PCOS or called polycystic ovary syndrome is known as a common endocrine system disorder that often occurs in women of reproductive age. This condition is characterized by high levels of androgens in the body. PCOS can be discovered by an ultrasound exam. The women with PCOS might have some small collections of fluid in their ovaries. These collections are called follicles.

The signs and symptoms of PCOS may begin when a woman begins experiencing menarche. It also occurs during the reproductive years of the women. The common symptoms of PCOS are involved in infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, obesity, acne, and excess hair growth. Especially, the adolescents experience absent or infrequent menstruation may be related to this condition.

The causes of PCOS are not identified. However, there are some factors can affect this condition including excess insulin, heredity, and low-grade inflammation. Excess insulin can make androgen production increase since then interfere with the ovaries’ ability to ovulate. Heredity is being considered to be linked to PCOS. Low-grade inflammation is one of the main factors that stimulate polycystic ovaries to produce androgens.

PCOS may contribute to increasing the risk of some certain conditions includes type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and lipid abnormalities, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, infertility, sleep apnea, heart disease, depression, anxiety, gestational diabetes or pregnancy, cancer of the uterine lining, and abnormal uterine bleeding. Hence, it should be diagnosed early. Although there is no treatment for this condition, it can be controlled by some home remedies and lifestyle changes. AllRemedies will show what they are.

Natural Home Remedies For PCOS Symptoms That You Should Know

1. Maintain Your Healthy Weight

As we mentioned on the above, obesity is one of the common symptoms of PCOS. Improving PCOS also includes controlling its symptoms like obesity as obesity can worsen insulin resistance in your body. That is why you need to maintain your healthy weight so as to lower both androgen and insulin levels since then restore ovulation of the ovaries. The people with obesity need to lose their weight. It may be helpful for polycystic ovary syndrome. You can lose your weight by controlling how many calories you consume each day, or reduce the portion sizes. You also ask your doctor to have a proper weight-control program.

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2. Consider Dietary Changes

Considering dietary changes is also one of the useful home remedies for PCOS symptoms. If you are having the low-fat and high-carbohydrate diets, you need to reconsider your diet. A diet is low-fat and high carbohydrate may make your insulin levels increase. A low-carbohydrate diet may be good for the people with PCOS. However, you should not restrict carbohydrates severely. Instead, you can consider complex carbohydrates high in fiber. Since then your blood sugar levels can rise slowly. You can see some high-fiber carbohydrates like beans, brown rice, barley, bulgur wheat, whole-wheat pasta, whole-grain bread and cereals. Besides that, you should limit some less healthy carbohydrates such as donuts, cookies, pies, ice cream, candy, cake, soda.

In addition, you should have a healthy, balanced and low glycemic diet. A healthy diet can help promote quick recovery from PCOS and give the essential nutrients to your body. A low-glycemic diet can be good for preventing sudden spikes in the blood sugar levels. A low-glycemic diet includes fruits, vegetables, oats, whole grains, and pulses.

3. Include Vital Nutrients In Your Diet

The nutrients including protein, diindolylmethane, omega 3 fatty acids, soy isoflavones, vitamins group B like biotin, folic acid, and inositol play an important role in curing the symptoms of PCOS. The protein-rich foods like milk products, legumes, fish, and eggs seem effective in relieving its symptoms as well as preventing recurrences. Diindolylmethane or DIM can help reduce the testosterone levels in the body. You can find it in cruciferous vegetables. A great source of omega 3 fatty acids can be found in some foods like halibut, soy, salmon, almonds, fish oil. They can be useful for lowering the androgen levels, at the same time, improving insulin sensitivity effectively. Soy isoflavones is also a nutrient is very good for many diseases including PCOS. This substance has the same characteristics of a drug that often recommended for regulating the menstrual cycles and reducing the symptoms of this disease. It can be found in soy beans, miso, and soy nuts. So do vitamins group B and inositol. All of them can help reduce the androgen levels as well as boost the overall performance of the hormonal system since then improve hormone imbalance. In some case, they can be helpful for reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Plus, these nutrients are not only good for PCOS but also necessary for many other diseases like hair loss, depression, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hormone imbalance, infertility. You can find a great source of vitamins group B in fish, dairy products, and meats. Inositol can be found in some foods like cabbage, oats, wheat germs, nuts, and brown rice.

Read more: List of 10 foods high in sodium to avoid

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4. Consume Good Fats

This is one of the good home remedies for PCOS. The good fats play an important role in producing and balancing hormones in your body. You can find it in some natural sources like coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil. These oils are very good for your body, especially for your heart benefits. In addition, the women with PCOS should avoid the processed vegetable oils like vegetable oil, corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and so on.  

Learn more: 30 healthy foods high in protein – the best list to choose

5. Do Exercise Regularly

Exercise can help to maintain a healthy body. It is also useful for reducing the blood sugar levels. Doing exercise daily may be a good way to prevent and treat insulin resistance. Since then it helps treat PCOS’ symptoms effectively. In addition, it also helps to control your weight effectively.

Among the good exercises for PCOS, walking is known to be the best for the women with PCOS. Some other options can be good such as biking, skipping, swimming, running, and jogging. Some household activities like gardening, dusting, cleaning, cooking, climbing the stairs, and sweeping are also useful for treating its symptoms.

6. Manage Stress Levels

Along with home remedies for PCOS that use herbs, managing stress levels in the patients with PCOS is very important. Your adrenals can release cortisol in response to stress, and increase the androgen synthesis that can cause anovulation and menstrual cycle dysregulation. So along with using adaptogenic herbs for PCOS treatment like ginseng, licorice, and Rhodiola, women with PCOS need to deal with stress in order to improve the condition.

Read more: 37 quick natural home remedies for depression in adults

7. Mind-body Therapies

There are many mind-body therapies that are recommended as the home remedies for PCOS symptoms and seem effective. They are biofeedback, hypnosis, guided visualization, yoga, and aromatherapy for improving blood sugar and blood pressure as well as decreasing stress hormones in the body. In fact, among the mind-body therapies, yoga is one of the most popular therapies that is practiced by many people. A study in India showed that it can help improve the anxiety symptoms in the girls with PCOS.

8. Avoid Lifestyle Related To Triggers

There are many triggers that can worsen your PCOS. So you need to avoid them thoroughly. The first trigger that you have to avoid is smoking as it can make your androgen levels increase quickly, at the same time, restrict ovulation. In addition, drinking alcohol should be minimized. Alcohol is also a trigger causes sudden hunger pangs and dehydration, even it can worsen the hormonal imbalances, one of the main causes lead to PCOS.

Besides avoiding smoking and alcohol, you have to quit coffee also as caffeine in coffee can increase estrogen levels in the body. Some studies found that women can produce 70% more estrogen if they drink 4 to 5 cups of coffee per day.

9. Avoid Some Certain Foods

Some certain foods are one of the main causes that can make the symptoms of PCOS worse. An example is refined sugars and grains. So avoiding refined sugars and grains is also necessary for reducing symptoms of PCOS. These foods can cause unbalanced hormones due to depleting the body of the nutrients and causing insulin resistance.

Plus, food preservatives should be limited. They are harmful to all of us, especially for the people with PCOS. So saying goodbye to the processed foods is the easiest way to prevent your symptoms of PCOS from getting worse.

10. Water

Water is vital for the human body. It can help you get a beautiful skin, treat and prevent a lot of diseases and conditions including PCOS. Providing enough water is very necessary for flushing free radicals and other harmful organisms, the potential causes lead to hormonal imbalance out of the body. If you are suffering PCOS, you should drink at least 10 glasses of water daily to make sure of providing enough water for your body. Plus, you can add more watery vegetables and fruits in your diet. This is one of the common ways to get enough water so as to reduce the symptoms of this disease.

11. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is found to be very useful for normalizing menstrual cyclicity in women with PCOS effectively. For the women with PCOS, cinnamon sounds effective in reducing insulin resistance. Besides that, using cinnamon can help curb sudden hunger pangs. However, if you want to use this herb to combat insulin resistance, you should ask your doctor because it may contribute to reducing your blood sugar levels. And here are some effective ways that you can apply:

The first way is to mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a glass of hot water and drink it daily for a few months.

Another option is to add cinnamon powder in your diet. It can be added to many foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, cereal, oatmeal, and peanut butter sandwich.

Alternatively, you can use it in supplement form. But you need to consult your doctor. It is often recommended to take 1 capsule or 1000 mg 3 times a day.

12. Flaxseed

Flaxseed is also one of the home remedies for PCOS symptoms that you can apply easily. It can help control PCOS thanks to reducing androgen levels. Plus, it is rich in lignans that help to improve the production of sex hormone binding globulin that linked to testosterone in the blood. Besides that, it is also very rich in fiber that is good for reducing cholesterol levels and slowing down glucose metabolism. Omega – 3 fatty acids in flaxseed is very useful for reducing inflammation, blood pressure as well as the risk of chronic diseases. You can see some following ways to use:

Firstly, you can add 1 or 2 tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds in a glass of water and take it daily for a few months.

Alternatively, you can add it to your diet. It can be added in some salads, soups, or even smoothies.

13. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is also used effectively for PCOS. It can help promote glucose metabolism in the body as well as improve insulin resistance. Thereby, your hormones can be balanced. Plus, it is also a good food for lowering cholesterol, losing weight, and promoting healthy heart functioning.

With this remedy, you simply add about 3 teaspoons of this seeds in water and soak for 6 to 8 hours. Then you mix one teaspoon of the soaked seeds with honey and take it in the morning when your stomach is empty. 1 teaspoon of this seeds should be taken about 10 minutes before having lunch and 1 teaspoon before having dinner. This remedy can be applied daily for several weeks.

Another option is to add fenugreek seeds and leaves in your diet. They may be useful.

14. Holy Basil

Holy basil or called tulsi is also one of the home remedies for PCOS that you can apply easily. Using this herb can help reduce the symptoms of PCOS thanks to its anti-androgen property. In addition, it can contribute to controlling insulin levels and supporting weight loss. With its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, holy basil becomes one of the excellent stress relievers.

In order to reduce the symptoms of PCOS, you can eat from 8 to 12 holy basil leaves per day in the morning. Or use it as a tea several times a day. It is also used in supplement form. In this case, you should consult your doctor to get the proper dosage. Either of these remedies should be followed for several months to see the improvement.

15. Spearmint Tea

Spearmint has the anti-androgenic property that is helpful for dealing with PCOS. There are some studies about spearmint tea showed that drinking this tea can help reduce free and total testosterone levels as well as increasing luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels since then reduce excess body hair or called hirsutism. The way to use this herb is very simple.

You simply boil 1 cup of water in a pan and add about 1 teaspoon of dried spearmint leaves in it. Continue to simmer it more 5 to 10 minutes. Finally, you strain it before drinking. This tea should be taken twice a day for some weeks to get the good result.

16. Saw Palmetto

Another herb that is useful for PCOS is saw palmetto. It can work as an anti-androgen that can help reduce the conversion of the testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. Since then it can prevent hirsutism in women with PCOS, at the same time contribute to aiding your thinning hair grow back. It is often suggested treating PCOS as it is very helpful for correcting the hormonal imbalance. However, it is recommended to ask your doctor before taking it.

In general, you can take about 320 mg of standardized saw palmetto extract per day for some months. In case a liquid extract is available, you should take 1 teaspoon of it daily.

17. Licorice Root

Licorice root is found to be helpful for women with PCOS by reducing serum testosterone. It contains a substance called glycyrrhizin that can help inhibit an enzyme necessary for the production of testosterone. It is also used for hirsutism. In addition, licorice root is used for promoting ovulation as well as supporting liver detoxification to help balance hormone. However, the people with liver, heart or kidney disease and high blood pressure should be careful when using licorice root. You can use this herb as follow:

You bring a cup of water to a boil and add about 1 teaspoon of dried licorice root in it. Continue to simmer for about 10 minutes. You can drink it after straining. Take it 2 or 3 times a day for a few weeks.

Another option is to use it in supplement form. In this case, you should ask your doctor to find out the proper dosage.

18. Chasteberry

Chasteberry is considered as one of the home remedies for PCOS symptoms. It is often used for relieving its symptoms as well as treating infertility caused by a hormonal imbalance. It is also able to aid hormonal balance thanks to its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Some people even use it to cure menstrual problems. There are some ways to use it:

Firstly, it can be used as an herbal tea. You can boil a cup of water and then place about 1 teaspoon of dried or fresh chasteberries. Wait for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink it daily until you satisfied with the result. It may take some weeks or months.

Another way is to use it in supplement form. You can ask your doctor to know proper dosage and suitability.

19. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is known to be beneficial for controlling PCOS by controlling blood sugar and the production of insulin as well. In addition, it also contributes to losing your weight and improving your overall health.

You can use apple cider vinegar by adding 2 teaspoons of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drinking it daily in the morning when your stomach is empty. This remedy can be done for several weeks. You can increase gradually the amount of apple cider vinegar to 2 tablespoons of this vinegar per glass and 2 or 3 times per day. In case, its taste is too strong, you can drink it with some fruit juice like orange juice.

20. Fish Oil

Fish oil has a lot of benefits for the human health including PCOS. It is known to be very rich in omega 3 fatty acids that are useful for reducing androgen as well as improving insulin sensitivity.

A study showed that omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil can help balance androgen levels and since then improve the symptoms of this condition. It is found to help fight against chronic diseases, lose weight, and decrease inflammation. The dosage for fish oil supplements is not standardized. You can take from 1 to 3 capsules and 2 or 3 times a day to improve the condition. Or you can ask your doctor to get a proper dosage.

21. Cod Liver Oil

Like fish oil, cod liver oil is also considered as one of the home remedies for PCOS symptoms. It is very rich in omega 3 EFA’s, one of the vital substances for balancing hormones as well as creating a healthy environment for conception. Besides that, it is very good for losing weight. It is also found that omega 3 EFA’s in cod liver oil can support hormonal regulation and reduce inflammation effectively. You can ask your doctor to get the proper advice before taking it.

22. Castor Oil

The other oil that is good for treating PCOS is castor oil. It is very rich in unsaturated fatty acids that can help keep your ovaries healthy at the same time, dissolve the cysts in your ovaries.

You can apply this way by use a castor oil pack to place on the lower abdomen. This action can bring a lot of benefits, for example, increasing the blood and lymphatic circulation, promoting the healing and repairing the mechanism of the organs in that area, eliminating inflammation and toxins. However, this remedy is not recommended during pregnancy or menstruation.

23. Bitter Gourd And Ivy Gourd

Bitter gourd and ivy gourd are often recommended for the diabetics owing to controlling the insulin and glucose levels effectively. Women with PCOS can consume their leaves and vegetables to improve the symptoms of this condition. In order to get the good result, you should take it at least 5 times a week. They can be cooked or consumed as a juice.

24. Amla

Amla is an Indian gooseberry that is very effective in improving fertility in women as well as controlling blood sugar levels. It is known to be very rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that are necessary for flushing the toxins out of the body and thus, help lose weight effectively.

It can be used as a juice by squeezing out the amla juice in a glass and adding warm water into it. Stir well and drink.

Another option of this fruit is to add it in a cup of yogurt to make raita and enjoy. Or eating it raw without its seeds is acceptable

25. Maca

One of the home remedies for PCOS symptoms is maca. This is an Andean root known to be very good for women health. It can help encourage a healthy menstrual cycle thanks to balancing estrogen and progesterone in the body effectively. Although it helps balance the hormones in women, it does not have any hormones itself. Maca can do it by nourishing the endocrine system. It is also able to work as an incredible fertility superfood and adaptogen. This is also a great herb for menopausal symptoms.

This root can be used in the form of powder or tablet. However, it is better if you use its powder as you can control the amount of its intake easily. It is recommended to take from 6 to 9 grams daily for a month for a shock treatment and 3 grams (or 1 teaspoon) of this powder daily for the maintenance dose.

Another option is to add maca root powder to your meals or smoothies.

26. Alfalfa

Alfalfa has a phytoestrogen called coumestrol that is able to mimic the estrogen in the human body. As we know, ovarian cysts occur because of estrogen imbalance in the body. That is why alfalfa is considered to be useful for treating ovary cancer and ovarian cysts. This plant is also a great source of vitamins like A, D, E, and K, and minerals that are very good for human body. In addition, it also contains anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that are necessary for treating many diseases including PCOS.

27. Tribulus

Tribulus is also one of the good herbs used for improving PCOS symptoms. It can help encourage regular ovulation in infertile women and seem effective. Besides that, this is a great herb that is helpful for improving the timing of the entire menstrual cycle as well menstrual irregularities. It is considered as one of the nourishing tonics for the female reproductive system that is often used in tradition medicine.

28. Combination Of White Peony And Licorice Root

Many studies showed that the combination of white peony and licorice root sounds more effective in lowering serum and free testosterone levels in women with PCOS, reducing painful menstruation, relaxing muscles. In addition, it is very useful for regulating hormones such as prolactin and estrogen as well as improving LH to FSH ratio.

29. Siberian Ginseng

This is also one of the popular home remedies for PCOS symptoms that we want to share with you. It is useful for women with PCOS thanks to its ability to balance the hormones systems as well as relieve the symptoms of this condition. Moreover, it is also found to boost adrenal stress response.

30. Paeonia Lactiflora

Among the herbs useful for PCOS, Paeonia lactiflora is considered to be effective in treating this condition owing to its ability to reduce androgen production in women. Using Paeonia lactiflora can lead to the balance in the production of prolactin and estrogen in women with PCOS. It can be found easily in a local drug store. And you should ask your doctor to get the best advice before taking it.

31. Natural Progesterone Cream

Women with PCOS also use natural progesterone cream to fight against estrogen dominance, one of the common conditions in women with PCOS. Using this progesterone cream help your body to establish its own ovulation cycle owing to its ability to mimic a natural cycle. The expert also believes that PCOS can be improved if you use this cream, change to a PCOS specific diet, and do exercise regularly.

32. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is known to be beneficial for rebalancing hormone levels in the body. This therapy is applied popularly in traditional medicine, especially in China. Some acupuncture points often seem effective in breaking up stagnation, relieving the pain, and restoring the energy flow in the body.

The above are 32 natural home remedies for PCOS that we want to share with you. However, when you want to use these herbs to treat PCOS, you should ask a licensed naturopathic physician first to get the best advice because most of these herbs help reduce testosterone levels that may cause the increase of estrogen levels. It is due to the conversion of androgens into estrogens. And finally, if you have any question or idea related to this topic, you can leave your comment. We will reply for you as soon as possible. You can visit our website to see more information. They may be useful for you.