Ayurvedic Treatment in Kerala for PCOS
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UNDERSTANDING PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is a common cause of female infertility and can be devastating to women, especially during their reproductive years. The impact it has on the physical and emotional health of women is so huge that many struggle to get on with their day to day lives. The fact that the symptoms of PCOS like rapid weight gain, male pattern hair growth and baldness, acne etc. are easily noticeable by others may negatively affect her social confidence and even her sense of identity as a woman. Irregular monthly cycles that occur at the least anticipated times often cause extreme distress. Even after struggling continuously with strict dieting, rigorous exercise and a daily dose of medicines that include contraceptives, many are not able to achieve satisfactory results. Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for PCOS holds more promise and could help you come out of this suffering forever with 4 to 6 weeks of inpatient treatment. A course of ayurvedic treatment for PCOS can restore hormonal balance and could even prove to be the way to fulfilling your dreams of holding your baby.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a complex hormonal condition where your ovaries develop multiple cysts of immature ovarian follicles. Normally, every month an ovarian follicle containing an ovum or egg cell in it matures and ruptures to release the egg - a process called ovulation. But if you have PCOS, this ovulation process is interrupted due to the failure of follicles to become mature and release the eggs.
What causes PCOS?
The exact cause behind PCOS is still unknown but since this condition frequently runs in families, a genetic factor is suspected. Changing lifestyle and dietary habits are also believed to be causing PCOS. Majority of the women with PCOS have insulin resistance - that is, the cells cannot effectively utilize insulin and as a result there will be an increased level of insulin in their blood. This elevated insulin level stimulates the hypothalamus to release more GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone) which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more Luteinizing Hormone (LH). When LH is more than Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), it causes decreased follicle maturation and the ovary produces more testosterone. The decreased follicular maturation causes delayed or no ovulation at all resulting in the accumulation of such immature follicles in the ovary. Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala restores normal menstrual cycles by correcting the underlying hormonal imbalances.
When should you undergo ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for PCOS?
The most troublesome aspect of PCOS is the manifestation of its symptoms. You may have absence of menstruation often and when they actually come after a gap of some months, it may be heavy or scanty. Less than 9 menstrual cycles a year is considered as a diagnostic criteria for PCOS. Absence of correct ovulation often results in anovulatory cycles with no surge in progesterone and only oestrogen induced endometrial shedding happening irregularly resulting in irregular periods. Unwanted hair growth especially over the face, excessive hair fall and the equally disturbing acne problem could be symptoms caused due to high levels of testosterone. High levels of insulin causes fat storage resulting in weight gain, especially around the abdomen. This overweight and insulin resistance also result in dark velvety patches called acanthosis nigricans in skin folds of armpit, neck, groin etc. Apart from these physical symptoms, you may often experience extreme mood swings due to the changed hormone levels and / or due to your concern over the physical symptoms. If you have been experiencing these symptoms or if you have been diagnosed with PCOS, you must undergo ayurvedic treatment in Kerala as soon as you can, because if not managed in time, PCOS could even cause multiple miscarriages, sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, blood pressure and infertility.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR PCOS
What is the understanding behind ayurvedic treatment for PCOS?
According to ayurveda, PCOS is a condition that happens when kapha dosha goes out of balance (kapha, pitta and vata are the three doshas in our body). Long term indulgence in deep fried items, junk food, lack of physical activity etc.results in aggravation of kapha dosha. If you are a kapha predominant person by birth, such a genetic factor increases your proneness for kapha aggravation and the risk of developing PCOS. Excessive kapha causes sluggishness of digestive fire resulting in improper digestion. As a result of improper digestion, toxins are formed in the body. Toxins and kapha together get lodged in the cells and channels of the body, causing insulin resistance and subsequently hormonal imbalances that stop ovarian follicles from maturing. Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala mainly aims at correcting these disturbances caused by kapha and toxins and restoring the normal functioning of reproductive hormones.
What is the chief therapeutic aim of ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala?
Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala is a step by step process where it aims to correct the fundamental underlying cause - the imbalance of kapha dosha - and there by stop correct the pathological processes that causes the formation of ovarian cysts. This helps in subsiding the symptoms effectively and restoring hormonal balance.
What are the benefits of ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for PCOS?
Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for PCOS aims to achieve the following:
Correct digestion: Medicines are given to correct the digestive fire and remove the toxins formed in the body as a result of improper digestion. This is essential to make the body as a whole as well as the reproductive system responsive to treatment.
Improve reproductive health: One or more of suitable panchakarma therapies like vamana (therapeutic vomiting), virechana (therapeutic purgation) and vasti (medicated enema) are used to restore the healthy balanced state of kapha dosha and cleanse the reproductive system. It also addresses obesity by increasing metabolism, specifically metabolism of fat tissue.
Restore normal menstrual cycles and improve fertility: Treatments like virechana and vasti help in restoring the correct functioning of tridoshas. Among the different types of vasti, uttara vasti and lekhana vasti are usually prescribed in PCOS. Uttara vasti helps in strengthening the uterine muscles for implantation, cleansing the reproductive system and improving follicular maturity while lekhana vasti, with its dissolving action, helps in minimizing the cysts of immature follicles inside the ovary. It also helps in reducing your body weight by dissolving accumulated fat, especially around the abdomen.
Restore hormonal balance: To correct the malfunctioning of the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis, nasya therapy where medicines are installed through the nostrils to have a direct effect on the brain and regulate hormone secretion. Correcting hormonal imbalance also gives relief from your symptoms like acne, hair loss etc. Insulin resistance is corrected with internal medicines.
How successful is the ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala?
Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala takes 28 to 40 days depending on the severity of the condition. Young women who take PCOS treatment in Kerala may be able to achieve complete relief within this duration. Women who suffer from infertility and other more complicated problems have high chances of getting pregnant after taking PCOS ayurvedic treatment. Apart from its effectiveness, the fact that ayurveda does not administer contraceptive or hormonal therapies for PCOS treatment, makes it very safe and a better option compared to other conventional therapies
AYURVEDIC DIET AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE
What is the role of diet in the ayurvedic treatment for PCOS?
Diet plays an important role in both preventing and managing PCOS. Since PCOS is caused by an increase in kapha dosha, food that does not cause its further increase is generally advised in PCOS. Such a kapha pacifying diet also proves to be beneficial in reducing allied problems like insulin resistance and obesity. High fiber foods like broccoli, brussel sprouts, banana stem, beans, lentils etc slow down glucose release and combat insulin resistance. Try avoiding rice and rice products as much as possible as they are foods with high glycemic index. Instead, consume low glycemic index food items like whole wheat, oats, non-starchy vegetables etc. Including sesame, cumin and fennel seeds in your diet is good as these are proved uterine stimulants and help in regulating your menstrual cycle. It is advisable to avoid all dairy products including milk as they tend to increase kapha dosha. If you cannot avoid it fully, go for low fat milk mildly spiced with ginger, cinnamon or turmeric as these spices help reduce the kapha - aggravating quality of milk. Cut down on your sugar intake as anything sweet tends to increase kapha dosha. Honey is a good substitute for normal white sugar. Regulate the use of red meat and poultry and instead choose lean protein items like fish, soy products etc. Strictly avoid junk food and deep fried items as they have no nutritional value but contributes to obesity. Before your discharge from the ayurveda hospital in Kerala, have a sit-down discussion with your physician to learn how to manage your diet for the best treatment results.
What is the role of lifestyle in the ayurvedic treatment for PCOS?
Even the best ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for PCOS gives the full desired results only when supported by a combination of diet and lifestyle modifications. Spend at least one hour everyday for exercise. Staying active helps reduce insulin resistance and weight gain associated with PCOS. Keep stress at bay as stress worsens PCOS. Practising yoga and meditation helps you in this and has an influence in regulating the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis. Avoid exposure to cold weather and consumption of cold beverages as these aggravate kapha.
SUMMARY
PCOS is a disease that could take years of happiness away from a woman's youth. The sufferings from the disease is worsened by the fact that the modern medical system fails to offer a complete cure even after treatments using hormones and contraceptives. Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS requires 4 to 6 weeks of in patient treatment and has a special approach of managing the disease without using hormones or harmful drugs, but at the same time has direct beneficial effect on the entire reproductive system. Thousands of women who lead a healthy life after ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala stand testament to this. Proper ayurvedic treatment and following the diet and lifestyle advice given to you by your ayurvedic centre in Kerala can provide a normal, healthy and productive life.
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FAQs
Does ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala offer a complete cure?
Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS in Kerala aims at curing the disease completely. But for the results to sustain, you have to judiciously follow the advice of your treating physician. You will be given follow up medicines for about 3 months or more. Taking these without fail and following the dietary and lifestyle advice will ensure that you are free of PCOS for a lifetime.
Can I undergo ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for PCOS while I am on my infertility treatment?
Yes. Even if you are undergoing infertility treatment in the western system of medicine, you may simultaneously undergo ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for PCOS. Prior to starting your treatment, inform your ayurvedic physician about the treatments and medications you are already taking for infertility. Discuss with your physician regarding infertility treatment options in ayurveda as well, so that the treatment can address that aspect too.