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What do acne, irregular periods, hair thinning, mood swings, and persistent weight gain have in common?

Drawing a blank? This is classic PCOD.

As integrative physicians, we often feel like detectives when a young woman walks in, expressing a jumble of symptoms that appear random, yet form a predictable pattern.

Meet Sneha.

A dynamic 28-year-old working professional. For many years, she suffered with:

• Breakouts of cystic acne
• Irregular, often absent periods
• Excessive hair fall
• Unexplained mood irritability
• Constant bloating
• And a weight that refused to budge despite workouts and clean eating.

She had completed the rounds of:

Gynaecologists

Dermatologists

Hormonal Blood Tests

Abdominal Sonographies

All of these points to polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD).

Her endocrinologist recommended oral contraception and metformin, while her dermatologist prescribed retinoids for the acne. It provided some temporary relief. But she wanted to know why her body was acting this way and how she might cure it naturally.

That's where integrative medicine comes in.

Understanding PCOD: A Modern Medicine Perspective.

PCOD is a complex endocrine and metabolic condition. Main underlying mechanisms:

• Insulin resistance (IR) affects up to 70% of women with PCOD
• Hyperandrogenism (excess male hormones)
• Chronic low-grade inflammation
• Disrupted Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) axis

Typical presentation includes:

• Irregular menses (oligo/anovulation)
• Acne, hirsutism, hair thinning
• Central obesity or weight difficulty
• Emotional disturbances like anxiety and irritability

Sneha's Labs:

• Higher LH/FSH ratio.
• Mildly elevated testosterone levels
• Fasting insulin levels increased slightly.
• Ultrasound shows enlarged ovaries with several tiny peripheral follicles.

Ayurvedic Perspective:

According to Ayurveda, PCOD is caused by Agnimandya (metabolic sluggishness) and Artava Dhatu Dushti (disordered reproductive tissue metabolism), which primarily involve the Kapha and Vata doshas.

• Kapha aggravation: leads to cyst formation, weight gain, sluggish digestion
• Vata imbalance: disrupts hormone movement and ovulatory processes
• Pitta vitiation: manifests as acne, irritability, and metabolic heat

Ayurveda identifies it as Aartava Dushti, Pushpaghni Jathaharini, or Stree Vandhya (female infertility).

Integrated Evidence-Based Management Plan for Nutrition and Lifestyle Correction:

Modern evidence (Lim et al., 2019 meta-analysis) supports that dietary changes and exercise promote ovulation, reduce androgen excess, and increase insulin sensitivity.

Sneha’s plan:

• Low Glycemic Index (GI), anti-inflammatory diet
• Eliminated dairy, refined sugars, fermented foods, and gluten temporarily
• Included omega-3 sources (flax, walnuts), fiber-rich vegetables, and digestive spices: cumin, fennel, ginger
• 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (walking + yoga)

Ayurveda recommends:

• Dinacharya (consistent daily routines)
• Early, light dinners
• Mindful eating
• Avoiding Kapha aggravating foods like cold, heavy, and fried items

Ayurvedic Medicines: Backed by Evidence

• Ashoka (Saraca asoca): Uterine tonic, regulates cycles (Thakur et al., 2020)
• Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): Phytoestrogenic adaptogen, balances hormones
• Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): Anti-inflammatory, insulin sensitizer (Reddy et al., 2021)
• Triphala: Improves gut health and supports weight management

Formulations used:

• Rajapravartini Vati: For restoring menstrual regularity
• Chandraprabha Vati: For correcting metabolism and managing insulin resistance

Dosing tailored to Sneha’s prakriti (constitution) and dosha imbalance.

Yoga & Mind-Body Practices

RCT by Nidhi et al. (2012) found yoga significantly improved menstrual cyclicity and lowered testosterone.

Sneha’s routine:

• Baddha Konasana, Bhujangasana, Paschimottanasana
• 10-minute daily Nadi Shodhana pranayama
• Guided mindfulness meditation for 10 minutes

Result: Improved sleep, mood stability, and regulated cortisol levels.

Panchakarma:

Sharma et al. (2020) observed significant BMI reduction and ovulation improvement post Virechana (therapeutic purgation) in PCOD.

For Sneha - a mild internal cleansing with herbal decoctions was initiated after 6 weeks.

Functional Nutrition Correction

Many PCOD cases involve:

• Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 deficiencies
• Gut dysbiosis
• Low-grade systemic inflammation

Sneha’s labs revealed low vitamin D and suboptimal magnesium, which were corrected through targeted supplementation and sun exposure.

The Breakthrough

At her three-month review:

• Menstrual cycles normalized to a 31–32 day pattern
• Acne subsided by 70%
• Energy and sleep quality improved
• Weight dropped by 3.5 kg
• Mood swings have been significantly reduced

Most importantly, she felt in control of her body again, something no pill had managed to offer.

What This Teaches Us

PCOD is not a one-hormone, one-solution issue.
It’s a complex interplay of metabolism, inflammation, hormones, gut health, and stress.

Modern medicine manages symptoms. Ayurveda corrects the terrain. Functional nutrition optimizes cellular resilience. Together, they heal.

At Spinalogy, we treat PCOD through Integrative Medicine - addressing hormones, metabolism, and mind together.