Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormone disorders affecting women. It is suspected that more than 1/10 women have PCOS yet many are undiagnosed. Some of the more common symptoms of PCOS are irregular or absent periods, acne, hair loss, cystic ovaries, infertility, and difficulty losing weight.
Although research has come a long way in terms of understanding the causes of PCOS, and more women are getting diagnosed, conventional medicine has little to offer in terms of effective treatment. Women are often told that they need to lose weight to fix their PCOS, but weight loss is extremely difficult for women with PCOS due to no fault of their own. The typical formula of reducing food intake and increasing exercise rarely brings results. The drug, Metformin, is often prescribed but a recent study has shown that this medication did not help women with PCOS to lose weight after being on it for 3 months. Also, metformin is often poorly tolerated due to gastrointestinal side effects. The birth control pill can help with regulating the period but it doesn’t address any of the underlying imbalances that cause PCOS. It’s also obviously not a good solution for women who are trying to conceive.
Dr. Rebecca Tocher-Richmond, ND has been helping women with hormonal issues including PCOS for over 20 years. She has developed a specific interest in PCOS because she discovered early on in her career that there is so much that Naturopathic Medicine can do to help these women. Dr. Tocher-Richmond has created a 6 Step PCOS Program as a framework for treating PCOS. Although there are some aspects of treatment that apply to all women with PCOS, every woman is unique so each patient’s plan will look a little different. The naturopathic approach to treating PCOS is not a quick-fix program. Although we often see some immediate improvements, other symptoms of PCOS take time to resolve. We work together to create an eating plan and lifestyle changes that are sustainable over the long term. Supplement recommendations are focused on a woman’s specific hormonal picture and needs. We do blood tests at various stages in the process to identify imbalances and to monitor results. If you or someone you know is struggling because of PCOS, please give us a call at the clinic or book an appointment online. We would love to help you on your path to wellness.
**Closed 1-2 pm for lunch on Fridays
Located at:
11 Perron St. St. Albert, AB T8N 1E3
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