Most women have heard of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) at some point in their lives. That said, this doesn’t mean that everyone knows what it is. In fact, there is quite a lot of confusion surrounding this endocrine disorder and what it entails.
What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder affecting women during their peak years for reproduction. Women with this condition have enlarged ovaries that contain multiple cysts. These small cysts are called follicles, because they are actually fluid collections within each ovary. Women with PCOS also produce excessive amounts of the hormone called Androgen. This is a male hormone that is also produced in healthy women’s bodies, but at lower levels.
There are a few symptoms that can make it easy to suspect that a woman has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. However, the only way to confirm it is through a doctor’s appointment as an ultrasound is required. The first symptoms of PCOS typically appear following a young woman’s first menstrual period. That said, they may occur at any time during their teen years or even later in life. Symptoms will frequently appear as a result of weight gain.
What Causes PCOS?
The true causes of PCOS are not fully known. Most women who have it are either overweight or obese. Women affected by it also tend to experience slight insulin resistance.
When body fat levels rise to a certain level, the fat can camouflage certain cells in the body, resulting in that insulin resistance. As a result, the pancreas works harder to produce additional insulin to respond to the body’s perceived need for more. However, this only leads to high levels of unnecessary insulin circulating in the bloodstream, causing various problems including raising androgen production.
What are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Complications due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome are more commonplace among women who are overweight or obese. These can include:
Heart disease
Infertility
Type II diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Endometrial cancer
Depression
Gestational diabetes
Is There a PCOS Cure?
When diagnosed and treated properly, PCOS can be nearly reversed in many cases. This requires a combination of weight management, nutrition, and sometimes medication. With the right treatment, women can decrease their symptoms to a level that is essentially undetectable. Due to the serious complications that are connected with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, as mentioned above, it is very important to detect this condition early so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Typically, a woman will need to lose between 5 and 10 percent of her body weight as a part of her PCOS treatment if she is overweight or obese. That said, the amount of weight that should be lost is unique to the individual. It’s important to follow a doctor’s directions in this area instead of guessing at the amount of weight you feel you need to lose to achieve your healthiest body in treating this condition.
Though there isn’t a specific PCOS diet, focusing on avoiding overly processed foods, reducing the intake of added sugars, and keeping daily food intake within a certain healthy calorie range you can establish with your doctor or a registered dietitian can be very helpful. Steps such as avoiding juice, soda, alcohol and sugary treats can be an important step to reducing your body’s insulin response to food. Calorie control will be important to regaining body weight control.
When a healthier body mass is achieved, periods often become more consistent and symptoms of this condition will significantly reduce.
Most women have heard of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) at some point in their lives. That said, this doesn’t mean that everyone knows what it is. In fact, there is quite a lot of confusion surrounding this endocrine disorder and what it entails.
What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder affecting women during their peak years for reproduction. Women with this condition have enlarged ovaries that contain multiple cysts. These small cysts are called follicles, because they are actually fluid collections within each ovary. Women with PCOS also produce excessive amounts of the hormone called Androgen. This is a male hormone that is also produced in healthy women’s bodies, but at lower levels.
There are a few symptoms that can make it easy to suspect that a woman has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. However, the only way to confirm it is through a doctor’s appointment as an ultrasound is required. The first symptoms of PCOS typically appear following a young woman’s first menstrual period. That said, they may occur at any time during their teen years or even later in life. Symptoms will frequently appear as a result of weight gain.
What Causes PCOS?
The true causes of PCOS are not fully known. Most women who have it are either overweight or obese. Women affected by it also tend to experience slight insulin resistance.
When body fat levels rise to a certain level, the fat can camouflage certain cells in the body, resulting in that insulin resistance. As a result, the pancreas works harder to produce additional insulin to respond to the body’s perceived need for more. However, this only leads to high levels of unnecessary insulin circulating in the bloodstream, causing various problems including raising androgen production.
What are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
The most common symptoms of PCOS can include:
Complications due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome are more commonplace among women who are overweight or obese. These can include:
Is There a PCOS Cure?
When diagnosed and treated properly, PCOS can be nearly reversed in many cases. This requires a combination of weight management, nutrition, and sometimes medication. With the right treatment, women can decrease their symptoms to a level that is essentially undetectable. Due to the serious complications that are connected with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, as mentioned above, it is very important to detect this condition early so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Typically, a woman will need to lose between 5 and 10 percent of her body weight as a part of her PCOS treatment if she is overweight or obese. That said, the amount of weight that should be lost is unique to the individual. It’s important to follow a doctor’s directions in this area instead of guessing at the amount of weight you feel you need to lose to achieve your healthiest body in treating this condition.
Though there isn’t a specific PCOS diet, focusing on avoiding overly processed foods, reducing the intake of added sugars, and keeping daily food intake within a certain healthy calorie range you can establish with your doctor or a registered dietitian can be very helpful. Steps such as avoiding juice, soda, alcohol and sugary treats can be an important step to reducing your body’s insulin response to food. Calorie control will be important to regaining body weight control.
When a healthier body mass is achieved, periods often become more consistent and symptoms of this condition will significantly reduce.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: How to Lose Weight with PCOS
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome FAQ: How Can I Lose Weight with PCOS?
on May 4, 2018Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome FAQ: How Can I Lose Weight with PCOS?
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