More Than Just Birth Control Pills: Managing PCOS with Functional & Integrative Medicine
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder that affects millions of women worldwide. PCOS has historically been underdiagnosed and is a fairly common cause of fertility issues and symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Traditional approaches to managing PCOS often focus solely on symptomatic treatment, such as hormonal birth control or medications to make the body more sensitive to insulin. While these medications may be helpful for immediate symptom management and may be the right choice for some patients, integrative and functional medicine doctors offer a different approach to caring for PCOS patients by addressing the root causes of the condition and providing personalized, lifestyle-oriented care. Here is a short summarization of how functional medicine can be a valuable tool in managing PCOS and improving overall well-being.
Understanding PCOS:
PCOS is characterized by hormonal imbalances that lead to irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen production, ovarian cysts, and various metabolic disturbances. Symptoms of PMS include irregular periods, fertility issues, acne, facial hair, weight gain, and hair loss. The exact cause of PCOS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Functional medicine recognizes that each individual is unique and aims to identify and address the underlying factors contributing to PCOS. Modifiable lifestyle factors and environment are targeted the most. By changing these elements, we can actually change how your genes are expressed and how disease does or does not manifest in your body.
Personalized Approach:
Functional or integrative medicine doctors like myself take a comprehensive approach to patient care. They delve into a detailed medical history, lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and genetic predispositions. They may also order expanded panel testing to take a closer look at hormone health, gut health, and micronutrient levels in the body. By looking at the whole picture, they can identify specific imbalances and triggers that may be contributing to PCOS symptoms. This individualized approach allows for targeted interventions tailored to the unique needs of each patient and directed at the root cause of the problem, rather than simply treating the symptoms that are the end result of the imbalance or trigger.
Addressing Hormonal Imbalances:
Hormonal imbalances lie at the core of PCOS. Functional medicine doctors recognize the intricate interplay between various hormones, including insulin, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. They focus on rebalancing these hormones through a combination of dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, targeted supplementation, and stress management techniques. It is amazing how much can be accomplished by some relatively simple interventions, not involving the use of exogenous hormones or other pharmaceutical agents. By optimizing hormone levels, patients often experience improvements in menstrual regularity, skin and hair health, fertility, and overall hormonal well-being.
Foods like salmon contain high levels of anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids
Dietary Modifications:
The role of diet in managing PCOS cannot be overstated. Oftentimes, in conventional medicine, patients will simply be told to lose weight and adopt a calorie-restricted diet. Functional and integrative medicine doctors emphasize the importance of a targeted whole-foods-based diet that supports blood sugar stability and reduces inflammation. We may recommend a low-glycemic or insulin-balancing approach, emphasizing complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fiber. We also may suggest eating your foods in a certain order to balance blood sugar, walking after meals, and may even use a continuous glucose monitor to see how blood sugar is playing a role in certain patients with PCOS. Insulin sensitivity and inflammation reduction are crucial for balancing hormones, which is at the heart of our approach to treating PCOS.
Lifestyle Changes:
Functional medicine doctors recognize that lifestyle factors play a significant role in PCOS. Because we can’t measure our lifestyles like we can measure our hormone levels and because lifestyle interventions are more complex than taking a medication or supplement, lifestyle changes are often overlooked by patients and doctors alike. However, stress management techniques, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep are vital for hormone regulation and overall well-being. There are clear links from sleep, stress, and activity to hormone health. Therefore, it is critical to have a good routine incorporating all three. There are so many different options for stress management, including meditation, journaling, therapy, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback. Sleep is an ongoing struggle for many of us. You can find a few simple tips to address your sleep hygiene and sleep health in this blog post. While it is important to exercise regularly, over-exercising can sometimes stress our system and complicate hormone management. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 times a week and talk to a functional medicine doctor like me if you have more specific questions about your personal exercise routine. Additionally, strategies to minimize exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as those found in certain plastics or personal care products, may be discussed. By implementing these lifestyle changes, patients can support their body's natural healing processes and promote optimal hormone balance.
Dr. Karozos on a lunch hike in Aspen
Targeted Supplementation:
Supplements can be valuable adjuncts in PCOS management. Functional and integrative medicine doctors may recommend specific nutrients and herbs that support hormonal balance, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolic function. Examples include omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, inositol, and berberine. These supplements can address nutrient deficiencies, improve insulin sensitivity, and aid in the management of PCOS symptoms. While most people can benefit from taking omega 3s, other supplements should be recommended from a functional or integrative medicine doctor and specifically tailored to you.
Conclusion:
Functional and integrative medicine offer comprehensive and individualized approaches to managing PCOS. By addressing the root causes of this complex condition, functional medicine doctors aim to restore hormonal balance, support metabolic function, and improve overall well-being. By implementing dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, targeted supplementation, and stress management techniques, patients can take an active role in their PCOS management and experience significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life. If you are struggling with PCOS, considering a functional medicine approach may be a beneficial step toward optimizing your health and well-being. Empower yourself by contacting a functional and/or integrative medicine doctor today.
Dr. Stephanie Karozos
