Fertility Expert: How to Manage PCOS
Do you suffer from weight problems, acne, low energy levels, fatigue, depression, irregular periods or excess facial or body hair? If the answer is yes to one or more of these conditions, then it may be worth asking your doctor to check whether or not you have PCO or PCOS.
Pcos is thought to be caused by an imbalance of hormones, which can lead to a number of tiny empty follicles forming on the ovary which are known as cysts. PCOS is not the same as an ovarian cyst, which there is usually only one of and which can grow to a size that interferes with the function of the ovary.
PCOS is sometimes linked to high levels of insulin in the blood, which is caused by insulin resistance. Insulin is released by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels in the body, telling cells to store or release energy. However, if the cells do not respond then they are known as insulin resistant and the pancreas has to produce more insulin in order to make the cells respond.
High levels of insulin can cause the ovaries to produce a significant amount of male hormones, known as androgens, which include testosterone. High testosterone can lead to acne, excess facial and body hair growth and can raise the risk of diabetes. Excess male hormones can also lead to irregular periods.
Diet, lifestyle and Stress
Diet, lifestyle and stress levels can all influence PCOS. So if you want to keep your blood sugar leveals steady and improve your hormone balance, then good nutrition can be helpful.
The first rule is to eat five times a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a healthy snack mid morning and another one mid afternoon.
The Ivfworld Stone Age Diet for making babies tells you the basics and gives you an example of a daily menu. The Stone Age diet can help if you suffer from PCOS or if you simply want to improve your health. Click here for more Diet Information.
Exercise, as long as it's moderate, such as walking or swimming three times a week, can also be helpful. Stess is another factor. It can overwork the adrenal glands causing them to produce excess amounts of adrenaline and testosterone, which can lead to insulin resistance, irregular periods, acne, insomnia and weight gain. Meditation, yoga and acupuncture are just three ideas of what you could do to tackle this. Click here to post a message for members to ask them what has helped them manage their stress.
Medication
It is a well known fact that taking the pill can reduce PCOS symptoms. You will have heard that the pill, for example, can often help women who suffer from acne. The good news is that it can also help reduce the number of cysts in the ovaries of a woman with PCOS. The drawback is that the pill may deplete certain vitamins and minerals in your body, so you may want to ask your doctor or a nutritionist whether it is an idea to take supplements.
One woman, who suffers from PCOS and used to have irregular periods during which she didn't always ovulate, told ivfworld.com: "After a series of infertility treatments, I changed my diet, started exercising regularly which helps manage PCOS and took the drug Metformin which is used by some doctors to manage diabetes."
She added: "Metformin can have side effects like feeling nauseous, but my body slowly adjusted to it. I started ovulating. It also helps with symptoms like weight control because it reduces your appetite, decreases acne and hair growth so improves your appearance, and helped me to get pregnant."
She continued: "It isn't a cure for the underlying condition, but it helps regulate your body's hormonal levels. In my case, it brought back regular periods and ovulation."
The basic message is that improving your diet, lifestyle and stress levels can make a real difference to the underlying symptoms of PCOS and help to improve your health if you are not suffering from this condition. If you suspect you have PCOS or need a medical opinion, then it is in your interests to contact a doctor who may prescribe you medication. Click here to make a comment, ask a question or talk to other members.
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