Natural PCOS Treatment In Toronto & Ontario

Yes. You can have polycystic ovaries without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Yes, classical PCOS (as defined by the “Rotterdam Criteria”) is linked to infertility. One of the criteria for diagnosing PCOS is anovulation, or lack of regular ovulation, which is essential for conception.

If you answer yes to the following questions, you may be experiencing anovulation:

1. Do you ovulate regularly?
2. Does your cycle fluctuate (ie. one month it’s 25 days, next month it’s 38 days)?
3. Is the timing of your menstrual cycle simply hard to predict?

PCOS has many different shades of grey, so fertility challenges — and treatment — will vary from one person to the next.

PCOS often brings high levels of luteinizing hormone and reduced levels of follicle-stimulating hormone — both are essential for ovarian function and ovulation. As well, there is unusually an overproduction of male hormones (testosterone) and an underproduction of female hormones (estrogen), which creates cysts on the ovaries. Together, these hormonal imbalances cause irregular menstrual cycles, with makes conception challenging.

One of the things that we know about PCOS is that hormonal imbalances can impact egg quality. The first thing that you will identify with your Conceive Health naturopathic doctor, is the specific type of PCOS and the underlying issues — which may be inflammation, anovulation, insulin resistance, nutrition deficiencies/excesses and others.

It really depends on the severity of the case. If you haven’t had a period for 3-4 months, then it may take just a couple of months to achieve ovulation. If you haven’t menstruated since you were in your teens, it may take longer.

To improve your chances of getting — and staying — pregnant, you should allow ample time to focus on preconception, prior to any fertility treatment. If you skip right to the fertility treatment, you risk recruiting immature or poor quality eggs during In vitro fertilization (IVF) or Intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Sometimes. Your fertility team may use medications to encourage your body to ovulate on its own (ie. Clomid or Letrozole). Diet and exercise are essential — particularly for conditions related to insulin resistance, such as PCOS. Meanwhile, certain supplements, such as myo-inositol, may be added to your treatment plan to improve your egg quality. Speak directly with your fertility team to determine the best plan for your specific medical history, needs and goals.

As a starting point, a diet with a higher protein, moderate fat, and lower starchy carbs will help to control insulin and glucose levels. We also look at nutrient balances to ensure there are no deficiencies or excesses. Common nutrient imbalances may include: high beta carotene, low or high iron levels, low B12, low vitamin D. Lastly herbs are often used depending on the hormones that may need to be regulated. We recommend working with a naturopath with an expertise in fertility and hormonal balance, such as the team at Conceive Health.

Yes. Acupuncture can help manage certain symptoms of PCOS (sleep disturbance, weight gain, stress reduction). For best results, acupuncture is combined with herbs in a holistic program that looks at all facets of PCOS, rather than as a stand-alone treatment.