I'm hoping someone in here can help - I'm concerned about the side effects of "traditional" PCOS treatments and will soon be consulting an herbalist. I'm hoping she'll be able to help me get things on track. At least, it's worth a try!

Has anyone else tried herbs/alternative therapies for PCOS? Were those attempts successful? What should I expect during my first visit?

Thanks.

ndnpoet,

One herb associated with treating PCOS is Vitex (agnus castus). It can help regulate your cycle, but I'm not sure about ovulation...I have not personally tried it yet. A good book source is The PCOS Diet Book by Collette Harris. She has a long list of herbal remedies in the book.

Good luck with your herbalist. I'd be interested to know what she recommends, maybe you will post the info here?

NJCyster

A friend of mine used vitex 500mg tablet and dong quai tablet 500mgs and got af on her own 40 days later and monthly for the next three months and then ovulated and is now 8 weeks pg. One thing about herbs though is that it takes time for them to work.

Good Luck

Something interesting that you should know about Vitex is that supposedly it works by increasing LH levels... and if you have PCOS, that is exactly what you do NOT want to do! I bought a bottle of this stuff once, then started doing some research afterwards, and this is what I found out.

I will admit... a lot of women with PCOS take it, and it works for them... very strange.

It's possible that what vitex does is normalizes levels of LH, and that these studies were done in normal women, and that for them, normalizing levels meant raising them - maybe in PCOS women, normalizing the levels means lowering them, and that is why it works for women with PCOS, despite it seeming that it would do the opposite...

I really don't know. I just know that I bought this stuff and then felt uncomfortable actually taking it!

If you are going to see an herbalist, that is great! I am toying with going down that route myself... I had luck for a long time taking glucophage, but it has stopped working for me, and I am at my wits end and back on birth control pills, which I loathe.

I wouldn't reccomend looking for herbal remedies on PCOS, though, on your own... simply because there are SO many... once you start reading, you are going to feel like buying everything you can get your hands on, and going the "natural" route can actually wind up costing you more than the traditional medical route, provided you have good insurance. (My insurance plan covers my glucophage and birth control pills, but it does not cover a manic sweep of the herb/vitamin shelf at the local store!)

I also hope you post some of what you learn here!

i find vitex works well
i also take chromium for the insulin resistance
B group multivitamin for the depression and bloating

i am also on metformin and with this combination i am ovulating every 28-30days and have lost 50kg in the last 12 months
still have a lot more to loose but its working!

I have been using Glucosol for a week now and it seems to be really helping. I use it instead of Glucophage.

I also take vitex and it has worked wonders for me...I was not ovulating and had not had a period in nearly a year...I started taking vitex about six months ago along with evening primrose and my periods have been regular and I am ovulating again...

irishgreengables,

I would like more info on Glucosol. You say it's helping you...with weight loss? or pcos symptoms? What kind of dosage are you taking? Please post more info about your experience here!

Thanks,
NJCyster

Yes the Glucosol has helped me. I have never ever been able to lose weight easily -- not even on Glucophage. But I have lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks on the Glucosol. Now -- I am working out a lot and eating well and counting calories...but I did that as well on Glucophage and it didn't work. So I am giving some credit to the Glucosol! I am also doing yoga, which I have never before done, and noticed that my cramps are not nearly as bad this period. So it could be one or the other or both. Whatever it is, I am not going to stop. I am also adding 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon to 2 meals a day because I read that that helps (I take one Glucosol a day).

Good luck and let me know if it helps.

Peace,
Paula

Paula,

I am really interested in trying the Glucosol. What is it actually? A herb? What dosage & brand do you use? I have also heard good things about cinnamon and pcos.

With all its stomach side effects, Glucophage seems pretty nasty!

As far as diet, what are you doing?

Thanks,
NJCyster

Glucosol comes from the banaba plant. I do not know much about that, but I do know that it has been used successfully in the Philippines and Asia to combat Diabetes.

I use a brand called "Glucosol" by Nature's Plus. I take a 48 mg. pill with breakfast, though I have ordered it in the 24 mg. so I can take one at breakfast and one at dinner.

I have no side effects at all. Glucophage was torture for me so this is sooooo much better.

As far as diet, I have created my own. I eat between 1800 and 2300 calories per day. I do not eat processed foods and have a very low sugar intake (but I do get some sugar). I do not eat sweets except Sundays, when I have one sweet thing. I average about 20-25% fat, 20-25 % protein and 40-50% carbs. I make sure to get a lot of fiber. My carbs are from whole grains and veggies and fruit and wheat bran. I have 1/4 t. of cinnamon on my food twice a day and drink about 80-100 oz. water per day. I have a lot of weight to lose so I am really faithful to this.

I am really focussing on making enjoyable food -- not "diet" food. I am rarely hungry and have not cheated once in 2 weeks -- which is amazing for me!!! If you are interested in some more, just let me know.

What are you eating?

Peace,
Paula

Paula,

Of course, I'd love to hear more about your plan... It sounds very healthy and reasonable which seems to me the best way to lose the weight permanently!

I am watching my carbs and trying to eat lower glycemic index carbs. I am toying with the idea of doing the Zone (on my Dr.'s recommendation), but am finding the concept too rigid...and I have to get my head around the "blocks" idea too! What's an example of an average day of eating for you?

Best wishes,
NJCyster

Hello everyone!

I have been checking this post for updates on the herbal treatments everyone's using. Specifically...

ndn poet - Would really like to know what your herbalist recommended to treat your pcos.

irishgreengables/Paula - Would like to read more specifics about your plan. Do you think taking the Glucosol has made a big difference with your pcos symptoms & staying on plan?

MelissaA & Scarlettvixen - How's the Vitex working? Are you still seeing regular cycles and ovulation? Melissa, are you still taking the Evening Primrose Oil too? Do you think that makes a difference?

Here's hoping everyone posts soon !
NJCyster

My plan. Well... I sort of created my own based upon my likes/dislikes/physical needs etc. One thing that has been key for me is to stick within a calorie range and a ration of carbs:fatsroteins. I eat between 1700-2300 calories per day (right for my weight) and my ratio is 15-25%fat/20-25% protein/the rest carbs. This is working really well for me. I don't eat much sugar, though I do not STRESS about it. I just try and be conscious of it and really do not eat sweets except one small treat per week. I really do not crave much with this plan and feel well satiated.

Here is an example day:

Breakfast -- oatmeal (1.5 servings) with 1/4 c. 1% or 2 % milk, 1 T. brown sugar (see--I do have some, but will switch to a few drops of maple syrup soon), 1 T. ground flax seeds, 1T. wheat germ, and 1/2 scoop whole foods soy protein powder; coffee w/ 2 T. cream or whole milk

morning cardio 1/2 hour to 1 hour cycling outdoors or dancing in 10 minute intervals combined with climbing first stair of house over and over again in 5 minute intervals, or belly dancing tapes --PLUS crunches daily PLUS push ups every other day PLUS yoga daily (15-45 minutes)

snack -- banana w/ PB or plain N/F yogurt with 1 T. wheat germ and 1 T. all-fruit jam or homemade soup or salad or 1 serving pretzels w/ 1 teaspoon PB etc etc.

lunch -- my favorite is a full avocado plus one serving imitation crab with 1 T. parmesan cheese -- all together as a salad; I have other choices as well -- usually left-overs

snack -- banana w/ PB or plain N/F yogurt with 1 T. wheat germ and 1 T. all-fruit jam or homemade soup or salad etc etc.

dinner -- 4 oz. salmon with green beans and brown rice or a huge salad or soup and sour dough bread or chicken burritos or bean/lentil stew etc. etc.

I drink at least 80 oz. of water too.

I take the Glucosol with whichever meal has the highest carbs so I really do plan ahead.

This plan is a great amount of food, but I am not losing quickly. I am losing about 1-2 lbs. per week -- which is my intention so that I can keep it off eventually -- although I do get frustrated when the scale doesn't budge.

I have to say that -- because I have PCOS, I consider this plan my cure of the symptoms. Therefore, I DO NOT cheat (or haven't so far). Now, I know a lot of people advocate for cheating here and there, but I just feel that I cannot do that. To me, food and exercise are my medications. I do not want to take pills for the rest of my life. I also make my food so yummy that I do not feel like cheating. In fact, my 23 YO brother is living with us right now and has LOVED the food (and he does not need to diet). So does my DH. I don't prepare anything that feels like I am sacrificing. I work hard to plan ahead and make good food. I also plan ahead for certain events. i.e. Tonight was our restaurant night so I made sure to work-out longer and to eat less calories/fat/carbs at other meals. I also made sure we went to a healthy restaurant. Tomorrow is brother's b-day so I will do the same.

Finally, I have several other motivators. One is that I use the points systems here from 3fc and then will get myself a manicure/pedicure every 120 points (I am 21 away from my first). The second is that I will get a new outfit everytime I drop a size.

Mostly, though, the motivation has been the way I feel. Even though I have only been at this 25 days, I feel like a new person. I move differently, am sick less, cramp less, am less stressed, more agile, stronger, better endurance -- the list ALREADY goes on.

I do not know how it finally happened, but I guess it just finally clicked for me that I have a genetic condition that I will have to live with for the rest of my life -- but I REFUSE to live with the symptoms for the rest of my life.

I hope this wasn't toooooo long.

I would love to hear how others are fighting PCOS naturally!

Peace,
Paula

Hi Paula,

Just wanted to know if you're still taking the glucosol? If so, have you noticed any difference in your pcos symptoms? How is your weight loss going?

Be well,
NJCyster