THE POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) “EPIDEMIC”
by Dr. Keith W. Vrbicky
As a woman’s healthcare specialist practicing for over 35 years and treating infertile couples, I as well as others, are alarmed at the skyrocketing rates of PCOS. Data shows that this diagnostic entity has doubled over the last 10 years! Currently, it is estimated that 12% of women in child-bearing age that are living in developed countries have PCOS, and as a result struggle with not only infertility, but the onset of diabetes, acne, bone issues, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. The fact that infertility is almost always present in these women suggests a connection between their infertility and estrogen levels. It has always been felt that estrogen has a protector effect to the reproductive system and that elevated levels of androgenic hormones (male hormones) cause PCOS. It is now known that androgens are actually known to improve insulin sensitivity, fertility, bone health, in both men and women and have been used clinically for decades to correct those issues. It now appears that estrogen may be the main causative factor for PCOS and anti-estrogenic interventions are highly therapeutic. Recently, an article reviewing the role of estrogen in “metabolic” diseases has raised the alarm that the current epidemic of PCOS may be linked to the rising rates of hormonal contraceptive use among young women. Although a recent article does not directly say estrogen is the cause of PCOS, the article does mention a lot of “troubling” evidence coming out which directly demonstrates that PCOS is easily induced by administrating a relatively low dose of estradiol (valerate)-an estrogen ester commonly used in contraceptive pills-for just 30 days! Many women take birth control pills with estradiol valerate for years and often decades. A quick Google search for “estradiol valerate PCOS” quickly returns 100s of scientific studies which discuss this at length. The apparently well-known role of estrogen in the pathology of PCOS and various anti-estrogenic interventions as potential treatment/cure are becoming obvious. A large number of non-western countries agree with the estrogen cause of PCOS and made significant advances toward treating/curing it. It certainly now appears that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder with inflammatory aspects that lead to lack of ovulation. Estrogen antagonists such as aspirin, progesterone, vitamins A/D/E-K, etc. maybe all viable anti-estrogenic interventions for those that have developed PCOS.