Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

[Magpie_1]

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome or functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, is a complex endocrine disorder associated with a long-term lack of ovulation (anovulation) and an excess of androgens (male hormones, e.g., testosterone.)

This syndrome affects approximately 5% of women. I am one of them. Recently I just found out that Kate from the TLC TV show titled John and Kate Plus Eight also has PCOS. That got me wondering how many other women could I find that has been diagnosed with this. Personally I haven't run into any other women with PCOS. It gets me feeling at times that I'm the only one. Are there any women here that has PCOS? Or is anyone friends with someone or related with someone that has been diagnosed with this syndrome?

[Dammitall]

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2000 following a few episodes where I would go for several months without getting a period and then bleed for up to two months straight. I've been prescribed birth control several times to get my cycle regular again. Admittedly I am not the most disciplined when it comes to staying on medication, so I would go through a prescription's worth of pills, get myself regular and stop taking them, at which point my irregularity would start up again. Even though I know this pattern can't be good for me at all, I've also never felt 100% comfortable with taking the BC pills either, in part because they may only address one set of the syndrome's symptoms.

I have heard that PCOS is related in some way to insulin resistance and possibly also connected to diet and carbohydrate (HCFS) intake as well. While I would ideally love to be able to tackle this myself by making some drastic changes to my diet instead of being on medication, I'm considering talking to my doctor about going on Metformin, which might do a better job at addressing the root causes of PCOS than birth control can.

[Magpie_1]

I was originally prescribed birth control my doctors then switched me over to Cyestra-35. Some of the reason for the switch over I think was because of the PCOS I had really bad acne. Some people use the medication I'm on just as a acne treatment. It dose just as well as birth control. Perhaps you could mention this medication to your doctor as well.

I can relate with you as well with having trouble remembering to take your medication. I was the same way. I even stopped caring so much as to have stopped taking it for a couple of months. I now have my boyfriend making sure that I do take it every day. I do occasionally miss one day a week. Still it's nice to have a regular cycle instead of having my period once every 3 - 6 months.

[Dammitall]

Have you noticed whether your mood has been affected by anything relating to PCOS, like your cycle irregularity or anything?

[Magpie_1]

I don't get any wild mood swings if that's what your asking. I get PMS just like any other girl during my cycle.

[dlish]

she-lish is a dietitian and deals with women with PCOS. she specialises in diabetes, so she may be able to help. ill see if she can log on and give some advice when she gets home.

i dont know much about it, but i hear she-lish talk about it all the time. usually i can regurgitate things she says, but on this occasion its way out of my league.

[dlish]

ive spoken to she-lish and this is what she said . im being spoon fed here-

1) diet and exercise is essential. this problem occurs in many overweight women, so weightloss through diet and exercise is crucial. execrcise will also help to reverse the problem of insulin resistance as this stimulates the pancreas to secrete more sensitive insulin.

2) your dr might put you on metformin as this is also stimlates sensitive insulin. so basically it does what execrcise does.

3) watching total carb in diet is important, but also ensuring that carbs are of a low GI type.

is there any specific questions that you ladies had that you want me to pass on?

[Martian]

I will be cooking a lot of Magpie's meals after March 1st. We do a lot of walking and she's lost a lot of weight already. She was never particularly heavy to begin with, but being in better shape is always a plus.

I'm very much okay with modifying my cooking habits to incorporate foods that are better for her. Due to my Crohn's we tend to avoid anything high fat or otherwise unhealthy anyway; I tend to use chicken and lean ground beef for most of what I do, and prefer fresh fruits and vegetables for aesthetic (taste) reasons. We don't do a lot of junk food, and don't do fast food at all, excepting the occasional pizza when I'm feeling lazy.

I don't really know what constitutes lower GI carbs. Can you ask she-lish to clarify that? What should I be using or not using?

[dlish]

Originally Posted by Martian

I will be cooking a lot of Magpie's meals after March 1st. We do a lot of walking and she's lost a lot of weight already. She was never particularly heavy to begin with, but being in better shape is always a plus.

I'm very much okay with modifying my cooking habits to incorporate foods that are better for her. Due to my Crohn's we tend to avoid anything high fat or otherwise unhealthy anyway; I tend to use chicken and lean ground beef for most of what I do, and prefer fresh fruits and vegetables for aesthetic (taste) reasons. We don't do a lot of junk food, and don't do fast food at all, excepting the occasional pizza when I'm feeling lazy.

I don't really know what constitutes lower GI carbs. Can you ask she-lish to clarify that? What should I be using or not using?

Low GI Foods

whole grain breads
whole grain cerals (hi fibre varieties)
low fat dairy prodyct (but choose low fat)
nuts and legumes
basmati rice
stone fruits
oranges
strawberries
sweet potato

all non stachy vegetables, and other non carbohydrate foods are low GI.

Pasta is a medium GI

there are plenty of GI guides in bookstores. She-lishs professor Jenny Brand-Miller has written many books about it. she was one of the researchers that developed the GI concept. one of her books that she-lish reccomends is PCOS and GI.

let me know if you have any other questions