Naturopathic Medicine Treatment For Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Naturopathic Solutions For PCOS in Toronto: Balancing Hormones & Restoring Vitality

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal health concern affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-age women. Those with a family history of PCOS or diabetes are more at risk.

PCOS is diagnosed when a woman meets 2 out of 3 of the following criteria:

• Anovulation or delayed ovulation. This is characterized by fewer than 21 days or more than 35 days between menstrual cycles.
• Elevated androgen hormone levels. These can include some or all of the following androgenic hormones: testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, DHEAs, SHBG, and androstenedione.
• Multiple cysts on the ovaries (polycystic). This is more common in younger women and can disappear with age.

Symptoms of PCOS can include some or all of the following:

• Irregular menstrual cycles – shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
• Acne
• Hair growth on the face, chest or belly
• Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
• Skin tags
• Hair loss
• Fatty liver disease
• Darkened skin patches

In addition to the above symptoms, women with PCOS are more at risk for developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and infertility. As a result, treatment is designed to improve symptoms but also mitigate these risk factors.

Naturopathic Medicine Approach

Detailed assessments improve therapeutic outcomes so we do a thorough review of your medical history and may recommend specialized lab testing aimed at assessing your unique form of PCOS.

Some of the lab tests we may run when we suspect PCOS or need to better identify the variation of PCOS as a person has, include the following:

• Reproductive Hormone Tests
• Androgen Hormone Tests
• Metabolic Tests – insulin function, blood sugar, thyroid etc
• Brain-Ovary Signalling Tests
• Inflammatory Marker Tests
• Cholesterol Testing
• Liver Function Tests

Following a comprehensive assessment, Naturopathic treatment for PCOS includes a mix of dietary changes, nutritional medicine, and herbal medicine therapies designed to effectively address the underlying issues.

Balancing Hormones is What We Do.

Book your appointment with Dr. Andresen and discover how naturopathic medicine can effectively treat hormonal imbalance concerns like PCOS.