Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a relatively common health problem affecting American women. According to the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association, or POSA, PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects about 5 to 10 percent of all females in the United States. This condition is characterized by an imbalance in sex hormones and small cysts in ovaries. Visit your primary care provider before using dietary supplements to help treat your PCOS.
PCOS
PCOS most commonly develops in women between the ages of 20 and 30, notes the National Center for Biotechnology Information. PCOS may cause absent or irregular menstrual periods and the development of certain male sex characteristics, including voice deepening, increased body and facial hair, and male-pattern baldness. PCOS may also cause skin changes, such as acne and easily observable marking or creases around your neck, breast and other parts of your body.
Helpful Supplements
Dietary supplements have long been used for treating various aspects of PCOS. POSA lists numerous herbal and non-herbal supplements that may be helpful for treating PCOS, including chasteberry, cinnamon root, fish oil, biotin, licorice, magnesium, gymnema, quercetin, saw palmetto, chromium, folic acid and vitamins B6, B12 and D. Diindolylmethane may also be a beneficial supplement for addressing certain aspects of this health problem, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC. These supplements may be beneficial for balancing blood sugar and supporting weight loss, correcting hormone imbalances, boosting your energy levels and replenishing the body with the proper vitamins and minerals. Supplements historically used for treating PCOS may require further scientific research testing to determine their true health merits, however.
Highlighted Supplements
Diindolylmethane, or DIM, may be a helpful dietary supplement for treating PCOS. DIM is a compound in cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. The MSKCC reports that DIM has historically been used for normalizing estrogen metabolism -- many people with PCOS are estrogen dominant -- detoxification and cancer prevention. This nutritional supplement also possesses anti-androgen properties, which helps reduce PCOS symptoms, such as facial and body hair. Always discuss proper dosage with your doctor before using this supplement.
Warning
PCOS is a serious health problem that should always be managed by a licensed healthcare practitioner. If left untreated, PCOS may lead to several health complications, including endometrial cancer, infertility and breast cancer. Dietary supplements may be a helpful adjunct therapy in treating certain aspects of your PCOS, but you should avoid using supplements in place of other therapies suggested by your primary care provider. Ask your doctor about the risks, benefits and limitations of supplements in treating your PCOS.
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