Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines for PCOS

Most women dread the thought of menses or periods, irregularities and unusual changes in the menstrual cycle can be a nightmare. Delayed or irregular menses, no menses for many months, prolonged menses — all these could be indicative of an endocrine disorder known in medical terms as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Along with this complaint, hair growth on face and acne are very common in PCOS. It is a very common hormonal syndrome that affects women in the reproductive age group and is one of the leading causes of female infertility.

Homeopathic Treatment Of PCOS

Homeopathy can be a boon to patients having PCOS. Homeopathic medicines help to treat PCOS and manage its symptoms by working to set right the hormones that are out of balance in such cases. These help to regularise the menstrual cycle and manage other signs and symptoms of PCOS like heavy periods, facial hair, pimples, hairfall., skin pigmentation. There are numerous medicines in homeopathy to treat these cases, but among these, the medicine which is required to get rid of the disease from its roots varies from case to case. The medicine needs to be selected as per signs and symptoms in each individual case. So it is advised to consult a homeopathic doctor to discuss the right plant of treatment in every case. The complete cure of PCOS is a time-consuming process that can take several months. It requires complete observation regarding the change of symptoms in the patient and frequent clinical follow-ups.   

Homeopathic Medicines For PCOS

1. Pulsatilla – Top Grade Medicine

Pulsatilla Nigricans is a natural medicine sourced from plant ‘wind flower’. It is the top most medicine for treating PCOS. The foremost issue that it can help with is irregular and late periods due to hormonal disturbances. It is indicated for cases where periods happen very late, later than the expected date and menstrual flow is also scanty and may be dark and thick. Menses can be painful as well. Besides, it is a wonderful medicine to treat acne associated with menstrual irregularities.

When and How to use Pulsatilla?

Pulsatilla is a highly recommended medicine for cases of hormonal disorders in females. This medicine is prescribed in cases of irregular menses, and where tendency for late periods is there. This medicine helps to regularise menstrual cycle and aims to bring periods on the right time. The potency of this medicine differs from case to case from low to high. Low potencies like 30C can be taken twice a day. Use of high potency like 200C is limited to once a day. Potencies higher than this including 1M, 10M are also available that are used in infrequent doses and should only be taken after consulting homeopathic doctor.

2. Sepia – For Irregular Periods, Facial Hair And Pigmentation

 

Sepia is the next most effective medicine to help cases of hormonal imbalance which results in ovarian cyst. Most prominently its action is to regulate hormonal levels to regularise the menstrual cycle. In general, females needing it have tendency of late periods with scanty blood flow. A very characteristic symptom present is a bearing down sensation in pelvic region as if pelvic organs will be pushed out of vagina. Sepia is indicated to manage complaint of facial hair. Hair growth is mostly noted over upper lips and chin. Sepia is also a leading medicine to treat infertility in females. Lastly, Sepia is recommended to manage cases of skin pigmentation (darkening).

When and How to use Sepia?

This medicine can be used to regularise menstrual cycle and also to treat late, scanty menses. Besides, also remember to use it in cases of facial hair and skin pigmentation. Sepia is available in different potencies like 30C, 200C and 1M. Among these, the potency varies from case to case but is usually used is 30C potency once a day.

3. Calcarea Carb – To Manage Weight Gain And Heavy Period

It is an important medicine when it comes to manage problem of weight gain. This medicine controls excessive weight gain. Other than this, it is an excellent medicine to manage heavy periods in PCOS cases. The duration of periods may also be prolonged in cases needing it. There may be extreme sensitivity to cold air.

When and How to use Calcarea Carb?

Its use can be done in cases where excessive weight gain is well marked and menses are very heavy. In the  beginning, Calcarea Carb 30C is apt to start with, taken twice a day. Higher potencies may also be required in some cases after carefully watching the symptoms, but it is best to consult a homeopathic expert before taking high potency.

4. Natrum Mur – For Managing Hair Fall And Hair Thinning

Natrum Mur is an ideal choice of medicine to manage cases of hair fall and hair thinning. It will control further falling of hair in such cases. Apart from this, it is also indicated to treat tendency to have late periods. Lastly, it can manage sadness, irritability and headache well.

When and How to use Natrum Mur?

Use of Natrum Mur can be done in cases of hair fall and hair thinning. Though it works well in various potencies, most commonly used in 6X potency which comes in tablet form. One may take Natrum Mur 6X three to four times a day (4 tablets at a time) as per severity of hair fall.

5. Hepar Sulph – Manage Your Pimples With This Medicine

Hepar Sulph is an outstanding medicine when it comes to managing pimples (acne). It works very well in cases of acne contains pus (pustular acne). These are attended with a prickling pain. Sometimes blood may ooze from pimples.

When and How to use Hepar Sulph?

When it comes to treat acne (more particularly the ones filled with pus) and halt its further spread, Hepar Sulph is the right choice. Take it in 30C potency once or twice a day as per severity of complaint and watch its excellent results.

6. Oleum Jecoris Aselli – Choose It For Managing Hair Growth On Face

One may find this medicine highly suitable when it comes to treating excessive hair growth on face. It gives good results when hair growth occurs on chin or upper lip. The hair may be thick. This medicine has great ability to check unusual hair growth on a woman’s face.

When and How to use Oleum Jecoris Aselli?  

Oleum Jecoris Aselli, with a short name Oleum Jec, is a very popularly known remedy for managing cases of hair growth on women’s face. The most commonly used potency of this medicine is 3X. Four tablets of Oleum Jecoris Aselli 3X twice or thrice a day is the right dose to start with.

7. Kali Carb – When Periods Are Late By Several Months 

Kali Carb is a very helpful medicine for cases in which periods are missed for several months (say 3 or more) together. When periods come, they are heavy in nature. It is attended with backache. Before periods, a colicky pain in lower abdomen may be felt.

When and How to use Kali Carb?

A female having tendency to miss periods for many months together like 3 to 4 months can find this medicine quite helpful. This medicine can be taken in 30C potency two times a day to get periods on time.

8. Thuja – For Managing Hair Growth On Face And Skin pigmentation

Thuja is prepared from fresh twigs of plant Arbor Vitae. Use of this medicine is highly considered to manage excessive hair growth on face. Next, it is applicable to manage skin pigmentation. Here, it is  used for brownish discolouration on skin.

When and How to use Thuja?

This medicine is well indicated to manage excessive hair growth on face as well as brownish skin pigmentation. This medicine can be used in low and high potencies as per individual case. Generally, 30C potency can be taken once a day, but in high potencies like 200C and 1M, infrequent doses are recommended like once or twice a week.

Note One may use these medicines for one to two months. To use it beyond that or to change its potency and dose kindly check with a homeopathic practitioner.

Causes Behind PCOS

The exact cause for PCOS is still not clear. There are a few factors however that are believed to play a role in it.

1. It is considered a disease of genetic origin. A woman with a positive family history of PCOS is at a higher risk of developing the same.

2. Main factor is excessive production of male hormone androgen by the ovaries.

3. Next is insulin resistance and excess of insulin (a hormone produced by pancreas that helps body cells to use sugar for energy). In case cells get resistant to insulin, then there is an increase in blood sugar levels. This makes the pancreas to produce more insulin. The excessive insulin in turn trigger ovaries to produce more androgen.

4. Another factor is low-grade inflammation due to high androgen levels.

5. Weight gain and obesity and an inactive lifestyle are other contributory factors.

Signs And Symptoms Of PCOS

1. Menstrual problems: They include

a) Irregular periods that occur from absence of ovulation due to which the lining of uterus is not shed every month.

b) Delayed periods, amenorrhea (absence of menses for three or more consecutive months).  Females with this may have less than eight periods in a year.

c) Scanty menses

d) Heavy periods. As the periods do not occur regularly, it  results in building up of uterine lining for long. When the periods occur, they can be heavier than normal.

2. Hirsutism: It means excess hair growth on the face or other unusual parts of the body. The hair growth may occur on belly, chest and back. Hirsutism is due to raised male hormone levels.

3. Acne / pimples may occur due to elevated male hormones that cause skin to become oily. Acne may occur on face, chest and back.

4. Hairfall, hair thinning

5. Tendency to gain weight (it is noted in around 80% of these cases) and obesity

6. Skin darkening may appear especially in body folds like groin, under breast, armpits and neck.

7. Mood swings, irritability and headache may be complained by some from hormonal changes.

These signs and symptoms will have to be supported by hormone tests and other medical investigation for proper diagnosis of PCOS. The main test is an ultrasound which shows the presence of cysts (fluid-filled sacs) in ovaries with the enlargement of ovaries. Next are hormone tests such as FSH, LH, androgens, prolactin, and progesterone.

What Are Its Complications?

The first and very common complication that can arise is infertility (this is because women with PCOS do not have ovulation regularly and as a result egg is not released to be fertilized).

The second complication that can occur is Type 2 diabetes.

Third complication is metabolic syndrome (a combination of conditions that includes high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high LDL and low HDL). These conditions increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, which means interrupted or reduced blood supply to part of  brain depriving it of oxygen and nutrients that results in death of brain cells within minutes. It is a serious condition needing immediate medical help.  It may also result in diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Other complications are miscarriage and premature birth. It can also lead to anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Another complication is sleep apnea (repeated momentary pauses in breathing during the night interrupting sleep). Liver inflammation from fat accumulation in the liver is yet another complication. Lastly, there may be risk of endometrial cancer means cancer of uterine lining (as ovulation doesn’t occur and the uterine lining doesn’t shed each month, this lining gets built up and thick  lining in endometrium increases risk of endometrial cancer).

Pathophysiology Of PCOS

In PCOS, ovaries of a woman and ovulation are affected. The ovaries are a pair of reproductive organs in woman that produce eggs (ovum). The ovaries also produce hormones named estrogen, progesterone and a little amount of male hormones known as androgens. The ovaries release an egg every month. The process of release of egg from ovary is known as ovulation. Ovulation occurs around 14th day of a 28 day menstrual cycle. The ovulation is under control of hormones FSH – Follicle stimulating hormone and LH – luteinizing hormone.  Among these, FSH controls follicle (sac containing egg) production by ovary and maturation of egg and surge of LH triggers the release of mature egg from ovary.

In case of PCOS, there is an increase in androgen (male hormone) level. This inhibits the production of hormones by ovaries and normal development of an egg. In PCOS, fluid-filled sacs/ immature follicles in ovaries that contain an immature egg develop and ovulation doesn’t occur. The absence of ovulation results in altered levels of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. Additionally, levels of progesterone is low in cases of PCOS.