Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a medical condition in which women of reproductive age suffers from hormonal imbalance. It causes irregularities in menstrual cycle and often leads to infertility.
PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder in women. In US alone, upto 10% of women are diagnosed with PCOS in their gynecological visits. PCOS affect women who are about to reach menopause very often. But the disorder can also occur at young age
PCOS may cause irregular or no periods. Many cysts are formed in ovaries which are harmless but cause hormonal imbalance which further leads to a number of other symptoms. If not treated properly and on time PCOS may lead to diabetes, heart problems or other diseases.
The symptoms of PCOS occur gradually. Some common signs and symptoms include abnormal menstrual cycle, excess of male hormones and insulin, numerous cysts in ovaries, acne, hair loss and weight gain.
PCOS can’t be diagnosed by running a single test. However your doctor may suggest an ultrasound or blood test to examine hormone levels in your body.
Some of the ways in which PCOS can be treated include regular exercise, healthy lifestyle, weight control and medication to balance hormone levels. PCOS can’t be cured completely but the risk of other diseases resulting from it can be lowered.
There are few home care tips to control PCOS such as having a balanced diet and avoiding the factors that may worsen the symptoms of PCOS.
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How Turmeric Benefits in PCOS
Turmeric can help in PCOS in multiple ways:
- Turmeric lowers blood sugar levels.
- Turmeric has antioxidant properties.
- Turmeric controls pre-diabetic symptoms.
- Turmeric helps in detoxifying the body.
- Turmeric promotes weight loss.
- Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties.
For more details please read:
Turmeric for female reproductive system disorders
Best ways to take Turmeric in PCOS
Disclaimer – There is no particular prescribed dose of turmeric defined for PCOS. Based on the studies and reader’s reports we have summarized various ways of taking turmeric which could benefit in this disorder.
The dosage depends in terms of the formulation of the turmeric supplement and severity of the health condition. Here is the recommended dose:
Fresh Turmeric roots
Turmeric roots are a great addition to diet but when it comes to a therapeutic effect we would suggest opting for alternative forms of turmeric.
Recommended intake: 1-3g or ½ inch long piece of root sliced or chopped. You can also juice it and take it with a pinch of black pepper. This can be a part of your fresh juices or taken individually.
You can also opt for Golden Paste made from fresh roots. For dosage check subsequent section on Golden Paste.
Further Read – Is fresh turmeric better then powder?
Turmeric powder
If you are including turmeric powder in cooking then 1 tsp daily is sufficient. Always opt for good quality organic turmeric powder (How to identify organic turmeric, Recommended Turmeric brands)
However if you take turmeric powder straight with black pepper then it would be 1-2 g of turmeric powder with a pinch of black pepper.
In terms of teaspoon that would be 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper powder twice a day
Always start with a small dose and increase gradually. Avoid taking on an empty stomach. You can also make Turmeric capsules at home.
Maximum dose: 1 tsp of turmeric powder with ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper thrice a day
Golden Paste
Golden Paste combines heat, black pepper and healthy fats to increase the absorption of turmeric.
It is highly recommended to take this paste after/with meals and to avoid taking it close to other medications. (Read Does Turmeric cause acid reflux? Black pepper in GP: Does it cause drug interaction?) Here is the recipe.
You can also make Golden Paste from fresh roots.
Start with small doses such as 1/4-1/2 tsp and if you see no side effects then increase the dose by ¼ teaspoon every week. Continue till reach a dose of 1-2 tsp 2-3 times a day (precisely 1 tsp 3 times a day).
This is the ideal dose of Golden Paste where you should experience relief. The ideal dose differs with every individual; some do fine on a small dose while some may need more.
Thinking of other ways to take Golden Paste read 10 ways to take Golden Paste
Maximum dosage: 1 table spoon 2-3 times a day only advised if you are comfortable taking it and not experiencing gastric side effects.
Turmeric tincture
Turmeric tincture is a great way of taking turmeric for pain relief minus the taste. There is no evidence to suggest how beneficial it can be for PCOS. Please consult a herbalist about the use of turmeric tincture in PCOS.
Take 10-30 drops 2-3 times a day depending on the condition. It can be added to teas, juices or smoothies.
Maximum dosage: 20-30 drops 3 times a day
Turmeric tea
This is a good option for tea lovers and who want to skip the taste of turmeric paste. Here is the recipe for Turmeric Tea.
Recommended intake: 1-2 cups a day
Turmeric Milk
This is just perfect when it comes to combating pain naturally. You can find the recipe for Turmeric Milk here.
Recommended intake: 1-2 cups a day
Turmeric supplements
The recommended dosage for supplements is 300-400mg 2-3 times a day for standardized 95% curcumin extract.
However the dose would differ based on the formulation, hence it is best to consult a doctor before taking turmeric supplements.
Avoid taking supplements on an empty stomach and close to the time of taking medicines. Consult a health practitioner before taking turmeric supplements.
Precautions
Turmeric in diet is absolutely safe. Turmeric supplements should be taken with care. (Read Side effects of Turmeric)
If you are taking blood thinners, turmeric supplements should be avoided. Turmeric can be included in diet in small doses. If suffering from a bleeding disorder consult a doctor and herbalist or naturopath before taking turmeric.
Turmeric supplements should be avoided in case of pregnancy and lactation. Discontinue use of turmeric supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery.
Turmeric supplements should be avoided in case of gall bladder obstructions. (Should you take turmeric if you have gallstones?)
Turmeric may interact with certain medications like stomach acid reducing drugs, diabetes medications, blood thinners. Avoid taking turmeric supplements at the same time as medicines.
If suffering from gout or kidney stones, limit intake of turmeric as a spice. (Read Does turmeric cause kidney stones? Is turmeric safe in gout?)
Consult a health practitioner before taking turmeric supplements.
If harrowed by turmeric stains here is how you can take care of them.
Conclusion
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women. It is one of the factors responsible for infertility among women. If not treated properly PCOS can lead to diabetes and other health problems.
There is no established treatment of PCOS yet and turmeric has number of benefits in PCOS. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties which treats the cysts formed during PCOS. Its antioxidant properties helps in detoxifying body.
Turmeric holds multiple benefits in PCOS.