So, I hope they don’t mind if I feature them here as I’m sure they will be of interest to you.

This video describes what PCOS is:

As Dr John Eden says,the aim of the video is to inform and empower women with PCOS so they can get the help they need.

I hope it helped you.

Agnus Castus can be a useful natural treatment for PCOS and has been used to help regulate female hormones for centuries.

It can lengthen the menstrual cycle in women who are experiencing menstruation too often, but shorten it in women who are not experiencing it often enough. This is due to it raising production of the luteinizing hormone (LH), while decreasing the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This in turn increases Progesterone levels.

In simple terms, that means a better ratio of oestrogen to progesterone and so a more natural cycle.

The Benefits of Agnus Castus

Studies into Agnus Castus have shown it can:

• increase fertility (due to the increase in progesterone during the 2nd half of the cycle)
• reduce PMT/PMS (water weight, bloating, irritability, fatigue, cramps and headaches)
• reduce acne and excess hair by neutralizing excess testosterone
• reduce the health risks of excess oestrogen, such as breast cancer and obesity

Risks and Side Effects of Agnus Castus

In general, Agnus Castus has been proven to have very few side effects and can be taken consistently for long periods of time (18 months is the recommended max).

However, due to the way it alters your hormone levels, you should avoid taking it:

• as soon as you think you might be pregnant
• if you are on the Birth Control Pill or Hormone Replacement Therapy
• if you are taking a dopamine agonist (used for treating Parkinson’s disease, Restless Leg Syndrome and some pituitary tumors)

What Else Should I Know About Agnus Castus?

To really see the benefits of Agnus Castus you should continue taking it for at least a month to start to see the benefits and 6 months to really see it take full effect.

I prefer to take a tincture rather than capsules and stick to the recommended dosage (usually 20-30 drops in a little water first thing in the morning).

If you are concerned about taking Agnus Castus then consult a qualified herbalist or natural health professional for more information and recommended dosages. This blog post is not designed to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

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Try Agnus Castus (Chaste Tree Berry) Tincture from Herbal Remedies

Ingredients: Certified Organic Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex angus-castus) Herb Strength Ratio 1:3.

But then I read Jennifer’s comment on the Welcome to PCOS Matters post, and realised it was wrong of me to disguise some areas of my life with PCOS just because I didn’t want to share my grumpiness!

Over the past few weeks I have been feeling a mixture of unhappiness, grumpiness and anger at different times. I can explain it in my head – it’s prolonged PMT (I am WELL overdue for my period), I feel heavy and haven’t lost any more weight (again due to my delayed period, I’m sure), I have a number of other stresses in my life at the moment (work and money), I fell and badly sprained my ankle last week so have had some pain and mobility problems, and my hormones are generally having a crazy ole party!

It doesn’t matter what your head tells you about WHY you feel the way you do. Unfortunately, no amount of logical reasoning can change the way you actually FEEL.

In Jennifer’s comment she wrote about her daughter trying to commit suicide due to depression caused by undiagnosed PCOS. Now, I don’t even begin to suggest that what I have been going through is depression – I have had experience of real depression in the past and it is an overwhelming dark pit of despair that I never want to have to re-visit. But it is important to understand where all these feelings are coming from and recognise the signs so you can get the help you need.

PCOS and depression are strongly linked. In fact, depression is a common symptom of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome for a number of reasons:

• slightly elevated testosterone levels have been proved to be connected with extreme cases of depression (as opposed to extreme levels – high or low) which we see in PCOS
• depression is also linked to Insulin Resistance and underactive thyroid conditions – both common among PCOS sufferers
• problems associated with PCOS such as fertility issues, excess hair, weight and acne can also play a huge role in how you feel

What Can You Do To Help Avoid PCOS Depression?

There are a number of natural methods you can use to help elevate your mood and try to maintain an “even keel”:

• diet plays a huge part in all aspects of PCOS. While you may think chocolate and pizza will make you feel better, deep down you know that isn’t true. You should aim to eat plenty of fresh vegetables – especially green leafy vegetables – and nuts and seeds.
• you may have a vitmain B deficiency (especially vitamin B6 and Folic Acid) so eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin B such as green leafy vegetables, avocado, Brazil nuts, oats and barley
• Avoid processed sugars, caffeine and alcohol, all of which will worsen your mood
• Take plenty of exercise - you may not like exercise but it is a natural mood lifter
• Take a good Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplement which aids normal brain function
• Increase your natural magnesium intake from foods such as legumes, whole grains, nuts and leafy green veg, as magnesium is required to maintain your serotonin levels (a hormone vital for mood regulation)
• Consider taking a St John’s Wort supplement – a natural remedy that has been proven to aid mild to moderate depression. BUT, please consult your doctor before taking as St John’s Wort can affect the efficacy of other drugs and is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

However, if you feel you are spiralling into the kind of depression that seems inescapable, please seek help immediately.  If your doctor is dismissive, then seek a second opinion or a referral. Do not let it drag on. Too often we listen to what our heads tell us about WHY we are feeling depressed and low but knowing the WHY does not solve the problem. Telling yourself to “buck up – it’s just the PCOS” is not a solution. Listen to what your body and your emotions are telling you and respond accordingly.

The offending ankle!

In this video I talk about my experiences of natural treatment for PCOS.

In most cases, our doctors do a good job, but they tend to treat symptoms rather than the whole body. Alternative therapies are much more holistic and look at everything happening to the body, not just the symptoms.

If you feel uncomfortable about giving up your medical treatment then don’t. The two can work together.

To explore natural ways to reduce your PCOS symptoms take a look at Natural Ovarian Cyst and PCOS Relief Secrets.

The system addresses the root cause of the problem – the reason your body has created a cyst – not just the symptoms. You can tackle the true root causes using a natural, holistic approach… Click here to find out more

In my last video, I shared a little about my journey with PCOS. In this video I talk about my experiences with the traditional medical route for PCOS treatment.

I was disappointed with my initial doctor’s response to discovering I had Polycystic Ovaries i.e. he offered no help whatsoever, so I went and found a new doctor who was more interested in PCOS. I recommend you do the same, and if you can you should ask for the referral to an Endocrinologist.

More doctors are accepting PCOS as a condition that should be taken seriously, but not all of them. And some of those that recognise the problems of PCOS are not educated well enough in it to offer any further solutions.

I urge you to find the best PCOS doctor/specialist possible and make sure you are satisfied with the treatments they offer.