The thyroid gland is one of the vital hormone glands and is located in the lower neck region. It plays a main role in the metabolism, growth, and development of our body. Thyroid gland constantly releases thyroid hormones into the bloodstream to do the functions. It also plays an inevitable role in the proper functioning of the female reproductive system.
Hypothyroidism or low thyroid function is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces less or doesn’t produce its hormones. The common features of hypothyroidism are fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, weight gain, dry skin, muscle cramps, joint pain, and constipation. Reproductive dysfunction like irregular reproductive cycles and infertility are common with hypothyroidism.
Thyroid disorders and Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are very common endocrine disorders in the general women population. Some chemicals released in the body during hypothyroidism adversely affect the morphology of the ovary, thereby inhibiting the normal production of ovum or egg in the body and deranges the normal functioning of female hormones as well. Increased collagen production in the body gets deposited in the ovaries because of hypothyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction is more common in women with PCOS when compared to healthy individuals.
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that adversely affects the reproductive system and metabolism. The common features of PCOS may be irregular periods or heavy bleeding during periods, excess facial and body hair, and sometimes severe acne and male pattern baldness, obesity, and infertility. The ovaries would contain many fluids-filled sacs or cystic follicles which would lead to improper, or no ovum/ egg production and overproduction of male hormones called androgens in female body. This affects the ovum quality, which would affect the menstrual cycles and lead to infertility or inability to get pregnant. The affected women are also at increased risk of endometrial cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism and PCOS include irregular periods, acne, weight gain, excessive hair growth, and difficulty in getting pregnant. Proper diagnosis is inevitable for an effective treatment management. Many times, treatment without identifying the proper cause can cause aggravation of the condition.
Food and lifestyle modifications are most important for the management of this condition. Along with that, internal medicines need to be taken under the supervision of an ayurvedic physician. Here are some simple tips that could be included in our routine for effective management.
- FOOD
- Intake of fiber-rich food
- Avoid refined flours, packed, junk foods, and sugar. Add millets, whole grains, and jaggery instead.
- Avoid excess intake of salt.
- Add fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet
- Healthy fats can be incorporated through the intake of nuts, seeds, and good-quality edible oils.
- Drink 2-2.5 liters of water
- Drink 1 glass of water boiled with cumin or coriander seeds in empty stomach.
- Lifestyle
- 7-8 hours of timely sleep is important
- Get exposure to moderate sunrays.
- Moderate exercise or yoga could be adopted to strengthen the body against such conditions.
- Oil massage before bath is an excellent way to improve blood circulation and relieve stress.
- Yoga postures like ushtrasana, dhanurasana, shalabhasana, setu bandhasana, matsyasana, bhujangasana etc. along with pranayama can be done daily under the expert guidance. This helps in the management of weight, glucose levels, and cholesterol levels in the body and lower stress levels of the body.
- Herbs like Shatavari, kumari, etc. can be taken under the guidance of an ayurvedic physician.
- Internal medicines like sukumaram kasayam, hamsapathyadi kasayam, chandraprabha vati, kanchanara guggulu, kumaryasavam, etc. can be taken under the guidance of an ayurvedic physician.