PCOS and Me

I am one of the ten. One in every ten women (or estimated between 5-10% of women, in child bearing ages) has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, more commonly known as PCOS. It is the leading cause of infertility. I was not diagnosed with it until I was 27, but now that I am looking at the symptoms, I believe it just went un-diagnosed for a long time. My Dr didn't even tell me all that can be associated with it. Some of the side affects I didn't even know were related until very recently. I am doing what I can to be informed, because I do not want it to rule my life. And I want to know what it is so that I can resolve the causes, not just treat the symptoms. This blog is my journey through the process. How I feel, facts, what I'm trying, what works for me, what doesn't, and listing the options. I totally believe a combination of things in western and eastern medicines, and treatments will be the answer... that and good old hard work. I am not alone in this fight, and if you are going through this, you are not alone either. What is PCOS? It was at first thought to be a reproductive disorder, but it is actually classified as a Metabolic Disorder. It disrupts your hormones, giving you a hormonal imbalance. (In my case, estrogen takes over and my body almost completely stops producing progesterone.) as a result the ovaries enlarge and have several fluid filled cysts (can also be fibroids), usually this is a related to an excess of androgens (testosterone), which prevents normal egg development to take place, resulting in low progesterone levels. This lack causes various hormones to stimulate the ovaries and produces more estrogen and androgens... and so the cycle continues. It also causes insulin resistance, making you more prone to diabetes, gestational diabetes, and diabetes like symptoms. Some of the symptoms are: Irregular or no menses (periods), excess hair growth (especially on face and neck), insulin resistance, male pattern baldness, acne, weight gain, high bad cholesterol, low good cholesterol, changes in (or lack of) libido (sex drive), abdominal distress or bloating, fatigue, food cravings (specifically sugary or high carb food), sleep disturbance, insomnia, brain fog, depression, anxiety, changes in mood, irritability, retaining water, adrenal fatigue, fatty liver... I'm sure there are more. Now as I listed before, I don't just want to put a band-aid on the symptoms, I want to resolve the issues. Here are some things that can disrupt hormone balance: Hormone/Chemical filled foods- especially commercially raised cattle and poultry, and dairy (if not organic or from your local dairy, that should be fine) Lack of fiber- fiber promotes the body to dispose of excess estrogen Low-Fat Diets- Fat and cholesterol are necessary for hormone production and for absorption of a number of nutrients. What you SHOULD avoid is trans-fatty acids. But there are plenty of Good fats and good cholesterol that you DO need! So don't avoid them! (i.e. extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, grain fed beef and poultry, full fat organic dairy, flax-seed, hemp-seed...) Exess sugar- it inpairs estrogen metabolism, and increases insulin resistance levels, also incr eases symptoms of PMS Caffeine- it increases severity of PMS and increases chances of endometriosis Alchohol- slows bile flow and hinders in estrogen excretion Liver toxicity Environmental Chemicals- pesticides DDT,DDR, PCB, dieldrin, and chordane collect in fat cells and increase estrogen load, and are contributing to estrogen related problems Stress/Adrenal health- significantly impacts hormone balance!!! Excess weight- it is related to the excess of estrogen in the body, fat tissues make estrogen and can influence imbalance and increase risk of estrogen dominant conditions and hormone related cancers Not enough or too much exercise- engaging in regular exercise (even 15 min of brisk walking a day) increases oxygen to your body, and improves health, removes toxins and balances hormones So it's time for a lifestyle change. I'm ready for it. I've already started, and I will tell you about the steps I've taken and what I have been through so far... another day. The facts in this come from a number of sources, but the two main sources are: Article "Nutrition and Hormonal Balance in Women" Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Market and The Ultimate PCOS Handbook, by Colette Harris and Theresa Cheung Through God ALL things are possible