How can I treat PCOS naturally?

Expert answers to your most intimate health questions

Q:

After I’d been suffering with irregular periods and pelvic pain, my doctor diagnosed me with PCOS at age 45. She prescribed birth control pills to ease my symptoms. But they don’t seem to be working, and I’d rather try natural remedies. Can you help?

A:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 5 million U.S. women and is caused by a hormonal imbalance. The condition can trigger growth of ovarian cysts and even infertility, as well as symptoms like weight gain and excessive hair growth on the face, chest or back. Risk is higher in women who are overweight or have a mother or sister with PCOS, and more than half of women with the condition develop type 2 diabetes, since PCOS can affect insulin resistance.

PCOS is often discovered when women are in their 20s and 30s. But since there’s no definitive test and symptoms can vary in severity and also overlap with those of other conditions (even perimenopause), diagnosis can be delayed into your 40s.

Birth control pills are the first line of treatment, since their mix of estrogen and progesterone can help balance hormones to ease symptoms. But if the pills aren’t working for you, I suggest seeing your doctor to discuss targeted treatment options.

In the meantime, lifestyle tweaks can help, like increasing your physical activity and losing 5% of your body weight (that’s 10 lbs. for a 200-lb. woman). The best way to do that may be following a low-carb/low-dairy diet: One study found that women who did so lost weight and reduced their PCOS symptoms. Finally, preliminary studies have found that taking 1,000 mcg. of chromium picolinate daily can help reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

I’m 47 and for the past few weeks, my nipples have been constantly erect. It’s embarrassing! Why is this happening?

Erect nipples are extremely common and can be caused by many things, including stimulation, irritation to fabric or an allergy.

But given your age, it’s likely due to normal hormone fluctuations, which cause breast changes, including increased nerve sensitivity that can cause nipples to harden. Plus, changes in temperature—like going in and out of air-conditioned buildings or into a pool—can also cause erect nipples.

Luckily, you can avoid embarrassment by concealing them with padded bras, looser shirts or silicone nipple covers, like Hollywood Fashion Secrets Silicone CoverUps (Ulta.com). Although this is rarely a symptom of anything serious, if you notice discharge, pain or swelling, see your doctor to rule out issues such as a clogged duct or breast abscess.