Study says stress can lead to ovarian cysts

Emotional stress can lead to the Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), according to a study conducted by Homeopathic Research Foundation.

According to Dr Girish Gupta, principal researcher and homeopathy practitioner, whose work has been recognised by the ministry of AYUSH, “Emotional stress triggers hormonal imbalance in women which leads to problems like PCOS” The connection between PCOS and emotional stress came to fore when the researchers studied the impact of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of PCOS.

The team studied 218 subjects over the past decade and the results suggest that homeopathy helped in resolving symptoms of PCOS in over 70 per cent of the patients.

Co-researcher Dr Richa Singh said, “The results, which showed complete resolution of a cyst in 68.8 per cent females and reduction in 19.2 per cent females, were verified and attested by medical practitioners and documented through diagnostic methods.”

The researchers claimed that all patients of PCOS were examined on a medical psycho-social scale to ascertain the exact cause of hormonal imbalance. Emotional stress was found to be the root of trouble in one-third of the cases.

Dr Gupta said that homeopathy believes that emotions initiate, precipitate or aggravate illnesses. Additionally, the root cause of most illnesses is primarily related to exploitation of emotions.

“We are now working on triggers of emotional stress in females in the 15-29 years age group. Preliminary results indicate that pressure to perform well in school or boards or crack a certain professional exam, failure or dissatisfaction in a romantic relationship, inability to strike a balance between home and office fronts or role-conflicts triggered hormonal imbalance in many girls”, the doctor explained.

According to the Lucknow Chapter of National Association of Reproductive and Child Health of India and the Lucknow Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society, PCOS affects every fifth woman in Lucknow in the 15-29 years age group.