What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. It can affect girls as young as the age of 11. It’s not a disease, but rather a syndrome. The sooner you figure out if this is what you have, the earlier you can begin treatment.
Symptoms
PCOS shows multiple symptoms, but the most common ones are irregular periods, heavy bleeding, excess hair growth, acne, and difficulty losing weight.
- Irregular Period
Your ovaries may not regularly release eggs (ovulate) as they should if you have PCOS. Blocked fallopian tubes can prevent fertilized eggs from implanting in the uterus. - Heavy Bleeding
You may notice heavy bleeding during your period if you have PCOS. Polycystic ovaries are enlarged through the thin skin on top of your ovaries. It can cause pain when they press against other organs or tissues in your body. - Excess Hair Growth
Experts call this symptom hirsutism. Hirsutism can be seen as rough, dark hair that may appear on the face, chest, abdomen, back, upper arms, or upper legs. This is normally caused by androgen hormones. - Acne
Just like excessive hair growth, excess androgen is also the culprit behind acne breakout. More oil is made because of the hormones. You may observe acne on your face, back, neck, and even on your chest. - Difficulty Losing Weight
It is hard to lose weight when you have PCOS because of insulin resistance and inflammation. Losing weight can reduce the symptoms of PCOS, especially for those who are overweight. - Inflammation
PCOS patients have certain markers in their blood that manifests via inflammation. Inflammation is the natural response to threats, such as injuries and viruses, but with PCOS you can have chronic inflammation which is not good for you.
So what causes PCOS?
The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown. Experts suggest that several factors, which include genetics and insulin resistance, play a role.
Determining the cause may help in identifying the right treatment.
- Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is one cause of physical imbalances in most cases of PCOS. It happens when your pancreas needs to pump excess insulin. This usually happens as a response to the high sugar levels in the blood. Insulin lowers your blood sugar by storing the glucose in cells.
- Genetics
In some cases, it may be possible to identify the underlying cause of PCOS through genetic testing. However, this is not always possible because many people with the condition do not have any known family history of PCOS or other related conditions such as diabetes.
Lifestyle Tips to Treat PCOS
Diet
- Low GI Food
These are the foods that do not cause insulin levels to increase quickly. Legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables have a low GI. Low carbs should be your go-to snack and meal. Limit or eliminate all grains and processed foods. - Anti-inflammation
Anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, extra virgin olive oil, berries, and leafy greens need to be your every day food choices. This will greatly reduce inflammation.
Exercise
Take it easy. Moderate exercises like jogging, brisk walking, swimming, and even cycling is the recommended exercise for women with PCOS. These activities help your bodies to be sensitive to insulin. Try not to over exercise as that can stress your body and increase cortisol, which is your stress hormone. Strike a good balance and do a variety of physical activities. Do some movement at least 6 days a week that makes your happy and that you enjoy doing.
Weight Loss
Weight loss can be achieved through the combination of proper diet and exercise. Focus on fiber rich foods and lots of veggies. It is also recommended to exercise first, before you eat. This helps in releasing stored energy, before your body takes in new food. Check in with your body, eat slowly and stop when you’re almost full. It takes your stomach and brain 20 minutes to communicate that you’ve eaten enough. If you eat too quickly, you will over eat.
PCOS is a complex and often frustrating condition, but there are resources that can help. You can manage the inconvenience it brings using the tips above. Multiple possible treatment options are available for PCOS. Talk to your doctor for early detection and treatment.
I have helped many women with a variety of hormonal issues with both acupuncture and functional medicine. If you need help, let’s chat. We can make a plan and get you on a path to feeling better and balancing your hormones.
