PCOS has been in the headlines lately, largely because many celebrities have come forward to share their experiences of dealing with the syndrome. Keke Palmer, Lea Michele and Christina Hall have all been vocal about their experiences. But celebrities aren’t the only people plagued with PCOS.
In fact, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it turns out, is not exactly rare. Seven to 10% of women are affected by PCOS, typically beginning in their childbearing years. There are medical interventions for PCOS, but most experts also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to use diet to manage PCOS.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormone disorder that primarily impacts women of childbearing age. According to the Endocrine Society, PCOS affects five to six million women in the U.S. and is the most common form of infertility. But estimates about how prevalent PCOS is are just that — estimates — because a lot of women don’t know that they have it.
Women with PCOS produce excess insulin and androgen — hormones that, when imbalanced, can cause difficulty ovulating. These imbalances can lead to irregular periods, fertility problems, small ovarian cysts, acne, thinning hair and insulin resistance. There’s also a link between PCOS and being overweight, but scientists aren’t sure whether PCOS causes weight gain or vice versa.
Ultimately, women with PCOS can develop serious complications, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Since women with PCOS often experience insulin resistance, managing PCOS may involve making changes to your diet and lifestyle habits, as well as taking medications to regulate ovulation and insulin levels. Diet and exercise can help your body regulate insulin, which in turn can help your body regulate hormones. That’s why nutrition and lifestyle strategies tend to be part of the lifelong approach to treating PCOS.
How to treat PCOS with diet
Here are three…
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