Statistically, women’s most common endocrine condition is polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS (1). It can negatively impact both your physical and mental well-being with a plethora of symptoms that it can throw your way. Luckily, there are home remedies for polycystic ovaries that can help you to manage this condition while you wait for medical treatment or if you want to handle things naturally. You can alternatively use some home remedies with prescribed treatments to get the best of both worlds.
In this post, we’ll go over the syndrome, its causes, and symptoms, as well as some home treatments and preventative actions you can take. Continue reading to know more.
Quick Tips For Fighting PCOS
- Increase your intake of magnesium.
- Cut down on inflammatory foods.
- Consume vitamin B supplements.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get enough sleep.
Read them in detail in the precautionary measures section.
In This Article
What Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
As women age, various genetic and hormonal disorders affect their lives and health. One such hormonal imbalance related disorder that affects women is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
In this syndrome, fluid-filled cysts fill the ovary due to an imbalance of the reproductive hormones. The ovaries get enlarged and stop functioning normally (1), (2).
What Is The Cause Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
In PCOS, the medical emphasis is on imbalanced sex hormones and insulin resistance (3). The hormonal imbalance in PCOS happens due to not enough progesterone and too much estrogen, leading to estrogen dominance. Ongoing cycles of too much estrogen cause ovulation to fail, resulting in increasingly higher levels of estrogen and insufficient progesterone (but higher than testosterone).
Two factors that can throw hormones off balance are yeast overgrowth and magnesium deficiency. Yeast can overgrow in the intestines under the influence of antibiotics, steroids, and sugar. Yeast toxins are released that can be picked up by the bloodstream and block the hormone receptor sites. Magnesium deficiency can cause or contribute to high blood sugar and insulin resistance, thyroid and adrenal imbalance, fertility issues, pelvic pain, weight gain, elevated blood pressure.
In the next section, we have listed the home remedies for PCOS. Although these remedies may help ease the symptoms of PCOS, we suggest you consult your healthcare provider for professional medical help to treat the symptoms.
Home Remedies For PCOS
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Turmeric
- Evening Primrose Oil
- Green Tea
- Royal Jelly
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Amla Juice
- Palm Jaggery
- Jeera Water
- Seeds
- Saw Palmetto
- Cinnamon And Honey
- Licorice Root
- Chasteberry
1. Vitamins
Vitamin D is essential for optimum reproductive system functioning in women. It plays key roles in various ovarian processes and also affects glucose homeostasis. About 65-85% of women with PCOS have vitamin D deficiency.
Supplementation with vitamin D (magnesium and calcium) can regulate the metabolic and reproductive processes and help re-establish menstrual regularity and ovulation (4). Get tested for vitamin D levels in your body and start the supplements immediately if your serum levels of this vitamin are low.
Dosage: Vitamin D3 1,000-2,000 IU per day.
*Our medical reviewer recommends Vitamin D3 10,000 IU each day, along with Vitamin K2 100 mcg each day. Please consult with your medical care provider before starting any vitamin regimen.
Stylecraze SaysInstead of supplements, up your intake of foods rich in vitamin D. Consume salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, red meat, liver, egg yolks, and fortified breakfast cereals.
2. Minerals
Magnesium is important for blood sugar control and to overcome insulin resistance (5). But don’t take too much calcium, which can neutralize the effects of magnesium.
Dosage: Magnesium 600 mg per day. Calcium 600 mg per day – but you can often get all your calcium in your diet, especially if you consume dairy (6).
Related: Easy Ways To Lower Blood Sugar Naturally And SafelyStylecraze SaysYou can get calcium and magnesium from your diet. The best food sources are dairy products, curly kale, okra, and sardines. For magnesium, consume nuts, spinach, and wholemeal bread.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
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ACV exerts an anti glycemic effect when ingested regularly. The insulin levels in the body are regulated, and this can help control the symptoms of PCOS (7), (8).
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
- A glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
Mix the vinegar in water and drink the solution.
How Often You Should Do This
Have this first thing in the morning. You can slowly increase the frequency to 2-3 times daily (before meals).
4. Coconut Oil
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Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids and antioxidants that help regulate blood sugar levels and insulin secretion. It also promotes cardiovascular health by reducing levels of bad cholesterol in the blood (9).
You Will Need
1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do
Consume coconut oil as it is or add it to smoothies.
How Often You Should Do This
Ingest coconut oil every day, preferably before breakfast.
5. Turmeric
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Turmeric contains an active component called curcumin. This compound helped improve insulin sensitivity and acted as an anti-inflammatory agent in rat studies (10). Therefore, it may help manage the symptoms of PCOS.
You Will Need
- 1 ½ cups of coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
What You Have To Do
- Warm the coconut milk for 5 minutes and keep it aside to cool down.
- Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to the milk and stir well.
- Drink the solution
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this solution 2 times daily
Caution: Turmeric can cause nausea, indigestion, or diarrhea. Do not take it with diabetes medications or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have GERD.
Related: 18 Health Benefits Of Turmeric, How To Use It, & Side Effects
6. Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose is useful for PCOS as it helps decrease the high cholesterol levels in the body (11). It helps in improving metabolic function. It also helps improve insulin resistance among vitamin-D deficient women with PCOS (12).
You Will Need
Evening primrose capsules
What You Have To Do
Take one tablet daily.
How Often You Should Do This
This remedy works best if you start taking the supplement on day one of your cycle and continue until ovulation.
Note: Consult your healthcare provider before taking these supplements.
7. Green Tea
The potent antioxidants present in green tea, called catechins, can help reduce the levels of the hormones that cause ovarian cysts and related symptoms. They also help control insulin levels. Drinking green tea every day may also impact the weight gain that is commonly seen in PCOS and helps you to shed this excessive weight (13), (14).
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of green tea powder or 1 green tea bag
- A cup of hot water
- 1 teaspoon of honey
What You Have To Do
- Brew fresh green tea by steeping the herb in hot water for 4-5 minutes.
- Strain, add honey, and mix well.
- Drink the tea while it is warm.
How Often You Should Do This
Have 2-3 cups of green tea daily.
8. Royal Jelly
Royal jelly contains a rich concentration of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Experiments have shown that royal jelly exhibits estrogenic effects and helps regulate the abnormalities in the menstrual cycle. Using this herbal supplement can facilitate the optimum function of your ovaries (15).
You Will Need
1-2 teaspoon of royal jelly
What You Have To Do
Take this honey-like liquid either on its own or mixed in with your breakfast.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this daily.
9. Aloe Vera Juice
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Aloe vera’s constituents have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels, leading to restoring the ovarian steroid status in rat studies (16). This positively impacts ovarian function and helps relieve PCOS symptoms.
You Will Need
A glass of aloe vera juice
What You Have To Do
Drink this in the morning before breakfast.
How Often You Should Do This
Have this juice daily.
10. Amla Juice
Amla is a wonderful detoxifying and cholesterol-reducing agent. It exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (17). Hence, it can help restore the hormonal balance in the body and ease the symptoms of PCOS.
You Will Need
- 1/2 cup of amla juice
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
Dilute the amla juice with water and drink it.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once every day.
Related: 31 Amazing Benefits Of Amla Juice For Skin, Hair, And Health
11. Palm Jaggery
Palm jaggery or palm sugar is considered a healthier option than regular white sugar because of its ability to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels. It also possesses a low glycemic index and boosts energy levels (18). Higher levels of insulin are common in PCOS patients, and this unrefined type of jaggery (or sugar) can significantly impact your health when included in your diet.
12. Jeera Water
Jeera or cumin reduces blood sugar levels and can aid weight loss (19). These properties can help treat the symptoms of PCOS.
You Will Need
- 1/2 teaspoon of jeera powder (cumin seed powder)
- A cup of warm water
What You Have To Do
Mix the jeera powder in the water and drink it.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice daily.
13. Seeds
(a) Kalonji Seeds
Kalonji seeds possess a plethora of beneficial properties. It contains thymoquinonei XA naturally occurring compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, and cytotoxic properties. that can help relieve PCOS symptoms (20).
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of kalonji oil (black seed oil)
- 1 teaspoon of honey
What You Have To Do
Mix the two ingredients and have the mixture in the morning.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every morning as soon as you wake up.
(b) Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are rich sources of dietary fiber, healthy fats, protein, and minerals. They also contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that can help reduce the risk of heart disease and control cholesterol and blood pressure levels (21). Add them to your smoothie, muffins, or yogurt and have them every day.
(c) Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek is a potent remedy to reduce the effects of PCOS. Fenugreek extracts were found to reduce cyst size and facilitate the resumption of normal menstrual cycles in women with PCOS (22).
You Will Need
- 3 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds
- 1/2 cup of water
- Honey
What You Have To Do
- Soak the fenugreek overnight or for a minimum of 6-8 hours.
- Take a teaspoon of the soaked seeds with some honey and ingest it.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every day in the morning and 5-10 minutes before lunch and dinner.
(d) Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds contain nutrients beneficial for women with PCOS. Sesame seeds were found to be helpful in treating oligomenorrhea, a condition characterized by infrequent menstrual flow (23). Oligomenorrhea is often associated with PCOS.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of black sesame seeds
- A glass of water
- Jaggery
What You Have To Do
- Boil the seeds in water until the water reduces to half.
- Strain this mixture and add some jaggery for taste.
- Drink this herbal decoction.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink 1-2 cups in a day.
(e) Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are said to help in treating PCOS as they have antihirsutism properties and help decrease androgen (male hormones) levels in human and animal studies (24), (25).
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Soak the fennel in a glass of water overnight.
- Add another glass of water to this in the morning and boil the solution for 5-6 minutes.
- Strain and drink this water while it is warm.
- You can soak and boil fennel and fenugreek seeds together to avail the combined benefits of these spices.
How Often You Should Do This
Have fennel infused water every day in the morning on an empty stomach.
(f) Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds have hypoglycemic properties that can help manage blood sugar levels (26). They also contain beta-sitosterol that can reduce the levels of androgens (27). Thus, they can help reduce the symptoms of PCOS, such as hirsutismi XA condition that results in male-patterned hair growth in women. It is often caused by excess presence of male sex hormones called androgens. , acne, and weight gain.
14. Saw Palmetto
The excess levels of testosterone seen in PCOS are brought down by this herb. It prevents testosterone from turning into dihydrotestosterone, which leads to excessive hair growth (28).
You Will Need
Saw palmetto extract
What You Have To Do
Depending on the concentration of the extract, take about 150 mg – 200 mg equivalent of it after consulting your doctor.
How Often You Should Do This
Take this supplement daily.
Caution: Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should not use this herb.
15. Cinnamon And Honey
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Studies show that cinnamon can improve menstrual cyclicity and may be an effective treatment option for PCOS (29).
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
- 1 tablespoon of honey
What You Have To Do
Combine the two and ingest the mixture.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once every day.
16. Licorice Root
Animal studies show that licorice extracts can be a potential treatment for PCOS by regulating hormonal balance and irregular ovarian follicles (30).
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of licorice root
- A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
- Pour the hot water over the licorice and let this sit for a few minutes.
- Strain and drink this herbal tea.
How Often You Should Do This
Have a cup of licorice tea every day.
17. Chasteberry
Chasteberry, which is scientifically known as Vitex agnus-castus, is useful for treating symptoms of PCOS. Studies show that it can help in normalizing the menstrual cycle and reduce the levels of testosterone in women with PCOS (31).
You Will Need
Chasteberry supplements
What You Have To Do
Take the supplement as recommended by the doctor.
How Often You Should Do This
The frequency would depend on the dosage of the supplements you have. Usually, one capsule per day is recommended.
While home remedies can be an excellent option for treating the symptoms of PCOS, seeking medical help is also important. Consult your doctor about your plans to give home remedies a try so that the best possible combination of treatments can be devised for you.
Also, PCOS is often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and diet. Hence, you need to follow a yeast-free diet. Avoid sugar, gluten, and dairy for one month and see if your symptoms improve. Yeast can overgrow in the intestines after taking antibiotics, steroids, or a high-sugar diet. The toxic end products from yeast can block hormone production and contribute to PCOS.
Apart from using home remedies, you should also follow certain precautionary measures to prevent PCOS.
Precautionary Measures To Prevent PCOS
1. Avoid Processed Foods
It is important to stop eating processed foods and snacks to cope with PCOS. The chemicals used to make processed foods can make the symptoms worse.
2. Chromium Intake
Chromium is present in the human body in minimal amounts, and it enhances the ability to absorb insulin. PCOS can make you resistant to insulin, and you can tackle this situation by consuming foods or supplements containing chromium (32). A few examples are broccoli, red wine, and green beans. Make sure you consult a doctor before taking chromium supplements
3. Physical Activity
Simple calorie-burning activities, like walking, swimming, or cycling, can be helpful. These activities can help you shed excess weight. They also improve insulin sensitivity. Keep in mind not to resort to activities that can cause excessive strain and/or exhaustion.
4. Give Up Smoking
Smoking can enhance the androgen levels in your body and affect cardiovascular and respiratory health (33). Abstain from smoking to ensure your overall health improves.
5. Relax With Yoga
A lot of women resort to yoga as it has healing effects on the mind and body. However, practicing specific yoga postures can be helpful in dealing with hormone-induced disorders, including PCOS. Consult yoga gurus who can guide you about specific yoga poses that can ease the stressed, hormonal glands in the body. Yoga will also help you stay relaxed and stress-free.
6. Take Care Of Your Liver
It is essential to keep your liver in good shape. If it does not perform well, excess hormones start accumulating in the body. Enhance the intake of liver-friendly foods, such as green leafy vegetables, garlic, turmeric, beets, sweet potatoes, lemons, apples, and onions.
7. Consume Specific Nutrients Through Supplements
As already mentioned, nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins play a vital role in dealing with PCOS. Magnesium deficiency is linked toinsulin resistance. The B vitamins are needed for hormone imbalance regulation and burning fats. If these are lacking in your diet, have them in the form of supplements after consulting your doctor.
8. Consume Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet to help ease the symptoms of PCOS. An anti-inflammatory diet includes these foods – tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, and blueberries.
9. Get Enough Sleep
Try and get 8 hours of sound sleep. This can help you get rid of stress. Disturbed sleep can lead to hormone imbalance, which may result in PCOS. Therefore, establish a fixed bedtime routine and do not deviate from it.
These measures aim at maintaining the healthy functioning of all the organs in the body. Healthy organs lead to the optimum functioning of the endocrine system and no hormonal imbalance.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition associated with hormonal imbalance in which fluid-filled sacs or cysts develop in the ovaries and prevent them from functioning normally. Estrogen dominance and insulin resistance, most commonly triggered by yeast overgrowth and magnesium deficiency, are considered to be the leading causes of this condition. Various home remedies for polycystic ovary syndrome focus on providing symptomatic relief and attempt to restore hormonal balance. However, they should not be used as substitutes for prescribed treatment plans. Following certain guidelines like increasing magnesium intake, getting proper sleep, avoiding inflammatory foods, destressing, and regularly exercising may lower your risk of developing PCOS.
