#12 Ayurveda vs. Western Medicine: PCOS from Two Perspectives
Exploring Different Approaches to Managing PCOS
First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉 Honestly, I haven’t felt much of a difference yet. This year, I decided not to do any planning at all. After such intense months, what I really wanted for once was to just not plan a single thing. And you know what? Abso-fu**ing-lutely the best idea ever. 😌
That said, I do have some plans brewing for this year around Emazed, but I’m keeping them under wraps for now. Don’t worry, I’ll share everything once I’m ready—it’s going to be worth the wait! ✨
Now… let’s start our today’s topic!
✨Polycystic ovary syndrome ✨(PCOS)— it’s a bit of a mouthful, isn’t it? If you’re one of the many women dealing with this condition, you’re not alone—I’m right here with you. PCOS is super common, affecting somewhere between 6% and 20% of women of childbearing age, but here’s the thing—it’s still a bit of a mystery.
At its core, PCOS is about hormones going a little haywire. Specifically, it’s tied to higher levels of testosterone and problems with ovulation. The symptoms can be a mixed bag—not everyone has them all —but they can include things like excess hair growth, acne, irregular periods, fertility issues, and ovarian cysts🫢. Plus, PCOS can raise the risk of more serious stuff like diabetes, heart disease, and even endometrial cancer.
But… the way PCOS is managed can look totally different depending on the approach. Western medicine has its way, and then there’s Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, which takes a completely different perspective.
So today, let’s dig into both.
We’ll break down what’s happening in the body and see what each approach has to offer.
More precisely, today we’re going to dive into:
🧬 What’s really going on in the body when it comes to PCOS.
💊 How Western medicine tackles it—think medications, hormones, and science-backed strategies.
🌿 And how Ayurveda takes a whole different approach, focusing on balance, diet, and natural remedies.
So, welcome back to Emazed!
Sit back, relax, and let’s dive in!
So, what is PCOS really?
PCOS is a hormonal rollercoaster—one you didn’t sign up for. No fun. It’s not just irregular periods or a few extra hairs popping up in annoying places (though that’s part of it). PCOS involves some deeper issues going on in the body. Women with this condition deal with a lot of oxidative stress, which just means their bodies have too many harmful molecules floating around. These can mess with DNA and affect egg quality.
On top of that, a big part of PCOS is insulin resistance, which means the body struggles to handle sugar properly, and this can eventually lead to diabetes. And to make matters worse, up to 90% of women with PCOS also have a higher BMI, which can make insulin resistance even worse.
It’s a tough cycle.
Western Medicine’s Approach to PCOS
When it comes to PCOS, Western medicine sees it as an endocrine and metabolic disorder that affects the whole body.
The main issues? Hormonal imbalances, problems with ovulation, and insulin resistance.
What’s Happening Biochemically?
Hormonal Chaos - The hormones that control your cycles go out of balance. There’s too much luteinizing hormone (LH) and androgens (aka male hormones), which messes with how your ovaries work. This is why ovulation doesn’t happen regularly, our hormones are out of balance and it makes it harder to get pregnant.
Insulin Resistance - Your body struggles to use insulin the way it should, which leads to higher insulin levels. Unfortunately, this can trigger your ovaries to make even more androgens, causing symptoms like acne and unwanted hair growth.
Low-Grade Inflammation - On top of it all, women with PCOS often have higher levels of inflammation markers, like CRP (C-reactive protein), which might contribute to the condition.
How Is PCOS Diagnosed?
Doctors typically use the Rotterdam criteria to diagnose PCOS. That means you need to have at least two of these three:
Irregular or no ovulation (you can notice unpredictable periods).
Elevated androgens (either on a lab test or based on symptoms like acne or hair growth in atypical places).
Polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound.
What Does Treatment Look Like?
Western medicine focuses on managing symptoms and reducing long-term risks rather than “curing” PCOS. Here’s how:
Lifestyle Changes - The first step is usually improving diet and exercise habits to help with weight and insulin resistance.
Medications:
Birth control pills to regulate periods and lower androgen levels.
Anti-androgens like spironolactone to help with hair and acne issues.
Metformin to make the body more sensitive to insulin.
Fertility Help - For women trying to conceive, doctors might prescribe ovulation-inducing medications like clomiphene or letrozole.
Surgery (Rarely) - In some cases, a procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling can help restore ovulation.
Western medicine is great at tackling symptoms and offering solutions to make life with PCOS more manageable, but it often treats the condition as something that’s here to stay rather than something you can fully cure…
Ayurveda’s Perspective on PCOS
Ayurveda, rooted in ancient Indian wisdom, takes a holistic approach, viewing PCOS as an imbalance in the body’s doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). According to Ayurveda, PCOS primarily arises from Kapha dosha imbalance, leading to the accumulation of toxins (Ama) and disruption of natural bodily rhythms.
Insights:
Toxin Accumulation (Ama) - Ayurveda posits that poor digestion and lifestyle choices lead to the buildup of Ama, which disrupts hormonal balance and metabolic pathways.
Kapha Imbalance - Excess Kapha manifests as sluggish metabolism, weight gain, and cyst formation in the ovaries.
Stress and Vata Imbalance - Chronic stress exacerbates Vata dosha, contributing to irregular cycles and hormonal fluctuations.
Diagnosis
Ayurvedic practitioners assess PCOS by analyzing physical symptoms, pulse diagnosis, and evaluating the patient’s overall constitution (Prakriti). Unlike Western medicine, Ayurveda emphasizes understanding the root cause of the imbalance rather than just the symptoms.
Treatment
Ayurvedic treatment focuses on restoring balance through natural means:
Herbal Remedies:
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): Supports ovarian function and hormonal balance.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Reduces stress and cortisol levels, improving overall endocrine health.
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): Enhances insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation.
Detoxification (Panchakarma) - Specialized cleansing therapies like Vamana (emesis) and Virechana (purgation) are recommended to remove toxins and rejuvenate the reproductive system.
Dietary Adjustments - A Kapha-pacifying diet rich in whole grains, leafy greens, and warming spices like turmeric and cinnamon is suggested. Sugary, processed, and cold foods are avoided to reduce Ama.
Lifestyle Practices - Yoga and pranayama (breathing exercises) are integral to managing stress and improving overall well-being. Specific asanas like Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) and Dhanurasana (Bow pose) enhance ovarian function.
Ayurveda aims for long-term correction by addressing the root cause of PCOS, with the ultimate goal of restoring harmony within the body.
Bridging the Gap
Both systems have their strengths, and when you bring them together, it’s like getting the best of both worlds. Here’s how they can complement each other:
Western medicine’s diagnostic tools help you understand exactly what’s going on in your body.
Ayurveda, on the other hand, focuses on things like herbs, diet, and lifestyle. Plus, working with an Ayurvedic doctor can help you make personalized changes to improve your long-term health.
So, by combining a solid diagnosis from Western medicine with Ayurvedic practices, you can really optimize your health from all angles.
** I can share a personal story to show how this can work. I’ve been dealing with a PCOS-comeback for the last 4 months due to a lot of stress in my life. While I was in India, I visited an Ayurvedic doctor recommended by my yoga teacher and others. Dr. Rohit did pulse diagnosis, suggested I get a hospital diagnosis, and prescribed herbal treatments. After just three weeks of following his advice, I got my period back! Now, I’m two months into the therapy, and my cycle has come exactly as planned. I’m feeling so much better, more connected with my body, and in tune with my cycle. For women, our cycle is a big indicator of our health, so this has been a really positive sign.
Combining Western diagnostics with Ayurvedic herbs and lifestyle changes has truly helped me make progress, and I feel like I’m finally healing and finding balance again.
PCOS is a complex condition requiring a nuanced approach. It’s one of those conditions that needs a little more than just a quick fix. Western medicine is great at helping with symptoms fast and figuring out what’s going on, but Ayurveda brings in that long-term balance and wellness.
For women with PCOS, it’s about understanding both sides and finding what works best for us and our lifestyle. When you mix the strengths of both, you’re setting yourself up for not just physical health, but also feeling good mentally and emotionally!
Thank you for reading.
Until next time, take care and stay Emazed!
xx
E
Hey there! Your thoughts and feedback mean the world to me as I'm always looking to improve. If you could spare a moment to drop a comment below or write me at emazedbye@gmail.com, I'd be super grateful. It could be about this topic, suggestions for future chats, or just your general musings. Truly, your input is priceless!
Resources and Further Reading
Azziz, R., et al. (2009). "The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society criteria for the polycystic ovary syndrome: the complete task force report." Fertility and Sterility.
Legro, R. S., et al. (2013). "Diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline." The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Mishra, J., & Singh, B. B. (2004). "Scientific basis for Ayurvedic therapies." CRC Press.
Sharma, R. K., & Dash, B. (2017). "Charaka Samhita: Text with English Translation and Critical Exposition Based on Cakrapani Datta’s Ayurveda Dipika." Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series.
Kumar, P., et al. (2018). "Role of Ayurvedic Panchakarma in managing PCOS: A systematic review." Ayurveda Journal of Health.
**The information provided in this document is based on personal opinion and should not be considered professional medical advice. For any health concerns or medical issues, please consult a licensed healthcare provider or your doctor. Always seek professional guidance for any diagnosis, treatment, or health-related decisions.