and Nutrition Breakthroughs, September 1998. 2. Health and Nutrition Breakthroughs, November 1997. 3. Goldfine, A.B., Simonson, D.C., Folli, F., Patti, M.E., Kahn, C.R., Metabolic Effects of Sodium Metavanadate in Humans with Insulin Dependent and Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus In Vivo and In Vitro Studies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 1995, 80 (11): 3311-3320. 4. Goldfine, A.B., Simonson, D.C., Folli, F., Patti, M.E., Kahn, C.R., In vivo and In Vitro Studies of Vanadate in Human and Rodent Diabetes Mellitus. Mol Cell Biochem., 1995, 153: 217-231.

The information provided by this site is for educational purposes and is in no way meant to replace qualified advice from a medical practitioner.

What is PCOS? Polycystic ovarian syndrome (also referred to as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, polycystic ovarian disease or hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation) is an endocrine disorder found in 5%-10% women. It can cause a myriad of symptoms that appear, on the surface, to be unrelated, including: irregular or absent periods lack of ovulation weight gain (particularly around the waist - the "apple" shape as opposed to the "pear" or "hourglass" shape which is more typical for women) hirsutism (excess body hair) which tends to worsen over time insulin resistance (now thought to be a cause rather than a symptom, more on this later). When insulin resistance is found along with high blood pressure, high triclyceride levels, decreased HDL (good cholesterol) and obesity, it is sometimes termed "Syndrome X". acne male-pattern balding multiple small cysts on the ovaries acanthosis nigrans (darkening of the skin under the arms and breasts and at the nape of the neck)

What's going on in my body? In PCOS, a cycle starts wherein the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to the release of more and more insulin to compensate. This condition is called hyperinsulinemia. The ovaries of PCOS women seem to be particularly sensitive to high blood levels of insulin and respond by overproducing androgens (such as testosterone). This disrupts the "feedback loop" between the ovaries and the pituitary gland, and the pituitary gland produces too much LH (luteinizing hormone), leading to more overproduction of androgens. The immature follicles in the ovaries then fail to convert the excess androgens to estrogen, which inhibits the development of the follicle. Ovulation doesn't take place because the egg couldn't develop properly, and the immature egg, instead of being released from the ovary, becomes a tiny cyst that starts producing its own supply of androgens, which interferes with next month's developing follicle.

What causes it? In the past it was thought that PCOS was caused entirely by excess androgen production, but recent research has shown that the factor that causes the problem is insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which in turn cause overproduction of androgens. Treatment previously revolved around treating the androgen imbalance, and wasn't necessarily very effective. Newer treatments focus on the insulin problems and are showing great promise. There's an excellent diagram of the process at Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A New Direction in Treatment. The diagram is about halfway down the page, under the heading "Insulin Resistance in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome." The whole article is good and gives a great explanation of the process.

How is it diagnosed? PCOS is often overlooked by doctors, though awareness of it is increasing. It is generally diagnosed through various blood tests and ultrasound. It shouldn't be diagnosed by ultrasound alone, though, because about 20% of women have polycystic-appearing ovaries - it's a symptom of chronic anovulation, which can be caused by other things. Blood tests can be done to test a number of different hormone levels - high androgen levels (particularly free testosterone), high levels of LH or elevated LH to FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) ratio are often the basis for diagnosis.

Problems and risks associated with PCOS Women with PCOS have an increased risk of developing a number of other health conditions. This does not mean that by having PCOS you are destined to develop any of these problems, just that you have a higher risk than the general population. Type II (adult-onset) diabetes. By controlling the production of insulin and with changes in diet, this risk can be reduced. If it isn't treated, there is up to a 40% risk of developing diabetes by age 40. High cholesterol and triglyceride levels Cardiovascular disease. Again, by controlling the production of insulin, this risk can also be greatly lowered. During treatment cholesterol levels have often been seen to drop down to normal levels as well. Endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). This risk comes from lack of menstruation - if you haven't reached menopause and aren't having periods on your own on a semi-regular basis, you need to be treated or you may risk developing endometrial cancer.

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