Managing PCOS
There has been a tremendous amount of media coverage about the growing obesity epidemic and the need to change diet and exercise habits. This is particularly true of women with PCOS because they are more prone to health complications related to their heart and blood sugar.
Making changes to your diet and exercise habits can help reduce your risk for future health complications related to PCOS. You don’t need to completely eliminate one food type or another, but you will need to work to reduce the amount of sugar (white, processed sugar) that you eat, and increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider working with a registered dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in PCOS.
You should also incorporate some form of regular exercise into your routine. Start slow and work your way up as you are able. Make sure to discuss your new exercise plan with your healthcare provider.
Treatment for PCOS
Treating PCOS involves managing the symptoms and your particular goals. If you are bothered by an increase in hair growth or loss, acne, or other physical symptoms, there are medications, like spironolactone and the birth control pill, available to treat them. You can take specific acne or hair loss medications as well.
If you aren’t getting a regular period, this can increase your risk of endometrial cancer. Taking the pill will cause your cycles to regulate, minimizing your risk. If you are trying to get pregnant, again, your gynecologist or infertility specialist can prescribe a treatment program to help you.
If you are struggling to lose weight and are insulin resistant, you may benefit from treatment with metformin or inositol.
While PCOS will never go away, managing it can prevent it from getting worse or developing into more serious diseases. The important thing is to understand the syndrome and what your treatment goals are. Speak with your healthcare provider as necessary and make sure those goals are addressed.
