PCOS, a common problem in today’s world of women. Why?
A 37 year old woman with a history of Hormone problems since the age of the onset of her cycle, age 10.
Her biggest complaint after learning to live with Hormone difficulties was the fact that she could no longer lose weight when she tried and that her facial hair was becoming a problem.
Her history was like a lot of women.
Client History:
- Onset of menses 10 years old
- Childhood was very stressful with much anxiety and fears
- Elementary school had many Strep. throat infections with Antibiotic regimens
- Only had her cycle 3 or 4 times a year as a teenager
- Cycles were painful
- Always heavy as a teenager
- Struggled with Acne
- Early 20’s noticed facial hair growth
- In 20’s only way to keep weight off was daily exercise and fanatical about diet
- Had a Salt and Sweet craving all through 20’s and 30’s
- Age 25 went to Gynecologist with an article about PCOS which led to finally getting a diagnosis
- Age 35, can’t lose weight no matter what I do. Have put on 50 pound in last 10 years.
- Fatigue is increasing as she tries to keep active
- Lately: Have Headaches, Dry flakey skin, Brittle finger nails, Pain between shoulder blades
Medications:
- Metformin
- Spironolactone
- Mirena IUD
- Effexor
Much of this should sound familiar with many women whether they have a diagnosis of PCOS or not.
The thing we need to remember is that PCOS is a syndrome of symptoms and the real causes must be uncovered as well as addressed. Each woman suffering from this disorder has a slightly different story so they cannot be looked at the same.
I had her take her body temperature via mouth throughout the day for 5 days. Her temperature never hit the normal value of 98.6 F. This is a good indicator that her Thyroid was not functioning properly, even though her blood tests were normal.
I ordered a detailed history of symptoms and past medical history be completed by her.
Patterns in her history and symptoms showed:
- Environmental toxin exposures
- Digestive dysfunction
- Suspected Gluten sensitivity
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Hormone dysfunction
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Adrenal dysfunction
Anyone who has suffered from this disorder will not be surprised by this list of system dysfunctions. This is where we must start for each woman.
Finding the keys to the dysfunctions and which are the priority is the only way to truly solve a health problem.
Her priority was Toxicity. We must start here since an overburdened Liver will keep everything else from working. Besides, the Liver is where all the hormones are metabolized.
Second priority was to address the fact that the Hypothalamus and Pituitary were not functioning properly which has resulted in overall Hormone dysfunction.
The Hypothalamus within our brain detect and constantly monitor the Interior as well as Exterior environments. Any miscommunication will effect the signal downstream to the Pituitary Gland which tells the Thyroid, Adrenals and Ovaries what to do.
Plan for her:
- 30 day Detoxification with Liver and Gallbladder support
- Multivitamin, Mineral and Herbal used for Females and Hormone support
- Hypothalamus and Pituitary support
- Ovary support
- Mixed Essential Fatty Acids
- High dose Inositol Vitamin B8
- Thyroid support
Note that these were all recommended to support her own body and the health of it. There is some support for glands and their role in Hormone health. None of this protocol was for the treatment of PCOS, it was meant for supporting her weaknesses that were leading to the dysfunction.
Diet recommendations were for a Paleo Style diet and Exercise was recommended when her energy felt that she could do so, Walking was recommended in the beginning then moving to include Weight Resistant exercises. Then I wanted her to move into a High Intensity Interval Training regimen with a qualified personal trainer.
After just 30 days she already began to ‘feel’ better. She lost 8 pounds in the first month and continues to lose 2-3 pounds per week.
Her report of improvements:
- Headaches are gone
- Energy is up
- Enjoys working out
- Sleep is much better
- Skin and hair feel more healthy
- No more bloating
She continues to do well after 3 months. Her hormones and their balance will continue to improve over the next several months. Rebalancing a body that has been dysfunctional takes time and she will continue to notice differences over the next few years.
By the way, she voluntarily stopped her medications of Effexor, Metformin and Spironolactone. She reports overall feeling better with exclamation marks in her emails.
Function is everything. Symptoms are indications that there are dysfunctions. Each of our body systems effect the other and sometimes the interrelationships seem surprising.
Here is a good example of how a complicated picture can be picked apart if someone is willing to make changes and follow through knowing that it could take some time.
Like a CSI investigator, a Health Crime scene can be unraveled to find the causes and the truth.
Please pass this on to someone that may be suffering from something that they now believe may be a lifelong health issue. The body is amazing and will heal itself when the right things are removed and the right things are added that were missing.
Cheers and good health, Dr. Bill