PCOS Diet

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is an endocrine (hormonal) condition that can cause multiple ovarian cysts, abnormal hair growth, inflammation and other symptoms read more

3 Medications You May Be Prescribed if You Have PCOD

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) is a medical condition that can lead to several side effects in women, including fertility challenges and weight management problems. If you have been diagnosed with PCOD, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce symptoms.

Below are three common medication options for PCOD that may help:

1. Metformin

Metformin is a generic diabetes medication that helps to reduce total blood glucose (sugar) by decreasing the amount of glucose absorbed by the body and processed in the liver. Women are sometimes prescribed metformin for PCOD because the condition tends to cause trouble with weight management and blood glucose processing due to hormone imbalances.

When a woman is prescribed metformin for PCOD, this doesn’t necessarily indicate that she has diabetes, but this can be a concern as well. Diabetes can come along with PCOD, and some women may develop diabetes as a result of the condition before discovering that PCOD is part of the cause.

2. Avandia

Avandia (rosiglitazone) is a medication that is usually prescribed to treat PCOD symptoms when a woman is experiencing infertility. Avandia is designed to induce ovulation, and it is often used as a first-line medication for women who are having difficulty getting pregnant naturally.

PCOD often causes fertility issues in addition to problems with weight management and blood sugar. When used as prescribed by your doctor, Avandia may make it easier for women with PCOD to get pregnant, but the medication does not stop other PCOD symptoms.

3. Femara

Femara (letrozole) is a breast cancer drug that is also used to stimulate fertility, and it works by lowering estrogen levels. Although this may sound counter-intuitive in a woman who has low estrogen due to PCOD, Femara stimulates other hormones that increase fertility.

If you are prescribed Femara, the risk of developing osteoporosis may increase. As a result, it’s important to stay on top of all follow-up appointments with your doctor to ensure your body is healthy.

Disclaimer: The above information is presented for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Only your doctor can guide you in treating a medical condition.

Read a similar article about testosterone and PCOS here at this page.

2 Best Diets for People With PCOS

There are several ways to get relief from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but many doctors recommend following a healthy diet as one of the most effective treatments. PCOS, also known as polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), is often affected by a woman’s diet. As such, finding the right blend of nutrition can sometimes reduce or eliminate some symptoms of PCOD.

While you’re encouraged to speak with your doctor before making any changes to diet or lifestyle, here’s a handy diet guide for PCOD that provides some pointers:

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

An anti-inflammatory diet made it into this diet guide for PCOD because the condition tends to be exacerbated by inflammation. It should be noted that general inflammation in the context of PCOD is not the same as external inflammation. Even slight amounts of inflammation inside the body can trigger strong reactions. An anti-inflammatory diet aims to reduce hormonal activity that causes oxidative stress. In doing so, weight gain that is typical of PCOD sufferers is usually lessened.

Foods to consider include: Olive oil, leafy green vegetables and salmon or tuna

Low-Sodium Diet

Sodium (salt) is known to cause inflammation by affecting the body’s immune response. Additionally, women who already have hypertension or heart disease as a result of being overweight may experience greater symptoms of PCOD when they take in too much salt.

When trying to limit your sodium intake, it’s important to read labels carefully. Many foods, including those you might not suspect contain salt, often include portions of sodium. You may also need to work with your doctor to find the appropriate level of sodium for your unique case of PCOD.

Foods to consider include: Fresh fish, dried beans and fruits

Additional Considerations

In addition to the two diets mentioned above, your dietary intake for PCOD should also include plenty of whole grains and hydration. These two elements combined can help keep bloating at bay and may promote healthy weight loss. Also, getting fibre into your diet from other sources may be beneficial.

Disclaimer: The above is not medical advice. Talk with your physician to learn ways you can treat PCOD.

Read a similar article about PCOD symptoms here at this page.

Should I Tell My Doctor If I'm Having Missed Periods?

A woman’s menstrual cycle plays an important role in overall health, and a regular cycle is often a key factor in becoming pregnant naturally. Also known as a woman’s “period”, the process of menstruating removes unfertilized eggs from the body to allow for viable eggs to take their place. Periods usually occur on a regular cycle each month, but several health conditions can interrupt this cycle.

When a woman misses her period, it may mean that she is experiencing fertility concerns that may interfere with attempts to become pregnant. Missed periods may also signal that something else is going on medically, so women who miss their periods are encouraged to keep track of any additional symptoms they notice and speak with their doctors for a medical evaluation.

Causes of a Missed Period

A missed period is different from a late period. A period may be late due to challenges like stress, but this usually regulates itself once stressors have been removed.

A missed period altogether can mean something more serious is going on. A missed period from PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, can signal that a woman may need to have her ovaries checked for the development of cysts. If you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and have experienced a missed period from PCOS, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know so that your condition can be monitored, and your overall health can be evaluated.

Treatment for a Missed Period

Treating a disruption in a woman’s menstrual cycle will depend on the cause and severity of the medical issue. In the case of PCOS, correcting a woman’s cycle may require changes in lifestyle that include an increase in exercise and a move toward healthy foods. Your doctor can provide you with personal guidance regarding the things you can do to reduce the symptoms of PCOS.

Note: The above is not medical advice. Only your doctor can provide you with medical guidance based on your medical history.

Read a similar article about Hirsutism from PCOD here at this page.

How Does Yoga Help With PCOS Symptoms?

Yoga has become quite the wellness trend in recent decades, but the practice has been around for thousands of years. Although yoga may not be practised as a heavily spiritual experience in today’s gyms, yoga still provides a lot of health and wellness benefits, especially for women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a medical condition that comes along with several uncomfortable and disconcerting symptoms. Women who experience PCOS symptoms may have an irregular cycle or may feel the effects of weight gain. Problems with oily skin and hair are also common for women with PCOS, and infertility is also a concern.

Yoga to the Rescue

Although yoga is not a cure for PCOS, there is some evidence out there that suggests yoga could help combat PCOS symptoms. You should always consult with your doctor first to find out if yoga for PCOS is right for you, but if you’re given the all-clear, practising yoga a few times a week could reduce symptoms. Even if you’re new to yoga, you can still enjoy its benefits by following along with online videos or working with a dedicated yoga instructor.

How Does Yoga Help PCOS Symptoms?

Yoga for PCOS can result in less stress and greater physical wellness. One of the biggest concerns with PCOS is the potential for cardiovascular disease that often follows the condition. Yoga is known to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, and when combined with a balanced diet, yoga may also improve strength and flexibility. This can lead to more opportunities to stay active.

Yoga may also help to balance hormones that can be thrown off by PCOS. Women who suffer from this condition may experience an increase in testosterone, but yoga may work to reduce testosterone and increase estrogen. These hormones affect mood, mental well-being, physical health and a woman’s menstrual cycle. By balancing these hormones, yoga may improve PCOS symptoms and lead to greater satisfaction with life.

Disclaimer: The above is not to be taken as medical advice. Consult with your doctor to learn the risk and benefits of engaging in yoga with PCOS.

Read a similar article about insulin resistance from PCOD here at this page.

Should I Get a Fertility Test Done?

For many couples, starting a family is the ultimate milestone. While most have no issues conceiving and bringing a child into the world, infertility can prevent some women from becoming pregnant. It's more common than people think, with up to 15 percent of all couples in the United States experiencing infertility problems.

Infertility can affect both men and women. However, women can experience infertility from PCOD, ovulation issues and many unseen problems. So when is the right time to get a fertility test?

When It's Time to Seek Help

Anyone can get a fertility test at any time. But failing to conceive after a few attempts isn't a cause for concern. Conception is a complex process, and it's not uncommon for couples to try for months before seeing success.

But healthcare providers recommend fertility testing if women cannot get pregnant after trying for a year. If you're over the age of 35, the standard practice is to explore testing after six months of failing to conceive. That's the baseline recommendation. However, other symptoms may compel you to do testing even earlier.

It's wise to seek testing if you have diagnosed reproductive system issues. For example, infertility from PCOD is often a result of the ovaries producing large quantities of immature or partially mature eggs. Problems with the function of the fallopian tubes and uterus also warrant tests.

Testing is also necessary if you have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and other similar conditions. Even sudden changes in menstruation are a cause for concern. Irregular, heavy, or non-existent periods could point to infertility.

What Does Fertility Testing Involve?

A fertility test aims to understand why you have trouble conceiving. Many possible fertility treatments are available to give you the best chance of success. But employing the right treatments for you requires getting to the bottom of the problem at hand.

During a test, fertility experts will discuss your medical history in depth. They may also perform a series of tests. These can include blood tests to check your hormones, pelvic examinations, ultrasounds to look at your uterus and even minimally invasive surgical procedures like hysteroscopy.

Once your provider identifies the problem, you can explore options to address it.

Read a similar article about infertility symptoms here at this page.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. The name polycystic ovary syndrome describes the numerous small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) that form in the ovaries. However, some women with this disorder do not have cysts, while some women without the disorder do develop cysts read more