What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women. The clinical manifestation of PCOS changes from a mild menstrual disease to severe disruption of reproductive and metabolic capabilities. The management of women with PCOS depends on the symptoms. These could be ovulatory dysfunction-related infertility, menstrual disorders, or androgen-related symptoms. Weight reduction improves the endocrine profile and increases the probability of pregnancy and childbirth. Normalization of menstrual cycles and ovulation could occur with small weight loss of no more than 5% of the initial weight. The treatment of obesity includes modifications in lifestyle (diet and exercise) and medical and surgical therapy.
There are androgenic symptoms that will differ from patient to patient, such as hirsutism, acne, or alopecia. These are troublesome presentations to the patients and need adequate therapy. Alternative medicine has been emerging as one of the commonly practiced medications for different health problems, including PCOS.
See: Acupuncture & TCM Herbs For Menstrual Cramps & Pain
Aromatherapy treatment for PCOS
Changing your diet and lifestyle are leading recommendations from experts for healing PCOS. But Alternative medicine has been emerging as one of the commonly practiced medications for different health issues. Alternative medicines consist of many formulations, such as kinesiology, herbalism, homeopathy, reflexology, acupressure, acupuncture, and massage therapy. Acupuncture is the most common modality. The benefit acupuncture appears to have for PCOS sufferers is in helping them regulate and manage their own periods. But, it has also been shown to assist in weight loss and reducing headaches in addition to improving patients’ moods and outlooks. Women with PCOS will have needles positioned along the acupuncture meridians about the reproductive system. This can help stimulate the organs, improve blood circulation to the region, contribute to normalizing hormone levels, and encourage the proper functioning of the reproductive system.[1]
An alternative medicine approach, aromatherapy uses essential oils to enhance health and well-being. You’ll find many different natural cures from the plant world, and using essential oils for PCOS are one such example. Unlike dried leaf, stem or fruit of crops (which are essentially herbs), essential oils are the potent oils from the plant. These oils are extracted via a special distillation process so that each drop becomes a powerful natural medicine.
Scientific proof for essential oils in humans is mixed on a handful of studies that have been done. However, used properly, some essential oils taken with expert advice and supervision can alleviate many symptoms that accompany many with PCOS.
Some essential oils For PCOS increase the limbic system to assist reset hormones and discharge built-up stress — both physical and psychological. Some oils enhance insulin sensitivity and others might ease other discomforting PCOS symptoms. There are essential oils that can also do wonders for acne, hirsutism, fatigue and gut issues. And unlike allopathic medications, essential oils accomplish all of this with little side effects.
Additionally, PCOS makes women vulnerable to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Since PCOS is characterized by a rather large collection of symptoms, there are some essential oils for PCOS you can use to manage your particular symptoms. It is best to consult an Aromatherapist practitioner to be aware of the safe dosage and method of application of essential oils for PCOS.
Essential oils are very concentrated. For example, it takes about 220 pounds of lavender blossoms to create approximately 1 pound of essential oil. The aroma of essential oils fades away quickly when left open to the atmosphere.
See: Natural Home Remedies For PCOS
Aromatherapy is used in a number of ways.
– Indirect inhalation: The individual breathes in a vital oil with a room diffuser, which spreads the important oil through the atmosphere, or by putting drops onto a tissue or piece of cotton nearby.
– Direct inhalation: The individual breathes in a vital oil by utilizing a single inhaler produced by drifting essential oil drops along with hot water.
– Massage: In aromatherapy massage, one or more essential oils are diluted to a carrier oil and massaged into the skin.
Essential oils may also be blended with bath salts and lotions or employed to bandages.
What essential oils are best for PCOS?
There are some essential oils used to treat certain conditions. However, the kinds of essential oils used and the ways they’re combined vary, based on the expertise and training of the aromatherapist. Stress, anxiety, and depression, mood swings are common symptoms in PCOS patients. Different types of essential oils have been tested for this:
– Lavender: (Lavandula officinalis). A popular aromatherapy oil that blends well with most essential oils, lavender has a wide assortment of cosmetic and medicinal applications, including treatment of respiratory infections, gastrointestinal distress, nausea, nausea, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. There’s some evidence that it helps people get to sleep, helps reduce stress in a dental living room, and helps decrease agitation in patients with dementia. Research has confirmed the effect of aromatherapy using lavender essential oil on the stress response in the menstrual periods. Rubbing a few drops of lavender essential oil may bring relief from PMS symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, pain and menstrual cramps, common signs in PCOS. If you suffer from sleep disturbances, placing a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow can also help you keep calm and promote sound sleep.
– Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Stimulating essential oil used as a treatment for muscular and rheumatic complaints. A fair amount of evidence supports the ability of increased oil to decrease anxiety especially if used in conjunction with other remedies (e.g. in a massage oil).
– Thyme: Thyme can help balance progesterone levels in the body. According to a research study, it comprises high phytoprogestins (or plant-based progesterone) which may help with insomnia, weight gain, mood swings, and hot flashes. If you are struggling with low levels of progesterone that’s interfering with regular ovulation, you may consider thyme essential oil.
See: PCOS Supplements To Heal Symptoms
– Clary Sage: can help enhance estrogen dominance, reduce cortisol levels and may also help with PMS cramping and mood swings. Its soothing properties assist with stress relief and may especially be valuable for hormonal mood disorders. A Korean research study in 2014 found that inhaling Clary Sage oil increased thyroid hormone levels and helped lower cortisol levels with 36 percent in menopausal women.
– Germanium: The scent of germanium stimulates the adrenal gland, which assists in balancing hormones. The oil works as a natural anti-depressant and will help alleviate anxiety. Studies have found that inhaling Germanium essential oil can reduce stress by 18%. Additionally, it is touted as a natural uterine and ovarian tonic in traditional folk medicine.
– Sandalwood may be valuable for women coping with acne, hirsutism and male pattern hair loss.
Scientific studies in Aromatherapy for PCOS
Scientific studies listed in the reference section point to benefits for using essential oils for managing PCOS symptoms. But critics point to a lack of larger sample sizes and better study methodologies.
On the other hand, a Cochrane review found that aromatherapy massage shows some short-term benefits for emotional health in patients, but it is not clear whether the aromatherapy (with any combination of oils) provides any additional benefits above and beyond the massage.
In a 2018 study examining the benefits of herbal extracts for PCOS, researchers concluded that according to the
evidence to date, herbal extracts comprising phytoestrogens cause a decline in
hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and ovary weight in addition to growth in
childbirth. Thus, these plants can be partially effective in this syndrome
by affecting the serum levels of different hormones and ovarian weight and
morphology, representing a chance to research and discover new products that
are new.[15]
