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Testing, Testing 123: Phlebotomy Basics

When my mother underwent chemotherapy, we spent a lot of time visiting the phlebotomy lab for blood testing. I was always impressed by how easily the phlebotomist was able to find and puncture a vein to draw blood on the first try. I knew there had to be a method to it, and was astounded by how effortless and painless they made the process. It led me to research a lot about blood tests, from drawing to the actual screening. I've created this site to share what I've learned in the hopes of teaching others. The more you understand, the more control you can have over your own health care.

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Testing, Testing 123: Phlebotomy Basics

Alternative Treatments To Consider For PCOS

by Francisco Arnold

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a little-known albeit common health issue that women can face. It can cause a wide array of symptoms including acne, pain, irregular menses, hirsutism, and more. The main treatments for this condition include birth control pills and other medications to help regulate hormone levels. However, these treatments do not always address all of the symptoms that a woman may experience due to PCOS. Get to know some alternative treatment options that can help you if you are struggling with PCOS. Then, you can use these options in conjunction with more standard treatments to create a more holistic and comprehensive treatment program for you and your PCOS. 

Drink Spearmint Tea

One of the problems associated with PCOS is excess testosterone. Many women with this condition suffer the effects of high testosterone levels including hair loss (balding) and hirsutism. Hirsutism is actually hair growth, particularly on the face but also elsewhere on the body including the back and chest. Women with PCOS may have both hair loss and hirsutism because of their elevated testosterone. 

A natural way to try to reduce the amount of testosterone in the body is to drink spearmint tea. Spearmint is naturally anti-androgen (male sex hormones), which means that it can help to counter those high androgen levels in the body and reduce male sex hormones in women with PCOS. 

Drinking spearmint tea daily can have a positive effect on the androgen-related symptoms that can greatly affect a woman's life. You can purchase spearmint tea in pre-made bags or you can make your own by growing a spearmint plant and utilizing the leaves. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an alternative medicine treatment that originally comes from China. It has been around for thousands of years and is used to treat a wide array of symptoms and conditions. 

The idea behind acupuncture is that there are energies that flow throughout the body. When a person has negative health issues, those energies are not flowing properly. An acupuncturist will talk to their patient about the issues they are having, do an examination, and determine which energies need to be treated. They treat those energy flow issues using small needles inserted into specific points in the body. 

Acupuncture can help with a variety of issues regarding PCOS. Pain is one such issue. Women with PCOS often experience pelvic pain as well as pain from ovarian cysts themselves. Going to an acupuncturist can help to reduce that pain. Many women also seek out acupuncture treatments for fertility issues, acne, menstrual irregularities and more. 

Now that you know a few alternative treatments to consider for PCOS, you can give them a try as soon as possible. For more information, reach out to doctors like Dr L.B. Grotte.

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