Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCO)

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"'PCO] is something of a mystery--we don't yet know what causes it or the best way to treat it."-----Dr. Andrea Dunaif, Chief of the Division of Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston.

That was on July 25, 1998. Since then we checked the medical literature and found precious little more. (3/25/01,) we also called a scientist and endocrinologist who said, "There is no standard treatment." When pressed for suggestions, he had none.

So what's to do--short of the surgery sometimes done? PCO is caused by an over-production of the male hormone, testosterone, and often manifests itself in facial hair, acne, weight gain and even infertility.
We do not offer medical advice. But it does seem that to reduce testosterone, it may be helpful to use a substance, preferably a harmless one, that reduces the conversion of testosterone in the body to dihydrotestosterone, the active form.

What does that are called (more heavy words,) 5-a reductase inhibitors, whose action aids in reducing hair loss and urinary retention in men. It is called finasteride. and is found in Proscar and Propecia. One should ask one's physician about this.

Are there foods that do the same thing? Fortunately, yes. One. Soy beans contain genistein, which is also a 5-a reductase inhibitor.

DETAILS: The condition in men that leads to premature hair loss and urinary retention, even to pain during urination is called BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia (whew!)