Promising New Supplements Combat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

There are 5 million women in the United States living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). These women are often told there is no cure and that they can only attempt to manage the symptoms and work to prevent further damage. This life-long battle is emotionally fraught and undeniably frustrating: infertility, excess facial hair, severe adult acne, weight gain, sleep apnea, depression and premature balding are all common, and each comes with its own emotional burden.

When combined, these health issues often leave women feeling as if they have no control over their bodies, and the trial-and-error method of treatment that can go on for years just furthers feelings of helplessness. Because PCOS affects hormone production and movement, there’s no sure-fire treatment plan; oftentimes, the drug combination and lifestyle adjustments that work for one woman only worsen the symptoms of another. In order to come up with new ways to customize treatment plans, doctors, dieticians and nutritionists are looking to scientifically-backed supplements as an addition to traditional medical options.

Compound Supplement Formulas

Over the last two decades, several vitamins, minerals, herbs and extracts have undergone rigorous testing to see if and how they can aid women living with PCOS. Based on this research as well as her own experiences in the field, registered dietician and nutritionist Debra Waldoks has come up with supplement formula that can help mend the hormone imbalance caused by PCOS, improve period regularity, reduce the effects of the syndrome on current and future fertility, and counter the physical manifestations, including weight gain, excess facial hair and adult acne. The formula includes various ingredients that help make living with PCOS easier and aid in maintaining overall health. Waldoks decided to focus on the most promising products, turning to Inositol, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, milk thistle, Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin D3.

The Science Behind the Ingredients

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that inositol lowers testosterone levels while promoting ovulation. Preliminary research into N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, the most recent published in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, found that it can help to improve insulin circulation, minimizing the weight gain commonly associated with PCOS as well as making it easier for women with PCOS to lose weight. A large study overview reported in Research in Complementary Medicine found that milk thistle protects the liver from damage potentially linked to PCOS. Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, has been linked to an improvement in egg quality, and vitamin D3 is resoundingly regarded as one of the primary essential vitamins that aids in the absorption of other vitamins and minerals.

The Conclusion

Discussing science-backed supplements such as Waldok’s and other lifestyle changes with doctors, even if it’s determined that certain ideas aren’t the best option, opens up lines of communication and makes many women feel as if they’re working with their doctors to manage the condition rather than simply following orders. In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all way to treat and manage PCOS, but taking a proactive approach to living with the syndrome goes a long way towards making women feel as if their bodies are theirs again.