PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a condition that affects up to 1 in 10 girls and women in their reproductive years in Australia with many more cases thought to remain undiagnosed.

Around 30% of women may have polycystic ovaries seen on an ultrasound during their fertile years, but this doesn’t mean they have PCOS. To be diagnosed with PCOS, women need to have two out of three of the following:

• irregular or absent periods
• acne, excess facial or body hair growth, scalp hair loss or high levels of testosterone and similar hormones found in the blood.
• polycystic ovaries visible on an ultrasound.

However women diagnosed with PCOS often experience a broad range of debilitating symptoms that include:

- Irregular periods

- Infertility

- Excess hair growth due to unbalanced testosterone levels

- Sometimes thinning hair or alopecia

- Acne and/or oily skin

- Obesity or weight gain especially around the waist

- Pelvic pain

- Sometimes patches of thickened, dark, velvety skin

- Polycystic ovaries

- Sleep apnoea

What What causes PCOS?

PCOS symptoms are a result of alterations of the hormonal system, as well as the reproductive system, in women. High testosterone levels and problems with glucose/insulin balance are common with this syndrome, however the jury is still out on the cause of PCOS!

Multiple genes have been linked to the syndrome, and women who have a mother, aunt or sister with PCOS are 50 per cent more likely to develop PCOS, further contributing to the genetic link. Environmental factors are also thought to play a part and with lifestyle and diet modifications able to make such a difference as part of treating PCOS, these can’t be ruled out as causes as well.



Is there a difference between having Polycystic Ovaries and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Because ovarian cysts are common to both, they're often mistaken as the same condition.

However PCOS is a syndrome that is diagnosed when there is high levels of androgens (testosterone and similar hormones), and ovarian cysts together with a range of other symptoms. Having Polycystic Ovaries simply means more than one ovarian cyst is identified on an ultrasound. Sometimes women with polycystic ovaries will have no other signs or symptoms resulting from the cysts, other than longer periods in some cases.

What are some treatment options for PCOS?

Conventional medical therapies often used to help manage the symptoms of PCOS include the oral contraceptive pill, insulin-sensitising drugs, hormone therapies, weight loss drugs, antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.

What is very clear to me, is that some of the symptoms resulting from PCOS can also be associated with causing the syndrome - and this may be why many patients have so much success with diet and lifestyle modifications that are designed to support the hormonal system.

As a Naturopath, my approach to treating PCOS will often include specific hormone testing to get a clearer and more complete picture of the woman’s hormones that are playing a part in the various symptoms she may be experiencing. With the information available we would then create a personalised treatment plan which could include specific diet changes as well as nutritional supplementation and herbal medicines to support the balancing of the hormonal system over time. Acupuncture may also be recommended.

If you, or someone you know, is suffering with the symptoms listed above, or has a diagnosis of PCOS, it's important to know that there are effective treatment options available beyond medically managing symptoms. With a syndrome like this, there is no single treatment that will cure all. Rather, there needs to be a multi-faceted approach and one that will not only improve your symptoms, but also your quality of life.

This is what a recent patient shared about her experience seeing me for PCOS:

“For any women in Perth who have PCOS, go see Lesley Oakes. She is absolutely fantastic! She doesn’t just say “go lose weight and then come back and we can look at it”, she actually gets straight to the core of the problem.

Seeing Lesley has changed everything. My husband even cried for the first time in forever because Lesley is the first to treat me as more than just a size.

I feel like a whole new person and I’m so grateful because things are finally changing for the best.”

LESLEY OAKES is an experienced Naturopath specialising in treating hormone-related issues, especially for women during different life stages and transitions. She has helped countless patients over the last 30 years to overcome hormone related conditions including PCOS. Book an appointment with Lesley to find out how she may be able to support you with better health outcomes.

Lesley Oakes

ND, ABAAHP

Lesley is a Naturopath and board certified Anti-Ageing Health Practitioner with the Australian Academy of Anti-Ageing Medicine. Lesley is also Australia’s first Naturopath to achieve board certification from the American Academy of Anti-Ageing Medicine, is a Fellow of the Australian Natural Therapists Association and a qualified Thyroflex Technician.