The first thing you should know about PCOS: You are not alone. PCOS affects 6% to 12% of women of reproductive age in the U.S. According to the CDC, that’s as many as 5 million women.
With almost 5 million women affected by PCOS, one would think there are plenty of resources for women struggling with the condition. Sadly, women with PCOS do not feel that way. In a survey by @abcnews, it was cited that 80% of women with PCOS said there is not enough information available about their condition and that more than half of them had never even heard of PCOS prior to their diagnosis.
Here’s a brief overview of this disorder.
What is PCOS?
Symptoms of PCOS can include:
- Irregular periods
- Weight gain
- Increased growth of body and facial hair
- Thinning hair or baldness
- Infertility
- Skin tags
- Depression
- Dark patches of skin in places like armpits or under breasts
The root cause of PCOS is still unknown, but some theories link the condition to insulin resistance and higher levels of certain hormones, like testosterone. Other potential causes are genetic, environmental, or caused by inflammation.
PCOS is a lifelong condition and goes beyond childbearing years. According to Johns Hopkins, if left untreated, the disorder can even lead to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, uterine cancer, and heart and blood vessel problems.
Herman Organic works indirectly with women struggling with infertility, and PCOS seems to be a major culprit. PCOS causes an issue with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries, therefore making it more challenging for women with PCOS to become pregnant. It’s simple: You can’t get pregnant if you don’t ovulate.
Until doctors better understand what causes PCOS, they have identified ways to treat the disorder to alleviate symptoms and help women conceive.
What can you do to help symptoms of PCOS?
Since there is no cure, the best thing to do is help manage the symptoms. Physicians sometimes use birth control and metformin to help women, and they also recommend natural health products or supplements.
For women with PCOS who are interested in becoming pregnant, doctors recommend losing weight as a way to restart ovulation. In addition, the International Journal of Endocrinology offers this information: “Pre-clinical and clinical studies support the Myo-Inositol and D-chiro-inositol ratio as the best one for PCOS treatment directed at restoring ovulation.” Check for symptoms, and always talk to your doctor before starting any medication or regimen.
Other natural alternatives to help women struggling with PCOS symptoms include exercising 20 to 30 minutes per day and electrolysis to remove hair that tends to appear in unwanted areas.
As a company focused on women’s health, we’re grateful for individuals and organizations that help raise awareness for PCOS. It’s important to spread the word, so women do not struggle alone. If you are interested in learning more, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and visit PCOS Challenge, a non-profit PCOS support organization.
About Herman Organic
Herman Organic creates high-quality health products and supplements to improve your health and quality of life. Made in the US, our products are formulated by trusted physicians, specialists, and researchers. We got our start working one-on-one with individuals facing a chronic or critical illness and collaborating with their physicians to improve patient health through natural products. As patients shared their success stories, Herman Organic expanded. In addition to serving clinics, our best sellers are now available on e-commerce channels and sold worldwide. Herman Organic is committed to helping individuals everywhere live better, healthier lives.
