Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, which our Toronto functional medicine clinical practice currently addresses.

Did you know that around 1.4 million Canadian women might already have PCOS? According to most studies, it’s the combination of androgen excess (high DHEA, testosterone, or androstenedione levels) and anovulation (the egg does not release or ovulate from a woman’s ovaries) that distinguishes PCOS.

If you were to visit a functional medicine doctor, they would tell you that PCOS could cause infertility, weight gain, and other health issues that can affect your quality of life.

This article explains how PCOS can affect fertility and what you may wish to discuss at a consultation.

A Functional Medicine Approach to PCOS and Fertility

PCOS can affect both ovulation and how the body uses insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into cells for energy. Some people with PCOS have insulin resistance, which means their body does not respond to insulin as well as it should.

A fertility review looks at more than PCOS alone. Your care team may discuss your menstrual cycle, medical history, previous test results and other factors that could affect pregnancy. The findings can help guide whether further testing or a referral may be useful.

At our Toronto functional medicine clinic, we consider your health concerns, daily habits and personal goals when discussing care. Healthy eating and physical activity can support health with PCOS, even without weight loss. Your care plan should reflect your needs and the findings from your assessment.

Talk With Our Toronto Clinic About PCOS and Fertility

If you have PCOS or concerns about your fertility, contact Toronto Functional Medicine Centre to discuss a consultation. Your care team can review your symptoms, health history and previous test results, and discuss possible next steps.

The TFMC practices integrative medicine with the functional medicine model, while emphasizing naturopathic medicine, herbal medicine, Eastern medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Western medicine (allopathic), and functional medicine laboratory testing.

Our wide range of functional medicine programs and treatment plans are executed as personalized medicine. This means that our clinical therapies cater to your biology and optimal wellness needs only! The TFMC can support you by understanding your current lifestyle factors, hormone imbalances, chronic conditions, adrenal fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, and other health issues that could affect fertility.

Ready to discuss your fertility concerns? Book a consultation with Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – click here for our contact information.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

References:

Diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome: A reappraisal. Azziz, Ricardo. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 83, Issue 5, 1343 – 1346.

Lujan ME, Chizen DR, Pierson RA. Diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome: pitfalls and controversies. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2008;30(8):671-679. doi:10.1016/S1701-2163(16)32915-2

Mohd Ashraf Ganie, Madan Lal Khurana, Sobia Nisar, Parvaiz Ahmed Shah, Zaffar Amin Shah, Bindu Kulshrestha, Nandita Gupta, Mohd Afzal Zargar, Tariq Ahmed Wani, Syed Mudasir, Farooq Ahmed Mir, Shahnaz Taing, Improved Efficacy of Low-Dose Spironolactone and Metformin Combination Than Either Drug Alone in the Management of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Six-Month, Open-Label Randomized Study, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 98, Issue 9, 1 September 2013, Pages 3599–3607, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2013-1040

Omran MY. Metformin and polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2007;1(1):75-80.

Rogerio A. Lobo, Donna Shoupe, Paulo Serafini, David Brinton, Richard Horton, The effects of two doses of spironolactone on serum androgens and anagen hair in hirsute women**Supported in part by National Institutes of Health grant HD-17519-01A1. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 43, Issue 2, 1985,

Pages 200-205, ISSN 0015-0282, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(16)48373-1.

Spritzer, P.M., Lisboa, K.O., Mattiello, S. and Lhullier, F. (2000), Spironolactone as a single agent for long-term therapy of hirsute patients. Clinical Endocrinology, 52: 587-594. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2265.2000.00982.x