So I have PCOS and you just hit me right in the feels with that âloving yourselfâ fic â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
PSA Time:Â 7 things every woman should know about polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (known as PCOS) is one of the most common hormone disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in every 5 women!
1. Doctors donât know whoâll get it and who wonât
PCOS symptoms generally manifest as a series of bead-like ovarian âcystsâ, that wreak havoc on each of our bodyâs glands. Whilst we know the most common physical outcome of the illness, we donât know why some women develop it and others donât, and not every women with PCOS will get these cysts either. Confusing, huh? Because so much is still uncertain, itâs impossible to predict who will develop PCOS. It can often run in families, and is related to hormone levels, including insulin production, but any woman can be affected by the condition, and if youâre have it, itâs not because youâre at any kind of fault.
2. The symptoms are varied
The symptoms of PCOS actually vary dramatically by person; more than half of women donât have - or believe they have - any at all. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include, oily skin and recurring acne, irregular, infrequent or absent periods (known as amenorrhoea), excess facial and body hair growth, head hair loss or thinning, and weight gain. Women looking to fall pregnant may also face difficulties, due to the irregular ovulation and an increased risk of miscarriage the condition causes.
3. And some are more surprising than others
As if experiencing all of the above wasnât enough, women with PCOS also have higher levels of depression â for some, caused both by the hormonal imbalances of the condition, and others, by the resulting difficulties it presents. You may also have a higher instance of skin tags, especially around the neck and armpits, get dandruff more frequently, develop high blood pressure, and even have a deeper voice as a result of PCOS â giving you a pretty good idea of just how much of your body is controlled by hormonesâŚ
4. Itâs tough to get a diagnosis
But itâs worth fighting for regardless. There is no single test that can diagnose PCOS. This may be another reason so many women are suffering without realising it! Your doctor should confirm PCOS if you present with two or more of the following: ovarian cysts, disrupted ovulation and/or high androgen levels. The gold standard of diagnosis is to have an ultrasound scan and a blood test.Â
5. Diet can have a massive impact on PCOS
Being overweight increases the amount of insulin your body makes, which is why your weight can have a direct impact on your PCOS symptoms. Eating a well-balanced, low GI diet with a rainbow of vegetables, good quality proteins (beans, pulses, nuts, seeds, lean meats, fresh fish, eggs) and healthy fats. These healthy fats can also help regulate the insulin sensitivity. Think avocado, nuts, seeds, almonds, eggs, whole grains and flax seeds. Avoid or dramatically reduce all processed foods, caffeine and alcohol. And never crash diet!
6. Medication can help too
There are various medications that may be prescribed to help manage your symptoms, whether thatâs Metformin for those battling insulin resistance, Clomid to induce ovulation, or Aldactone for hormonal skin imbalance. However, there isnât yet one single medication that can address the underlying causes. If you choose to take the conventional approach, you need to work on the underlying causes and lifestyle changes at the same time.
7. It can impact other areas of your health
If itâs not properly managed, PCOS can lead to health problems later on in your life, from heart disease to type 2 diabetes and even endometrial cancer. We donât say this to worry you if you have been diagnosed â we say it so that you seek all of the support you need as early as possible, and can get through your days without suffering. Go to your doctor or a hormone specialist, talk through your options and do everything you can to live your best life â your future self will thank you too.
romaincrisis
discoholicmusic
izzy806
jacobvanloon
pixelskylines
annaxmalina
