How to regulate periods with PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes their body to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.
Irregular and unpredictable menstrual cycle is one of the most common and frustrating symptoms of PCOS, but this can be managed through a combination of natural methods
Why does PCOS cause irregular periods?
When menstruating women without PCOS, a follicle matures once per month and is released by the ovaries in order to be fertilized. However, the hormonal imbalances in women with PCOS can cause this follicle to not mature or release an egg. Instead, many small follicles remain in the ovaries (where it is referred to as a ‘cyst’) and can be visualized on an ultrasound scan. Small follicles not reaching maturity means that the follicle does not rupture and this leads to a deficiency of progesterone. Menstruation normally occurs when the progesterone level falls after being high following ovulation. When there is no ovulation, there is usually no menstruation. This is why women with PCOS often have irregular or absent periods.
There might be a few remedies that can help you regulate your cycle better even when you are suffering from PCOS:
1- Maintain a healthy weight:
In women who are overweight or underweight, achieving a healthier weight can help to regulate periods and relieve the symptoms of PCOS. Women who are overweight are also more likely to have irregular periods and experience heavier bleeding and pain than women who are at a healthy weight. This is due to the impact that fat cells have on hormones and insulin. Talk to your doctor, they can help you identify a healthy target weight, and come up with a weight loss or gain strategy.
2- Regular Exercise:
Exercise has many health benefits that can help your periods. It can help you reach or maintain a healthy weight and is commonly recommended as part of a treatment plan for PCOS. Exercise can help to regulate periods by assisting with weight control. Whether it’s yoga, swimming, or running, finding a form of exercise that you enjoy every day can really help to keep PCOS from becoming a disruptive force in your day-to-day life. Also, regular exercising helps reduce period pain very effectively as well.
3- Practice good sleep habits:
Menstrual problems, especially PMS, can lead to trouble sleeping for many women, which can further worsen symptoms. You can help combat sleep problems by practicing good sleep habits. Go to bed and get up at roughly the same time each day, avoid consuming caffeine after noon, and don’t take naps.
4- Get vitamin supplements:
Certain supplements may promote menstrual regularity by supporting your hormone levels or addressing nutritional deficiencies.
As vitamin D happens to be an essential vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium effectively, not consuming enough can actually lead to irregular cycles especially for women who are suffering from PCOS. It is brilliant in preventing certain diseases, reducing depression, and even aiding weight loss.
5- Take Apple Cider Vinegar:
It is popularly known and acknowledged to have some amazing health benefits for a long time.
6- Reduce stress:
The adrenal glands secrete both cortisol and progesterone in response to stress. While the release of progesterone may temporarily reduce tension or anxiety, it may also throw off your usual menstrual cycle. Reducing chronic stress through meditation, deep breathing, and other methods may help you feel better and get your cycle back on track.
7- Kitchen remedies:
While the science is still up for debate, there are numerous overall health benefits to increasing your intake of foods with anti-inflammatory properties such as ginger, cinnamon, pineapple, papaya, turmeric, and plenty else. While you can’t rely upon these as an effective treatment, it is always worth investing in a balanced diet that provides a good mix of macro and micro-nutrients.