5 Easy Ayurvedic Treatment for PCOD/PCOS

At Pravaayu Ayurveda Clinic, we offer personalized Ayurvedic Treatment for PCOD/PCOS, combining Ayurvedic Therapies, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications to alleviate symptoms and promote holistic well-being.

What is PCOD?

PCOD stands for Polycystic Ovary Disease. It’s a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. In PCOD, the ovaries may develop multiple small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs. This can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty conceiving. PCOD is also associated with hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and other health issues like weight gain and acne. It’s essential for those affected to seek medical advice for diagnosis and treatment options.

What is PCOS?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It’s a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. PCOS is characterized by various symptoms, including excess androgen levels (male hormones), and polycystic ovaries (ovaries containing numerous small cysts). PCOS can also lead to fertility issues and an increased risk of other health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Diseases linked to PCOD and PCOS:

• Classic Phenotype:

Women with irregular menstrual cycles, signs of hyperandrogenism (like hirsutism or acne), and polycystic ovaries visible on ultrasound typically fit the classic phenotype of PCOS. Typically falls under the age group of reproductive-aged women, typically ranging from late teens to early 40s, but can occur at any age within this range.

• Ovulatory Phenotype:

Despite having regular menstrual cycles, women with this phenotype still display signs of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries, suggesting a milder form of PCOS.  Similar to the classic phenotype, it usually affects reproductive-aged women, ranging from late teens to early 40s.

• Normo-Androgenic Phenotype:

Women with irregular menstrual cycles and polycystic ovaries but lacking signs of hyperandrogenism fall into this category, indicating a variant of PCOS that doesn’t exhibit the typical symptoms of excess male hormones. This phenotype can also occur in reproductive-aged women, typically ranging from late teens to early 40s. 

• Non-Hyperandrogenic Phenotype:

Despite experiencing irregular menstrual cycles, women in this category show signs of hyperandrogenism without polycystic ovaries, suggesting a different presentation of PCOS where the ovaries may not have the characteristic cysts. It typically affects reproductive-aged women, ranging from late teens to early 40s.

Recognizing Symptoms of PCOD-PCOS:

PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disease) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) are often used interchangeably, but they technically refer to the same condition. Therefore, the symptoms of PCOD and PCOS are essentially the same.

Irregular menstrual cycles:

Women with PCOD/PCOS often experience irregular periods, which may be infrequent, heavy, or prolonged. Some may even have periods that occur less than eight times a year or not at all.

Polycystic ovaries:

The ovaries may contain multiple small follicles, which can be detected through ultrasound imaging. However, not all women with PCOD/PCOS have cysts, and not all ovarian cysts indicate PCOD/PCOS.

Weight gain:

Many women with PCOD/PCOS struggle with weight gain or have difficulty losing weight, particularly around the abdomen.

Hair loss:

Some women with treatment of PCOD/PCOS may experience thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp, known as female pattern baldness.

Skin issues:

In addition to acne, women with PCOD/PCOS may experience skin tags, darkening of the skin, or skin discoloration, particularly around the neck and in skin folds.

Difficulty conceiving:

PCOD/PCOS is a leading cause of infertility in women due to irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation.

Ayurvedic approaches in Treatment of PCOD/PCOS:

Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine originating in India, helps in managing PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) or PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Here are some Ayurvedic treatments and lifestyle suggestions that can help in curing:

Herbal remedies:

• Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): Known as a rejuvenating herb for women’s health, shatavari may help regulate menstrual cycles and balance hormones.
• Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia): Known for its immune-boosting properties, guduchi may also help regulate hormonal imbalances.

Lifestyle Modifications:

• Exercises: Regular physical activity can help improve insulin sensitivity, aid in weight management, and promote overall well-being.
• Adequate sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial for hormone regulation and overall health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
• Stress Management: Chronic stress can exacerbate in treatment of PCOD/PCOS symptoms. Find stress-reducing activities that work for you, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or spending time in nature.

Dietary Modifications:

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet in managing PCOD/PCOS. Recommendations include:

• Favouring warm, cooked meals over cold or raw foods.
• Avoiding processed sugars, refined carbohydrates, and excess dairy.
• Reducing salt intake in your body.
• Eating regularly fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds.

Yoga Asanas:

Yoga can be a beneficial component of a holistic approach to managing treatment of PCOD/PCOS. It can help reduce stress, improve hormonal balance, promote weight management.

• Surya Namaskar (Sun salutation): Surya Namaskar is a sequence of twelve yoga poses performed in a flowing manner. It helps improve circulation, stimulate the reproductive organs, and promote overall flexibility and vitality.

• Bharadvajasana (Bharadvaja’s Twist): This seated twist helps massage the abdominal organs, including the ovaries, and may help improve digestion and alleviate bloating.

• Balasana (Child pose): This resting pose helps calm the mind, relieve stress, and gently stretch the lower back and hips. It can be particularly soothing during menstruation or when experiencing pelvic discomfort.

• Ustrasana (Camel pose): Camel Pose stretches the front of the body, including the abdomen and chest. It may help improve circulation to the reproductive organs and promote hormonal balance.

Panchakarma Therapy:

Panchakarma is a comprehensive Ayurvedic detoxification and purification therapy that aims to remove toxins (ama) from the body and restore balance to the doshas. Specific Panchakarma treatments that may be beneficial for treatment of PCOD/PCOS include:

• Vamana: Therapeutic vomiting to eliminate excess Kapha dosha from the body.
• Virechana: Medicated purgation to eliminate excess Pitta dosha and toxins from the intestines.
• Basti: Herbal enemas to balance Vata dosha and cleanse the colon. 

Benefits:

• Helps in reducing period pain.
• Prevents from itching in body.
• Reduce brown and white discharge from body.
• Decline in stress and anxiety level.
• Supporting in weight management.
• Balancing doshas.

FAQ’s

Will Ayurveda help in curing PCOD/PCOS?

Yes, the ayurvedic therapies/treatments will help you to get cured from PCOD/PCOS disease.

Is yoga helpful for treating PCOD/PCOS management in yoga?

Yes, yoga is considered beneficial for PCOD/PCOS management in Ayurveda. Specific yoga asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing exercises), and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, improve hormonal balance.

Can stress worsen PCOD/PCOS symptoms according to Ayurveda?

Yes, Ayurveda recognizes the impact of stress on hormonal balance and overall health. Chronic stress can exacerbate PCOD/PCOS symptoms by increasing hormonal function, and contributing to inflammation.

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