Google
 

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome


Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: (PCOS)


This term has become quite familiar among women. Although there is no cure, this can be kept in control.

This may sound scary and in few cases it turns out very serious but with proper diet, healthy life style, exerc

ise it can be kept under control. 


My experience: 


I myself was diagnosed for PCOS a co

-uple of years before. I like to share my experience too. It all started with irregular periods, unwanted facial hair growth, sudden increase in weight. More than this I did not feel healthy and active. When i went to a doctor I came to know about this PCOS. Added to the medicine my doctor advised me eat healthy but only what my body needed, no junk, keep my body weight in control, exercise regularly.


My diet mainly consists of fresh fruits, veggies, greens, fish, meat. Reduced consumption of sweet, carbs ( though it was very hard). I take 5 small meals and do Cardio and weights for 45 minutes and yoga in the morning for an hour. 


Because of all this my periods was regular in a few months. YOGA helped me a lot. There are certain Asanas for women. 


I am still watching my diet, keeping myself fit and healthy. I have never felt heathy and fit before.  So there is nothing to worry. I heard that it cannot be cured but can be kept under control.


Here are some collection of articles from various books and doctors.



PCOS:


Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS - also known as Polycystic Ovaries, Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, and Functional Ovarian Hyperandrogenism, is a health condition associated with hormone imbalance and insulin resistance, which can cause a cluster of symptoms, from irregular or absent periods to acne, weight gain, fatigue, depression, hair loss, excess body and facial hair and other less well known signs.

Symptoms of PCOS:

The symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome vary widely from woman to woman. In addition to polycystic ovaries, they can also include: irregular or completely absent periods, Hirsutism (excessive facial or body hair), Alopecia (male pattern hair loss), obesity, acne, skin tags (raisin-like growths on the skin), Acanthosis Nigricans (brown skin patches), exhaustion or lack of mental alertness and decreased sex drive. so widely and not all women display all the symptoms, doctors very often misdiagnose PCOS. This became an issue of critical concern after a study in 2000 found that women suffering from PCOS have a higher risk of coronary heart disease.

Researchers found a link between Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and other metabolic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Studies have also shown an increased link between PCOS and atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty deposits called plaque cling to the interior walls of the arteries, leading to blockages that can cause heart attacks or stroke. Not only do PCOS sufferers have higher rates of plaque buildup but those over 45 have thicker deposits of plaque.

Another report indicated that up to 40% of women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have either impaired glucose tolerance or Type 2 Diabetes by the age of 40.

All these findings substantially raise the bar on the seriousness of PCOS, making it even more important that doctors correctly diagnose the condition and instruct their patients about Insulin Resistance.

Even the removal of the ovaries will not completely eliminate this disorder. A complete system of elements is needed to reverse Insulin Resistance and PCOS.

Diet Modification Now Part of Treatment

Symptoms can be mild or severe and can vary widely from woman to woman. It is thought that up to 10 percent of women may have PCOS, even though many patients may not know it because their symptoms may be misdiagnosed as (eg) PMS or stress. Until recently, dietary treatment was not considered important. However, since the discovery that insulin resistance may be an important factor in PCOS, diet and lifestyle improvements are rapidly becoming a part of the overall PCOS treatment plan.

Cause of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PCOS is a complex disorder generated by a number of factors. The basic cause of PCOS is thought to be the inability of the ovaries to produce the correct balance of hormones. without the correct hormonal stimulation the ovaries can't develop or release eggs. This leads to the formation of empty egg follicles on the ovary, known as tiny cysts. Polycystic means "many cysts".

Underlying Hormonal and Metabolic Problems

Polycystic cysts are different to ovarian cysts, which are usually single and can grow bigger and interfere with ovarian function. In PCOS the string of tiny cysts are thought to be egg follicles which have failed to develop completely to release an egg. Although many people wonder if cysts are the problem the truth is they are a symptom not the cause. PCOS cysts are symptoms of deeper underlying hormonal and metabolic problems. If you are able to improve these underlying problems, through changes in diet and, if needed, medication, the cysts can reduce in number.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Elevated levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) have been discovered in some, but not all, PCOS patients. Elevated levels of testosterone are also associated with PCOS and it's symptoms. Testosterone inhibits ovaluation and causes menstrual irregularity. But the general consensus is that inappropriate levels of LH and testosterone are (again) symptoms rather than causes of PCOS.

Elevated Insulin Levels

Recent research into the cause of PCOS has focused on why some women have elevated levels of insulin. These raised insulin levels probably promote androgen production by the ovaries and contribute to menstrual disturbances common in women patients with PCOS. But as not all patients have high levels of insulin it is not the single cause of the problem.

Genetics

It is known that PCOS runs in families which suggests that the genes controlling androgen and insulin production may play the main role in PCOS. However, other genetic factors may also effect the type and severity of the symptoms experienced. In addition, environmental issues such as diet, lifestyle, weight (about 50-60 percent of women with PCOS are obese) and pollution, also play important roles in the development and control of the condition.

Classic Symptoms of PCOS

The classic signs of PCOS include the following symptoms: overweight, irregular or absent periods, acne, infertility and an overgrowth of facial or body hair. In addition, fatigue, joint pain, hair loss (alopecia), tender breasts, bloating, diabetes with insulin resistance, mood swings and depression are other important signs.

Treatment of PCOS Symptoms

Most individual symptoms can be treated by medication. For details of drug treatment for any of the above PCOS symptoms, please see your doctor. 

Can PCOS Be Cured?

No. The general consensus is that there is no cure as such for PCOS, because some women are born with a genetic predisposition or susceptibility for the condition. However, keeping the symptoms under control is within every woman's grasp, especially if they have insulin resistance or insensitivity which responds to diet and exercise based treatment.


Diet and Healthy Lifestyle: 

Weight loss has been the major recommendation by physicians for women with PCOS. Lifestyle modifications including stress reduction, exercise, and group support, along with a decrease in total energy intake, have had positive results. A weight decrease of only 5% of total body weight is associated with decreased insulin levels, increased fertility, reduced hirsutism and acne, and lower free testosterone levels.

Women with PCOS can lower their risk of developing diabetes and heart disease by exercising and eating a healthy diet. However, some women with PCOS have trouble shedding their extra pounds. (source: Journal of the American Dietetic Association)

Sticking to a special diet is a very important aspect of PCOS care. Some women with PCOS find success by reducing their total intake of carbohydrates (cereals, breads, pastas) and choosing to eat different types of carbohydrates that are less processed (whole wheat, brown rice, beans). Replacing manufactured carbohydrate products with whole grains, fruits and vegetables can help to reduce your insulin response. The diet also should include enough protein to control the amount of sugar in the blood. (source: Hormone.org)

According to many studies, women with PCOS can improve their insulin resistance just with moderate activity. Even if you exercise and don't lose weight, you are still reaping very important health benefits. Exercise has been shown to improve use of insulin and can support dietary interventions to promote weight loss; it is important that the exercise program chosen is enjoyable for the PCOS woman.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I first had symptoms when i was 17 and was told that i had PCOS (thin people type PCOS) and was officially diagnosed at 22 ans now i am 35. I have always had regular periods and unless on birth control pills were they irregular at times and I had a hard time getting pregnant because of the absent periods. I was always told by doctors that I would have a hard time conceiving so I would only go on the pill periodically which i did for more than 4 years, not for protection against getting pregnant, but just to get a period (since I was told it's not healthy to have less than 4 or so periods a year). Last time I went on a 3 month birth control pill and then stopped again because the medicine was not curing my pcos nor making me get pregnant. I went in search for a cure and ended up with so many drugs, medicine and even soaps that didn't work. I actually thought at a point that i was cursed that there is no cure for it, i was prepared to live like that till i read a testimony of a patient who suffered from pcos whose case was even worse than mine and how she was cured completely, I was amazed and at thesame time anxious and curious so i had to contact the doctor with the contact details that she left on the note. The doctor gave me so much hope and confidence with her kind words of encouragement to believe in myself and i was lifted because no one has ever given me hope like that before. I ordered the medicine, took it for 8 weeks and to my complete surprise, all the facial hairs, weight gain and all disappeared within 4 weeks and I ended up getting pregnant within a few weeks of completing the treatment! I was in shock. I think the main reasons it happened was that I never gave up and was ready to try alternative treatment so my body was back to normal. Before now i never enjoyed sex because it was very painful but now i do and my husband is the best thing that ever happened to me.. I hope this inspires some of you because I never in a million years would have thought that I would get pregnant and was getting frustrated and now our baby is due next month! You can reach her on aletedwin@gmail.com if you find yourself in a similar situation.