Polycystic ovary syndrome

What is polycystic ovary syndrome?

PCOS is a hormonal condition that women can get during the childbearing age; the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens and male sex hormones.

 

 PCOS risk factors:-

1-genes: if your mother or sister has it

2-if you have insulin resistance: insulin stimulates pituitary gland to produce more testosterone hormone (male sex hormone)

3-obesity and overweight:  increase insulin levels and make PCOS symptoms worse

 

What causes PCOS??

The exact cause is not clear, but the imbalance in the hormones (chemical messages) in your brain and ovaries will increase the production of male type hormones that causes the ovaries to work differently, in addition environmental factors such as dietary habits and activity play an important role in getting PCOS.

 

PCOS signs and symptoms!!

1-Irregular periods or no period at all

2-easy Weight gain

3-excess body hair growth (especially on face, stomach and back)

4-acnes or oily skin

5-difficulty getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate

6-Type 2-diabetes, because or irregular insulin levels

7- Darkness on the back of the neck, armpits and under breasts

 

Not all women with PCOS will have all these symptoms; it varies from one to another according to their ages, and lifestyle habits.

 

 

Is there any complication for PCOS patients?

Yes, if the syndrome is neglected and not treated properly, there will be some complications like:-

• Type 2-diabetes
• Heart and blood vessels problems
• High blood pressure
• Infertility

 

 

Now we are going to discuss the relationship between insulin and male-type hormones!

*Male-type hormones, also known as testosterone and androgens, are found in all women but on small amounts, women with PCOS produce slightly higher levels of these hormones (but not as high as men).

Insulin’s most important job is to keep blood sugar levels normal, by helping the glucose to get into the cells for energy.

* Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, in which the cells won’t allow insulin to work properly, resulting in higher levels of insulin in the blood.

 

High insulin levels               increase appetite              weight gain                pre-diabetes               Type 2-diabetes

Weight loss, physical activity, and metformin are usually necessary to reduce insulin resistance.

 

  How is PCOS treated?

Treatment plan differ from women to another according to their age, severity of symptoms and plan to get pregnant!

The most effective ways to treat PCOS or even reduce its symptoms are:

1-Healthy diet plan

2-Exercise

If you are planning to get pregnant!

 In addition to the two ways above, your Doctor may prescribe medications that can control hormone levels in the body and can help the ovaries to release eggs normally.

If you are not planning to get pregnant!

• A change in diet and activity
• Diabetes medications, to lower insulin resistance
• Oral contraceptive pills
• Medications to treat other symptoms ex.(acne, hair growth)

 

 

Lifestyle modifications and living a HEALTHY life are the most successful ways to treat PCOS.

Dietary goals should target excess weight and insulin resistance.

1-Exercise regularly from 4-6 days a week in range of 30-60 min/day, and mix between aerobic and strength workouts.

2-Change you diet! The diet plan for PCOS women:-

FOOD to eat:-

5.  High fiber diets (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes), reduce oxidative stress and inflammation
5. Low fat diet (no trans-fat or fast food), eating healthy fat instead like (nuts,olive oil, avocado and fatty fish)
5. Low glycemic index food, meaning they do not cause insulin levels to rise as much or as quickly as other foods
5. Natural unprocessed food
5. Leafy greens ex. (kale, spinach, lettuce), they have good antioxidants.

 

Food to AVOID:-

5. Refined carbohydrates such as (white rice, bread, breakfast cereals and pastries)
5. Sugary beverages such as (soda and energy drinks)
5. Fried foods
5. Milk: milk contains hormones, such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which increase the levels of androgens and worsen symptoms of PCOS
5. Coffee and caffeinated drinks: they stimulate estrogen production

 

 

 

(For a healthier you, start taking these tips in action, and REMEMBER it’s all about GOOD NUTRITION)