Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - Symptoms, Treatment, and Diet

PCOS Causes

PCOS meaning can be many. Most common PCOS meaning is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder. It commonly affects women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS symptoms may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods. They may also have excessive levels of the male hormone androgen. In women who have PCOS, the ovaries develop numerous sacs of fluid, and they fail to release eggs regularly. Though the exact causes of PCOS are unknown, early diagnosis can help in curbing the risk of complications linked to PCOS, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The PCOS Symptoms And Treatment are many.   

PCOS Causes

PCOS Symptoms:

PCOS meaning has taken on other ways of manifesting themselves, They usually appear in women who are in-between the ages of 18-35. 

PCOS symptoms often manifest themselves first during puberty. They usually appear at the time of the first menstrual cycle. PCOS symptoms may even develop. Later. PCOS symptoms could make an appearance in response to substantial weight gain.  A woman must take care to control PCOS Symptoms, and treatment will then be easy.  

The symptoms that a woman may have PCOS are many. The diagnosis of PCOS is usually arrived at when at last two of the three below symptoms are experienced: 

  • Irregular Periods:

    Menstrual cycles that are irregular, infrequent or prolonged would be an indication signifying the onset of PCOS symptoms.  

    • Excess Androgen:

      Excessive generation and secretion of the male hormone Androgen can be a contributing factor to the occurrence of PCOS. Elevated androgen levels may manifest themselves externally by excess facial hair, severe acne and maybe even male-pattern baldness. Excess of Androgen is also known to make PCOS treatment tricky.

      • Polycystic Ovaries: 

        Enlarged ovaries and follicles surrounding the eggs may indicate PCOS in a woman. Both of these factors play a hand in causing the ovaries to function abnormally or not at all. 

        Taking care of PCOS symptoms and treatment can become challenging, and any woman afflicted with PCOS symptoms should take great care in managing their PCOS symptoms else, there is a risk of contracting lifestyle diseases such as:

        • Diabetes
        • Endometrial Cancer
        • Heart Disease
        • High Blood Pressure

        Appearance of these lifestyle diseases makes PCOS treatment difficult. 

        Types of PCOS:

        • Insulin-Resistant PCOS:

          The most common kind of PCOS is insulin-resistant PCOS. It usually results from a high intake of trans fats, sugar, smoking and exposure to polluted environments. Higher than normal levels of insulin trigger excess production of testosterone, which prevents ovulation.   

          • Inflammatory PCOS: 

            The leading cause of inflammatory PCOS is environmental toxins, taking on too much stress, or a poor diet. When inflammation occurs, it inhibits ovulation due to hormonal imbalance.

            The indicators of inflammatory PCOS include increased thyroid levels, abnormal blood count, and vitamin deficiency. 

            • PCOS Due to Hidden Causes: 

              Sometimes hidden factors cause the onset of PCOS. The appearance of these makes PCOS easy to diagnose. Once identified and addressed, it becomes easier to treat.

              Mostly the causes of this type of PCOS are:

              • Zinc Deficiency
              • Usage of Artificial Sweeteners
              • Deficiency of Iodine
              • Thyroid Disease

              Managing PCOS Symptoms and Treatment Through Your Diet:

              Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been known to affect up to 15% of women across the globe in their reproductive years. 

              As the condition affects the menstrual and ovulation cycles, it is the most common cause of infertility in women. Though a PCOS diagnosis isn’t good news, symptoms of PCOS can be alleviated by working on your diet. 

              Eating the proper diet can improve fertility and thereby keep PCOS symptoms at bay. If the individual is obese, then it is even more important to change your lifestyle to control the effects of PCOS.   

              Foods to Help With PCOS Symptoms and Treatment:

              Cutting back on your intake of processed sugars and saturated fats should be your first priority. Foods rich in these two ingredients only increase blood sugar levels and fatty tissue in the body.  

              Some foods that could minimise the ill-effects of PCOS are:

              • Turmeric 
              • Tomatoes 
              • Spices
              • Broccoli 
              • Lean protein 

              Consuming a high-fibre diet helps combat insulin resistance. This is done by the fibres slowing down the digestion process, which, in turn, reduces the impact of sugar on the blood.

              Some of the best options for high-fibre foods to combat PCOS are:

              • Almonds 
              • Berries 
              • Winter Squash
              • Sweet potatoes
              • Pumpkin  
              • Chicken
              • Tofu
              • Fish
              • Green peppers
              • Red peppers
              • Broccoli
              • Brussels sprouts
              • Cauliflower 
              • Arugula
              • Red leaf lettuce 
              • Lentils 
              • Beans

              A high-protein diet can encourage a reduction in insulin levels. Including sources of protein such as dairy products, beans, eggs, fish, and lean meat can help control runway insulin production within the body.  

              The following high-protein foods are great for reducing insulin levels:

              • Blueberries 
              • Strawberries 
              • Salmon 
              • Sardines
              • Omega-3 fatty acids 
              • Kale 
              • Tomatoes
              • Spinach 
              • Walnuts 
              • Almonds
              • Olive Oil

              Diets Recommended for Women With PCOS:

              In-depth research has looked into the diet most suited for PCOS. Though there is no clear consensus on the subject as yet, a variety of diets have proved to be beneficial in this regard.

              First off is the ketogenic diet. It works on the premise that a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates can alleviate PCOS symptoms effectively.

              A keto diet can help in regulating any hormonal imbalance and blood pressure in the short term. This diet can also control diabetes and obesity. 

              Be aware that the ketogenic diet is not advised as a long-term solution as it may lead to glucose intolerance. 

              A Mediterranean diet, on the other hand, can be considered a healthy alternative without the side effects associated with a keto diet and is equally good at managing PCOS symptoms and treatment. Usually, a Mediterranean diet mainly consists of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, fibre and vitamins. Only a small quantity of animal proteins are included in this diet. 

              Research conducted has shown that a Mediterranean diet can effectively protect against obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, along with promoting ovarian health.

              Furthermore, it helps regulate insulin as it includes legumes, a low glycemic index food. These benefits that come from adopting a Mediterranean diet  

              You can choose one of these two diets to manage your PCOS symptoms. You may also do your own research into identifying a suitable diet or consult your physician before embarking on a diet plan. 

              Consuming foods rich in fibre, antioxidants and vitamins will help ensure that your PCOS symptoms are minimised.

              Below is an indication of what a balanced diet looks like:

              • Fruits and Vegetables
              • Whole Grains
              • Seeds, Nuts, and Vegetable oils
              • Legumes and Vegetable proteins

              And it would do you good to avoid the following::

              • Low-fat Dairy Products
              • Excess of Animal-Based Protein and Processed Meat
              • Sweets

              Avoid the Following Food Groups to Avoid If You Have PCOS:

              • White Bread
              • Muffins
              • Sugary Snacks
              • Sugary Desserts 
              • Sugary Drinks
              • Processed Foods
              • Red Meats
              • Breakfast Pastry
              • Any food item made with white flour
              • Pasta made from 
                • Durum wheat flour
                • Durum flour
                • Semolina 

              These foods may exacerbate insulin resistance, so you may want to avoid consuming them to a large extent. You may start cutting back on these foods slowly till their presence in your diet is almost negligible. 

              Sugar is a primary culprit that worsens PCOS symptoms in a woman, and thus great care should be taken to avoid it at all costs. You should pay attention to the food labels when you visit the supermarket. 

              Avoid foods that contain: 

              • Sucrose 
              • Dextrose
              • High Fructose corn syrup

              Double-check the ingredients of your favourite beverages, as that’s where sugar and its harmful substitutes usually lurk.

              When afflicted with the condition PCOS meaning would include other food to be avoided would include margarine, fried food and any processed meat.

              Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage PCOS Symptoms and Treatment

              Just as is the case with most afflictions, PCOS too responds well to healthy lifestyle choices.

              Regular and active forms of exercise can help alleviate some if not all PCOS symptoms. Physical activity of any form helps reduce insulin resistance, and also PCOS symptoms and treatment is made convenient. It helps even more when exercise is complemented by a healthy diet that avoids excess carbohydrate intake.

              Experts advise exercising at least 3 hours a week. It helps if broken down into regular activities on a daily basis. By inculcating these changes, women can surely see an increase in their fertility during their ovulation cycles.

              PCOS Symptoms and Stress 

              Stress often aggravates PCOS symptoms. It is imperative that you adopt stress reduction techniques like yoga. Interacting with a good therapist will also aid in developing stress coping mechanisms.  

              Best Exercises for PCOS

              Engaging in any of the following exercises can help keep PCOS symptoms at bay:

              • Swimming 
              • Jogging 
              • Brisk walking 
              • Cycling 

              In addition to helping you cope with PCOS, they can also help reduces the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

              Listed here are some home remedies for managing PCOS symptoms and treatment. These remedies may help ease the symptoms of PCOS. But before you adopt them, it is suggested that you consult your healthcare provider for a professional opinion to treat the symptoms.

              Home Remedies to Help Treat PCOS:

              • Vitamins
              • Minerals
              • Apple Cider Vinegar
              • Coconut Oil
              • Evening Primrose Oil
              • Green Tea
              • Royal Jelly
              • Aloe Vera Juice
              • Amla Juice
              • Palm Jaggery
              • Jeera Water
              • Seeds
              • Saw Palmetto
              • Cinnamon And Honey
              • Liquorice Root
              • Chasteberry

              Conclusion:

              Coping with PCOS and its associated symptoms can be hard to cope with. It can be rather easy to go off track and experience frustrations when attempting to manage PCOS symptoms and treatment.

              But with the proper care and medical help, PCOS symptoms can be managed well. A good PCOS treatment diet is the right place to start. A good diet is always helpful in helping to improve your mood and wellbeing. Also read Natural Treatment PCOS: What Is PCOS? How To Cure PCOS Naturally?




              Auric women wellness

              Authored by: Bhavishya Pahwa

              About the Author: Bhavishya Pahwa is a budding writer who has always confided in a pen. He believes that art is a cure-all and that introspection followed by writing can add to the sanity of the world.


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