PCOS
“Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that affects women of reproductive age. Specifically, the condition is characterised by having too many androgens, or male hormones, in the body, and this imbalance interferes with regular menstrual cycles. Women with PCOS experience missed or irregular periods.” (A. Vitti)
“PCOS is best defined as androgen excess (high male hormones) when all other causes of androgen excess have been ruled out. And despite the name, polycystic ovary syndrome has nothing to do with cysts on the ovaries. For one thing, the so-called “cysts” visible on ultrasound are not ovarian cysts but are just follicles or eggs, which are normal for the ovary. PCOS is not one disease. Instead, it’s “a heterogeneous disorder with different underlying biological mechanisms.” In other words, it’s a set of symptoms (androgen excess and anovulatory cycles) caused or driven by several underlying factors. To successfully treat PCOS, you need to identify which factor (or factors) is driving the symptoms. In other words, you need to know your functional type of PCOS.” (Lara Briden)
Symptoms
Women who have been diagnosed with PCOS often show symptoms like acne, excessive facial and body hair, obesity, anovulatory cycles, menstrual irregularities, fertility challenges. Note that all of these symptoms can be related to other issues meaning that their presence cannot be taken as evidence of PCOS.
Treatment
Treating PCOS involves a multifaceted approach aimed at addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance whilst managing symptoms. Lifestyle modifications, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight, are important. A combination of naturopathy (supplements and diet) and acupuncture can be a key in correcting hormone imbalance.
How Abdominal Restorative Massage can support with PCOS:
Guiding the reproductive organs into their proper position helps their function and releases physical and emotional blockages to restore health to the uterus and surrounding organs. (A.Vitti in her book ‘Woman Code’ pag 29).
Abdominal massage can support the body's natural healing processes and contribute to overall relaxation, assisting with the managment of stress which is an important factor in maintaining good hormonal balance for women with PCOS.
If you’re familiar with my website you’ll know at this point that I will teach you the Self Care that you can apply at home between our sessions. Regular Self Care massage allows you to begin to move daily into more relaxation resulting in good deep sleep which is a key to self healing.