Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS.

DR John Lee:

“I recommend supplementation of normal physiological doses of progesterone to treat PCOS. If progesterone levels rise each month during the luteal phase of the cycle, as they are supposed to do, this maintains the normal synchronal pattern each month, and PCOS, rarely, if ever, occurs. Natural progesterone should be the basis of PCOS treatment, along with attention to stress, exercise and diet.

If you have PCOS

Use 15 to 20 mg of progesterone cream daily from day 14 to day 28 of your cycle - adjust accordingly. The disappearance of facial hair and acne are usually obvious signs that hormones are becoming balanced, but to see these results, you’ll need to give treatment at least 6 months, along with proper diet and exercise. If your symptoms fade, try gradually easing off the progesterone (for example, take half the dose) and see how it goes. If your symptoms return, stay on the full dose for another six months. Ideally, as a young woman you would use the progesterone cream only during the months you need it, and encourage your body to return to its normal hormonal rhythms as much as possible.

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The Diet and PCOS

By far the biggest lifestyle contributor to polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is poor diet. Young women with PCOS tend to eat far too much sugar and highly refined carbohydrates. These foods cause an unhealthy rise in insulin levels. According to Jerilyn Prior, M.D., insulin stimulates androgen receptors on the outside of the ovary, causing the typical PCOS symptoms of excess hair (on the face, arms and legs), thin hair (on the head), and acne. Eventually this type of diet will cause obesity, which will cause insulin resistance (the inability of the cells to make insulin) which will aggravate the PCOS even more. The androgens also play a role in blocking the release of the egg from the follicle.