People were rigidly following rituals and customs ... too afraid to go against

[Guest guest]

, " michalis_9 "

<michalis_9> wrote:

>

> Apart from arguing whether SY works, we could discuss about

> various techniques we can use to cleanse our chacras, details

> concerning them and instructions on SY " ceremonies " such as Havan

> etc. I happen to know some, and once I collect them I shall send

> them if anyone is interested.

> Jai Shri Mataji

 

Michalis,

 

i doubt you understand what is happening and how conditioned SYs

have become about rituals and treatments, which have acquired cult-

like status and belief. No one seems to be bothered or even aware by

the fact that many have been invented by SYs, not revealed by Shri

Mataji. The ever popular candle havan is but the tip of the iceberg.

When it first burst on the scene in the 90s SYs were thrilled

through their tits. i just kept quiet and shook my head in

disbelief. How was it possible for a ceremony as sacred as the havan

be so easily corrupted, almost overnight, by stupid SYs claiming to

be self-realized souls? In that cleansing frenzy of the 90s to rid

the body of catches SYs readily accepted any innovation. The

invention of the candle havan could not have come earlier to

thousands of spiritually sick SYs huddling in temperate-zone homes

without fireplaces, as platoons of invisible bhoots attacked them

from every nook and cranny.

 

All these cleansing frenzies and innovative protection techniques

have taken its toll. SYs today are thus more like pandits who

perform strange rituals, SY techniques and ceremonies that non-

Hindus want nothing of. It has indeed reached the point of no return

................. to sanity. (Sahaja Yoga treatment techniques and

ceremonies are believed to be more powerful than the Mother

Kundalini, perhaps even the Shakti within, and no amount of arguing

can heal this insanity.)

 

That is why Semira's recent post is all the more foreboding, a

timely but frightening awakening as to what is in store to those who

will join the organization in future and succumb to WCASY and those

council members who claim to present Her Will .............. all the

more when Shri Mataji leaves. That is when people will rigidly

follow ever innovative rituals and customs, too afraid to go against

the people in charge. How can they dare go against the prescribed

rules and rituals by those who claim to be presenting the Will of

the Shakti to humanity? Such days are not too far now in future, or

far-fetched to be believed. After all, thousands readily accepted

and performed the candle havan which Shri Mataji never

sanctioned .... but was accepted because of the innovative will of a

single ignorant SY. Who then will go against the collective Will of

WCASY? ......... or tell them we must be honest and announce the Divine

Message to humanity?

 

Please read her post again.

 

regards,

 

 

jagbir

 

 

, " semirafields "

<semirafields> wrote:

>

> Dear Friends,

>

> As Violet has written below, we are living in very difficult and

> troubled times, and we should always be aware that the Shakti

> within is with us at all times, and is protecting us, whatever

> conditions of life have to be faced.

>

> I have thought much about what I am now to write, as I have

> experienced only goodness and kindness from my collective, and so

> have not had personal bad experiences or critisism such as others

> have written of.

>

> However, I have had an intense dream involving the SY

> organisation. Yet it seemed to be not in these present day times.

> This was a strange feeling. There were thousands of people,

> watching; all in what was an arena, made of a white stone. There

> was much stone, and alters made of stone. People were wearing

> robes, made of a kind of white cloth. It was in the middle of some

> kind of ceremony; everyone was following orders of the people in

> charge without daring to protest. There was an atmosphere of fear

> and oppression. People were rigidly following rituals and customs,

> even though the rituals and customs were humiliating, painful and

> harmful to individuals. Everyone was following things because that

> was how they had been taught, and were too afraid to go against

> the people in charge. From within me, I felt an immense anger and

> outrage well up; as I realised that Shri Mataji was no longer

> there (in person), and that the things that were being done were

> not what She had intended; but were twisted. (Just as the messages

> of all the Incarnations have been twisted, adapted and manipulated

> through all time.) The Spirit within is the true message of Sahaja

> Yoga. We must follow only the Spirit within, and leave the

> external structures behind. The danger is that people focus on the

> external structures only, and in doing so, go against and ignore

> the Spirit within. This was happening in the dream. In the dream,

> I began to speak and to plead with the crowds...for them to speak

> out against what is wrong, to protect individuals, and to make a

> stand as an individual for what is right.

>

> In the dream I felt the power of the Inner Voice, She compelled me

> to speak, overcoming fear and giving strength, as She will to each

> person who listens to their Inner Voice. This is written, as I

> have been compelled to write, to reach each individual that they

> may follow the Spirit within, as She leads them to protect what is

> innocent and true, and overcome all restrictions and fears.

>

> Love, Semira

>

>

[Guest guest]

Here is a post from a new Sahaja Yogi and what he has to say: -

 

Violet

 

 

-

chuckhennigan

Violet Tubb

Tuesday, September 06, 2005 10:24 AM

Rituals

 

 

Violet,

 

You and Jagbir are providing a wonderful testimony to the truth. I

cringed when these rituals are talked about by people on the web

site. I came upon this site quite truly by accident. I did not and

have not gone to Church in years. I do not want to be corrupted into

thinking rituals will get people into Heaven and realizing the true

Kingdom of God. It is only by realizing the Holy Spirit and a Bright

Light (God) Jagbir has referred to is in my physical body along with

my spirit that has transformed me as Jesus said (in a twinkling of

an eye). It has nothing to do with candles or rituals and if I

thought it did, I would turn away from S.Y. I believe Shri Mataji

Nirmala Devi is a prophet sent by God to enlighten people in these

last days. Self Realization and the cool breeze of the Holy Spirit

is real. I have witnessed it. The Holy Spirit is teaching me, (the

spirit), things everyday. The greatest gift I think I can give

people is Love. My Spirit has been conditioned by false teachings

from government schools, Churches, Governments themselves that it is

so hard for people's hearts not be hardened like stones. With the

help of the Holy Spirit, I am trying to break away from these

conditionings. This cannot be done by anyone else. It has to come

from within.

I wanted to thank you and Jagbir for your truly wonderful work.

 

Thank You Again,

 

Chuck

 

 

, " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

> , " michalis_9 "

> <michalis_9> wrote:

> >

> > Apart from arguing whether SY works, we could discuss about

> > various techniques we can use to cleanse our chacras, details

> > concerning them and instructions on SY " ceremonies " such as

Havan

> > etc. I happen to know some, and once I collect them I shall send

> > them if anyone is interested.

> > Jai Shri Mataji

>

> Michalis,

>

> i doubt you understand what is happening and how conditioned SYs

> have become about rituals and treatments, which have acquired cult-

> like status and belief. No one seems to be bothered or even aware

by

> the fact that many have been invented by SYs, not revealed by Shri

> Mataji. The ever popular candle havan is but the tip of the

iceberg.

> When it first burst on the scene in the 90s SYs were thrilled

> through their tits. i just kept quiet and shook my head in

> disbelief. How was it possible for a ceremony as sacred as the

havan

> be so easily corrupted, almost overnight, by stupid SYs claiming

to

> be self-realized souls? In that cleansing frenzy of the 90s to rid

> the body of catches SYs readily accepted any innovation. The

> invention of the candle havan could not have come earlier to

> thousands of spiritually sick SYs huddling in temperate-zone homes

> without fireplaces, as platoons of invisible bhoots attacked them

> from every nook and cranny.

>

> All these cleansing frenzies and innovative protection techniques

> have taken its toll. SYs today are thus more like pandits who

> perform strange rituals, SY techniques and ceremonies that non-

> Hindus want nothing of. It has indeed reached the point of no

return

> ................ to sanity. (Sahaja Yoga treatment techniques and

> ceremonies are believed to be more powerful than the Mother

> Kundalini, perhaps even the Shakti within, and no amount of

arguing

> can heal this insanity.)

>

> That is why Semira's recent post is all the more foreboding, a

> timely but frightening awakening as to what is in store to those

who

> will join the organization in future and succumb to WCASY and

those

> council members who claim to present Her Will .............. all

the

> more when Shri Mataji leaves. That is when people will rigidly

> follow ever innovative rituals and customs, too afraid to go

against

> the people in charge. How can they dare go against the prescribed

> rules and rituals by those who claim to be presenting the Will of

> the Shakti to humanity? Such days are not too far now in future,

or

> far-fetched to be believed. After all, thousands readily accepted

> and performed the candle havan which Shri Mataji never

> sanctioned .... but was accepted because of the innovative will of

a

> single ignorant SY. Who then will go against the collective Will

of

> WCASY? ......... or tell them we must be honest and announce

the Divine Message to humanity?

>

> Please read her post again.

>

> regards,

>

>

> jagbir

>

>

> , " semirafields "

> <semirafields> wrote:

> >

> > Dear Friends,

> >

> > As Violet has written below, we are living in very difficult and

> > troubled times, and we should always be aware that the Shakti

> > within is with us at all times, and is protecting us, whatever

> > conditions of life have to be faced.

> >

> > I have thought much about what I am now to write, as I have

> > experienced only goodness and kindness from my collective, and

so

> > have not had personal bad experiences or critisism such as

others

> > have written of.

> >

> > However, I have had an intense dream involving the SY

> > organisation. Yet it seemed to be not in these present day

times.

> > This was a strange feeling. There were thousands of people,

> > watching; all in what was an arena, made of a white stone. There

> > was much stone, and alters made of stone. People were wearing

> > robes, made of a kind of white cloth. It was in the middle of

some

> > kind of ceremony; everyone was following orders of the people in

> > charge without daring to protest. There was an atmosphere of

fear

> > and oppression. People were rigidly following rituals and

customs,

> > even though the rituals and customs were humiliating, painful

and

> > harmful to individuals. Everyone was following things because

that

> > was how they had been taught, and were too afraid to go against

> > the people in charge. From within me, I felt an immense anger

and

> > outrage well up; as I realised that Shri Mataji was no longer

> > there (in person), and that the things that were being done were

> > not what She had intended; but were twisted. (Just as the

messages

> > of all the Incarnations have been twisted, adapted and

manipulated

> > through all time.) The Spirit within is the true message of

Sahaja

> > Yoga. We must follow only the Spirit within, and leave the

> > external structures behind. The danger is that people focus on

the

> > external structures only, and in doing so, go against and ignore

> > the Spirit within. This was happening in the dream. In the

dream,

> > I began to speak and to plead with the crowds...for them to

speak

> > out against what is wrong, to protect individuals, and to make a

> > stand as an individual for what is right.

> >

> > In the dream I felt the power of the Inner Voice, She compelled

me

> > to speak, overcoming fear and giving strength, as She will to

each

> > person who listens to their Inner Voice. This is written, as I

> > have been compelled to write, to reach each individual that they

> > may follow the Spirit within, as She leads them to protect what

is

> > innocent and true, and overcome all restrictions and fears.

> >

> > Love, Semira

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jagbir, Violet and all,

 

That is amazing to hear that some rituals were invented by Sahaja

yogis and never sanction by Shri Mataji at all. That honestly makes

me quite upset that people, especially supposed " enlightened souls "

would do such a thing to misguide the seekers and people who desire

there spiritual destiny , which seems like a complete violation of

anything spiritual.

 

I am aware that these " rituals " , the ones actually brought to us by

Shri Mataji herself, were only to be used in the beginning stages to

help one get into thoughtless awareness and clear out things that

blocking the flow of kundalini and prevent meditation, which once

that is done and thoughtless awareness can be enter more easily, are

to be put aside and only focus on the kundalini herself, the holy

spirit, was to be used to grow and to clear any blockages. With that

being said, I was curious as to which cleansing rituals were

actually sanctioned by Shri Mataji for the purpose of building only

initial balance and thoughtless awareness?

 

It probably is not something persons at this site would want to post

because it may emphasize the rituals themselves, which direct

attention away from what is the truth of the matter: that being that

only focusing on the kundalini within, communing with the holy

spirit within, can help a yogi to grow and can quite easily take

care of any and all trouble and blockages, and that rituals are

really not needed at all. Keeping that in mind, I think it would

also be beneficial to know which rituals are truly rituals that Shri

Mataji has said can be used only when absolutely necessary for the

above mention reasons and which ones have been invented by SY's who

either had good intentions initially, or who were using it in a more

despicable manner, which we probably will never know.

 

It seems to me that is could be of some benefit specifically for new

comers to Sahaja Yoga who don't have an inquiring mind to the same

degree " Chuck " who's email violet posted does, or who have weak

intuition or a predisposition to believe without questioning.

 

It may be impossible to reverse the damage done by

the " organization " but since it has been said that collectives are

needed to help people clear out and heal fast(in some cases

absolutly necessary for such things),especially people who are and

were as messed up as me, and had/have lots of things to clear up

like Violet has mentioned of herself in part in many of her posts,

not to mention learn the techniques, it would at least arm them with

some defenssive knowledge against the corruption that currently

exists.

 

If no post it publically, I would at least like to know personally

which are real and which are not of Shri Mataji's Blessings, as well

as any techniques that were created to the detriment of the truth. I

can be emailed at the above address if it is decided that publically

posting it might not be the best decision.

 

regards.

 

kyyan

, " Violet " <vtubb@b...>

wrote:

> Here is a post from a new Sahaja Yogi and what he has to say: -

>

> Violet

>

>

> -

> chuckhennigan@b...

> Violet Tubb

> Tuesday, September 06, 2005 10:24 AM

> Rituals

>

>

> Violet,

>

> You and Jagbir are providing a wonderful testimony to the truth. I

> cringed when these rituals are talked about by people on the web

> site. I came upon this site quite truly by accident. I did not and

> have not gone to Church in years. I do not want to be corrupted

into

> thinking rituals will get people into Heaven and realizing the

true

> Kingdom of God. It is only by realizing the Holy Spirit and a

Bright

> Light (God) Jagbir has referred to is in my physical body along

with

> my spirit that has transformed me as Jesus said (in a twinkling of

> an eye). It has nothing to do with candles or rituals and if I

> thought it did, I would turn away from S.Y. I believe Shri Mataji

> Nirmala Devi is a prophet sent by God to enlighten people in these

> last days. Self Realization and the cool breeze of the Holy Spirit

> is real. I have witnessed it. The Holy Spirit is teaching me, (the

> spirit), things everyday. The greatest gift I think I can give

> people is Love. My Spirit has been conditioned by false teachings

> from government schools, Churches, Governments themselves that it

is

> so hard for people's hearts not be hardened like stones. With the

> help of the Holy Spirit, I am trying to break away from these

> conditionings. This cannot be done by anyone else. It has to come

> from within.

> I wanted to thank you and Jagbir for your truly wonderful work.

>

> Thank You Again,

>

> Chuck

>

>

> , " jagbir singh "

> <adishakti_org> wrote:

> > , " michalis_9 "

> > <michalis_9> wrote:

> > >

> > > Apart from arguing whether SY works, we could discuss about

> > > various techniques we can use to cleanse our chacras, details

> > > concerning them and instructions on SY " ceremonies " such as

> Havan

> > > etc. I happen to know some, and once I collect them I shall

send

> > > them if anyone is interested.

> > > Jai Shri Mataji

> >

> > Michalis,

> >

> > i doubt you understand what is happening and how conditioned SYs

> > have become about rituals and treatments, which have acquired

cult-

> > like status and belief. No one seems to be bothered or even

aware

> by

> > the fact that many have been invented by SYs, not revealed by

Shri

> > Mataji. The ever popular candle havan is but the tip of the

> iceberg.

> > When it first burst on the scene in the 90s SYs were thrilled

> > through their tits. i just kept quiet and shook my head in

> > disbelief. How was it possible for a ceremony as sacred as the

> havan

> > be so easily corrupted, almost overnight, by stupid SYs claiming

> to

> > be self-realized souls? In that cleansing frenzy of the 90s to

rid

> > the body of catches SYs readily accepted any innovation. The

> > invention of the candle havan could not have come earlier to

> > thousands of spiritually sick SYs huddling in temperate-zone

homes

> > without fireplaces, as platoons of invisible bhoots attacked

them

> > from every nook and cranny.

> >

> > All these cleansing frenzies and innovative protection

techniques

> > have taken its toll. SYs today are thus more like pandits who

> > perform strange rituals, SY techniques and ceremonies that non-

> > Hindus want nothing of. It has indeed reached the point of no

> return

> > ................ to sanity. (Sahaja Yoga treatment techniques

and

> > ceremonies are believed to be more powerful than the Mother

> > Kundalini, perhaps even the Shakti within, and no amount of

> arguing

> > can heal this insanity.)

> >

> > That is why Semira's recent post is all the more foreboding, a

> > timely but frightening awakening as to what is in store to those

> who

> > will join the organization in future and succumb to WCASY and

> those

> > council members who claim to present Her Will .............. all

> the

> > more when Shri Mataji leaves. That is when people will rigidly

> > follow ever innovative rituals and customs, too afraid to go

> against

> > the people in charge. How can they dare go against the

prescribed

> > rules and rituals by those who claim to be presenting the Will

of

> > the Shakti to humanity? Such days are not too far now in future,

> or

> > far-fetched to be believed. After all, thousands readily

accepted

> > and performed the candle havan which Shri Mataji never

> > sanctioned .... but was accepted because of the innovative will

of

> a

> > single ignorant SY. Who then will go against the collective Will

> of

> > WCASY? ......... or tell them we must be honest and announce

> the Divine Message to humanity?

> >

> > Please read her post again.

> >

> > regards,

> >

> >

> > jagbir

> >

> >

> > , " semirafields "

> > <semirafields> wrote:

> > >

> > > Dear Friends,

> > >

> > > As Violet has written below, we are living in very difficult

and

> > > troubled times, and we should always be aware that the Shakti

> > > within is with us at all times, and is protecting us, whatever

> > > conditions of life have to be faced.

> > >

> > > I have thought much about what I am now to write, as I have

> > > experienced only goodness and kindness from my collective, and

> so

> > > have not had personal bad experiences or critisism such as

> others

> > > have written of.

> > >

> > > However, I have had an intense dream involving the SY

> > > organisation. Yet it seemed to be not in these present day

> times.

> > > This was a strange feeling. There were thousands of people,

> > > watching; all in what was an arena, made of a white stone.

There

> > > was much stone, and alters made of stone. People were wearing

> > > robes, made of a kind of white cloth. It was in the middle of

> some

> > > kind of ceremony; everyone was following orders of the people

in

> > > charge without daring to protest. There was an atmosphere of

> fear

> > > and oppression. People were rigidly following rituals and

> customs,

> > > even though the rituals and customs were humiliating, painful

> and

> > > harmful to individuals. Everyone was following things because

> that

> > > was how they had been taught, and were too afraid to go

against

> > > the people in charge. From within me, I felt an immense anger

> and

> > > outrage well up; as I realised that Shri Mataji was no longer

> > > there (in person), and that the things that were being done

were

> > > not what She had intended; but were twisted. (Just as the

> messages

> > > of all the Incarnations have been twisted, adapted and

> manipulated

> > > through all time.) The Spirit within is the true message of

> Sahaja

> > > Yoga. We must follow only the Spirit within, and leave the

> > > external structures behind. The danger is that people focus on

> the

> > > external structures only, and in doing so, go against and

ignore

> > > the Spirit within. This was happening in the dream. In the

> dream,

> > > I began to speak and to plead with the crowds...for them to

> speak

> > > out against what is wrong, to protect individuals, and to make

a

> > > stand as an individual for what is right.

> > >

> > > In the dream I felt the power of the Inner Voice, She

compelled

> me

> > > to speak, overcoming fear and giving strength, as She will to

> each

> > > person who listens to their Inner Voice. This is written, as I

> > > have been compelled to write, to reach each individual that

they

> > > may follow the Spirit within, as She leads them to protect

what

> is

> > > innocent and true, and overcome all restrictions and fears.

> > >

> > > Love, Semira

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

, " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

>

> All these cleansing frenzies and innovative protection techniques

> have taken its toll. SYs today are thus more like pandits who

> perform strange rituals, SY techniques and ceremonies that non-

> Hindus want nothing of. It has indeed reached the point of no

> return ................ to sanity. (Sahaja Yoga treatment

> techniques and ceremonies are believed to be more powerful than

> the Mother Kundalini, perhaps even the Shakti within, and no

> amount of arguing can heal this insanity.)

>

>

 

 

shaku Tandale <shatandale

Tue Sep 6, 2005 6:44 am

over weight

 

Dear Bindu

 

I think you are over weight. So mainly use candle

treatment it will help you rather then footsoak. Keep

left hand towards Mother's picture & right hand on the

gound, to Balance your left side. Also use 3 candle

treatment & with 4th keep raising Kundalini.

 

JSM. Aunty Shaku

 

I have been suffering from polycystic overy and

hormone imbalance because of which my body weight has

come up to 83 kg. I do meditation and salt water

treatment every day. Can you advise me if any methods

to overcome it.

 

best regards

 

Bindu Nambiar

 

 

divinesahajayoga/message/3536

 

 

And the patented innovations and breathtaking discoveries continue

to awe the world. Just two days ago some prominent SYs made a mind-

boggling weight-loss/cure for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. i doubt

Shri Mataji ever said what Aunty Shaku seems to be telling others

with an obvious air of authority. Why don't subtle system SYs quote Her saying

say? i do not mind advising others to leave the healing to the

Divine/Shakti/Kundalini within but there is a limit to advertising

self-concocted ritual cures for all types of diseases.

 

But who really wants to stop this sanctioned corruption of Her

teachings and the embarassing cure-all rituals? ...... or enlighten

that it is your pure desire and attention, not chillies, lemons and

candles that heal and cure? So when is Aunty Shaku going to publish

her findings in the New England Journal of Medicine? i too want to know how the

mere waving of candles can reduce weight and cure obviously incurable diseases.

(Let's not talk prematurely about the phenomenal rise in the number of SYs that

will result from hundreds of millions of overweight humans gate-crashing our

public programs. Can someone first inform WCASY of this wonderful news since

they will not believe an excommunicated SY night soil carrier like me?)

 

rituals, rituals and ever more innovative rituals,

 

 

jagbir

 

BTW, wouldn't Bindu Nambiar be better off listening to Steven

Dowshen, MD?

 

 

 

--------------------

 

What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

 

You can't see them, hear them, or feel them, but the hormones that

regulate a girl's reproductive system make themselves known in many

ways - they are responsible for her periods, breast development, and

other aspects of becoming a woman.

 

Both girls and guys produce hormones called androgens (pronounced:

an-druh-junz), which play a role in sexual function. Although

androgens are sometimes referred to as male hormones, every female

produces them, too.

 

In girls with PCOS, the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts

of androgens, and this can interfere with egg development and

release. Some of the eggs develop into cysts (pronounced: sists),

which are little sacs filled with liquid. Instead of being released

during ovulation, as an egg is during a normal menstrual cycle, the

cysts build up in the ovaries and may become enlarged. Because of

the way the cyst production interferes with the menstrual cycle,

it's common for girls and women with PCOS to have irregular or

missed periods.

 

Although PCOS (which used to be called Stein-Leventhal syndrome) was

first recognized in the 1930s, doctors can't say for sure what

causes it. Research has suggested that PCOS may be related to

increased insulin production in the body. Women with PCOS may

produce too much insulin, which signals their ovaries to release

extra male hormones. PCOS seems to run in families, too, so if

someone on your mom's or dad's side of the family has it, you might

be more likely to develop it.

 

If PCOS is not treated properly, it can put a girl at risk for lots

of problems, such as infertility, excessive hair growth, acne,

diabetes, heart disease, abnormal bleeding from the uterus, and

cancer. The good news is that, although there's no cure for PCOS, it

can be treated. The most important step is diagnosing the condition,

because when a girl gets treatment for PCOS, her chances of having

serious side effects are reduced.

 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

 

A key sign of PCOS is irregular or missed periods because the

effects of the condition on the ovaries can make a girl stop

ovulating. However, because it can take up to 2 years after her

first period for a girl's menstrual cycle to become regular, missed

periods may not be a reliable sign of PCOS in teen girls. Imbalanced

hormone levels can cause changes in a girl's entire body, not just

her ovaries, so doctors also look for these other signs that might

indicate PCOS:

 

abdominal discomfort or, in girls who have their periods, severe

premenstrual symptoms such as cramping, bloating, and irritability

very heavy periods weight gain, obesity, or difficulty maintaining a

normal weight a condition called hirsutism (pronounced: her-suh-tiz-

um), where a girl grows extra hair on her face, chest, abdomen,

nipple area, or back (a little of this is normal for most girls,

though) thinning hair on the head (doctors call this alopecia)

acne and clogged pores darkened, thickened skin around the neck,

armpits, or breasts high blood pressure Girls who show certain signs

of puberty early - such as girls who develop underarm or pubic hair

before the age of 8 - may be at greater risk of having PCOS later on.

 

How Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosed?

 

If you've taken your concerns about your body to your doctor, you're

on the right track. Your doctor may refer you to a gynecologist

(pronounced: guy-nuh-kah-luh-jist, a doctor who specializes in the

female reproductive system), or an endocrinologist (pronounced: en-

duh-kra-nah-luh-jist, a doctor who specializes in hormonal

problems), for a diagnosis. The gynecologist or endocrinologist will

ask you about any concerns and symptoms you have, your past health,

your family's health, any medications you're taking, any allergies

you may have, and other issues. He or she will also ask you lots of

questions specifically about your period and its regularity. This is

called the medical history. In addition to your medical history,

your doctor will do a physical examination, which includes checking

your weight, and checking especially for physical signs such as

acne, hair growth, and darkened skin.

 

A doctor may also perform blood tests to diagnose PCOS or to rule

out other conditions, such as thyroid or other ovarian or gland

problems. Blood tests allow doctors to measure insulin and other

hormone levels. The results of these tests can help doctors to

determine the type of treatment a girl will receive. Your doctor may

also order another test, called an ultrasound, to look at your

ovaries and to determine if you have cysts or other abnormalities of

the ovaries. Because cysts are not always visible, though, this test

is not always used.

 

Early diagnosis and treatment for PCOS are important because the

condition can put girls at risk for long-term problems. Getting

treated for PCOS is a good idea if you want to have a baby someday -

PCOS often causes infertility if it's not treated. But when PCOS is

treated properly, many women with the condition have healthy babies.

 

How Is It Treated?

 

Although there's no cure for PCOS, there are several ways that the

condition can be treated and managed.

 

If a girl is overweight or obese, a doctor will recommend that she

lose weight. Weight loss can be very effective in lessening many of

the health conditions associated with PCOS, such as high blood

pressure and diabetes. Sometimes weight loss alone can restore

hormone levels to normal, causing many of the symptoms to disappear

or become less severe. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can

look at your food intake and your exercise and activity to tailor a

weight-loss program for you. Exercise is a great way to help combat

the weight gain that often accompanies PCOS as well as a way to

reduce bloating, another symptom girls with PCOS often experience.

 

Sometimes doctors prescribe medications to treat PCOS. A doctor

might first have a girl try birth control pills to help reduce the

androgen levels in her body and regulate her menstrual cycle. Birth

control pills may help control acne and excessive hair growth in

some girls, but they don't work for everyone.

 

Other medications used to treat PCOS include antiandrogens, which

counter the effects of excess androgens on a girl's body.

Antiandrogens can help clear up skin and hair growth problems in

girls with PCOS. Another medication, metformin, which is used to

treat diabetes, can lower insulin levels. In some girls with PCOS,

it can help control ovulation and androgen levels. This can make a

girl's menstrual cycles more regular. Some girls and women treated

with metformin have also experienced weight loss and lowering of

high blood pressure.

 

Coping With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

 

Having PCOS can be hard on a girl's self-esteem because some of the

symptoms, such as skin and hair problems and weight gain, are so

noticeable. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce the

physical symptoms - and take care of the emotional side of living

with PCOS.

 

Although the medications used to treat PCOS will slow down or stop

excessive hair growth for many girls, there are lots of different

types of products available to help a girl get rid of hair where she

doesn't want it. Depilatory creams can gently remove facial hair on

the upper lip or chin. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully

so you don't develop a rash or allergic reaction. Tweezing and

waxing are other things you can do at home to manage hair growth. A

girl can also visit a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in

skin problems) or qualified hair removal specialist for electrolysis

and laser surgery treatments. Both of these procedures offer longer

term removal of unwanted hair, although they are more expensive.

 

If you have severe acne as a symptom of PCOS, it may improve if part

of your treatment includes birth control pills or antiandrogens. If

it doesn't, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for further

acne treatment. A dermatologist may also be able to recommend

medications to help reduce skin darkening or discoloration.

 

Some girls with PCOS may become depressed, in which case it may help

to talk to a therapist or other mental health professional. Talking

with other teens and women with PCOS is a great way to share

information about treatment and get support. Your doctor may be able

to recommend a local support group. If you can't find a local group,

the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association offers a " Big Cyster "

program for teen girls as well as online message boards. If you

join, you'll be hooked up with other women or teen girls with PCOS

to whom you can turn for advice, support, or just a listening ear.

 

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD

Date reviewed: March 2004