PCOSgurl's Guide to PCOS

  Getting through the day with #PCOS  With chronic illness like #PCOS getting through the day can be taxing especially when others dont understand your illness.  Because what we deal with seems invisible to most, we need to ensure we have a plan in place for self-care, open communication and minimizing stress....  There are little things you can do to help get through the day.  Plan it out...  To keep your insulin levels on track carry snacks and water while working, shopping and traveling, this helps stabilize your metabolism and keep your blood sugar and ultimately keeps insulin levels in check with #PCOS  Give yourself me time....  Shopping, schedules and obligations can make our stress levels sky rocket.. Stress can cause inflammation which can exacerbate symptoms of #PCOS find time to decompress to alleviate stress with music, a cup of herbal tea or your favorite movie!!  Know your limitations...  Communicate with friends and family...

Your Family history plays an important role in your #PCOS diagnosis! Author: Ashley Levinson TWITTER/IG: @PCOSgurl The cause of #PCOS is unknown. But, #genetics, could play a role. PCOS tends to run in families; it is important to ask about family history as there are often genetic markers beyond PCOS that may indicate a predisposition to a woman having PCOS such as #diabetes, #cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. Women who have a first-degree relative (a sister, mother or daughter) with #PCOS have a 35 to 40%  chance of developing the condition.In fact, some believe if a mother has PCOS and her daughter is showing signs of it, she should be evaluated by her pediatrician or by an endocrinologist for the syndrome. But, its not just daughters, the sons of women with #PCOS tend to have a greater risk for obesity and diabetes, which are complications of PCOS. Men can also inherit the genetic abnormality that in ...

  PCOS and Hormonal Dandruff ( seborrheic dermatitis) Author: Ashley Levinson Social Media @PCOSgurl Although the symptoms of  PCOS  can differ from woman to woman seborrheic dermatitis  is considered to be a marker for this disorder Increased androgen levels can be responsible for acne, male pattern baldness, acanthosis nigricans, hirsutism, skin tags and  dandruff  ( seborrheic dermatitis ). Hormone imbalance (excess androgens) can play a role in causing  dandruff ( seborrheic dermatitis ) The imbalance causes sebum to break down into irritants like oleic acid These imbalances have been shown to cause dandruff in teens and adults alike. Initial appearance of symptoms usually comes at the time of adolescence when hormonal changes take place. The subaceous oil glands tend to work overtime. The oil production occurs as a result of hormonal increase, mainly in the male androgen hormones (testosterone). This imbalance causes greasier skin and scalp, ...

  D. Cardoza - My Life with PCOS My Life with PCOS D. Cardoza Since the day I hit puberty at 14, I somehow knew I would have fertility issues, though at the time I had no idea why.  My cycles have always been very irregular and I had facial hair.  Being of German ancestry, I just assumed the facial hair was normal. It wasn’t till years later that I came across a short article in Woman’s World, I believe, that talked about PCOS and some symptoms.  And those symptoms fit me!  I went to my internist who ran some tests.  While the tests didn’t support a PCOS diagnosis, my doctor believed I did have it due to my symptoms.  I was thin, young, and didn’t know much so the only thing I did about my symptoms was go for laser hair removal, which didn’t wind up working, so I went back to shaving my face every morning.  Boy, does that make a woman feel feminine. I honestly didn’t give it much thought for many years. ...

  PCOS and Diabetes..... The Rise of an Epidemic Author: Ashley Levinson Twitter: @pcosgurl November 20, 2016 Many are unaware of what PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is, let alone it is one of the biggest contributing causes to Diabetes today! PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is an endocrine disorder affecting between 10-20% of patients worldwide with less than half knowing they are living with it. Many associate PCOS as a gynecological issue as many manifestations affect a woman's menstruation, ovulation and fertility.  PCOS, while it is the leading cause of infertility is however a metabolic syndrome affecting multiple systems in the body.  What PCOS is, and what it does to patients who have it, is complicated to explain as symptoms and severity of the syndrome can vary from person to person. Some of the classic symptoms are drastic weight gain, hair loss, depression, fatigue, thyroid problems, high cholesterol, panic attacks, headaches, dizzy spells, poor memory or...

   PCOS and Infertility: What to do When Your Body Won’t Mind You! PCOS and Infertility: What to do When Your Body Won’t Mind You! Guest Post by: Gretchen Kubacky, Psy.D. Everyone’s telling you to “just relax and you’ll get pregnant,”    or “take a vacation and it’ll happen.”    Isn’t that a huge pressure, besides the basic fact that getting pregnant hasn’t proven to be so easy for you, because you’ve got PCOS?     Getting pregnant can be so frustrating when it involves medical procedures, carefully timed intercourse, self-tests and monitoring, medication, and the like.    The good news is, even when it seems like your body just won’t do what you want it to do, there are relatively simple and inexpensive things you can do on your own to support yourself in your fertility journey. If you’ve been dealing with infertility for a while, you’ve likely tried or at least considered some alternative medicine or holistic health practices that...

PCOS and Infertility:  Misconceptions about Conception Guest Post By Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), Naturopathic Doctor As a naturopathic doctor, I frequently get emails from women diagnosed with PCOS from all over the world, desperately seeking my help to conceive.  While my naturopathic license prevents me from giving advice to people that I haven’t seen in person and done a full first assessment with, I wanted to dispel some myths and provide some words of encouragement for women with PCOS who want to have children. 1. It can be done!  Many newly diagnosed women with PCOS are fearful that they may never be able to bear children. PCOS clearly presents some difficulties for women who are trying to conceive.  There are different “types” of PCOS, some will make conception more difficult than others.  What each of the different PCOS types has in common, is absent, irregular or inconsistent ovulation.  Obviously to conceive, one has...

  ACUPUNCTURE Uses needles and techniques to penetrate the skin to rid pain or problem caused by a blockage in the flow of vital energy in the body Acupuncture for PCOS uses needles placed along the acupuncture meridians related to the reproductive system. This helps stimulate the organs, improve blood flow, normalizes hormone levels and promotes the proper functioning of the reproductive system. PCOS Acupuncture leads to a decreased release of luteinizing hormone (LH) leads to a decrease in the release of (andogens) male hormones from the ovaries.  #acupuncture reduces high levels of testosterone and can lead to more regular #menstruation acupuncture for PCOS can impact beta-endorphin production, which may affect gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion Acupuncture gor PCOS helps regulate the follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone ( LH) and androgens. Acupuncture for PCOS can increase insulin sensitivity and decrease blood glucose and insulin le...

  #PCOS certainly has a long history and goes further back then most realize! We have certainly come a long way but so much more needs to be done! Its interesting to see how perceptions and care have changed over time but our work is far from done... Check out the history of PCOS going all the way back to ancient times to help bring more understanding to this still relatively dismissed and overlooked syndrome GOING BACK IN TIME WITH PCOS 2020 Cases of pcos continue to rise with cases now affecting up to 21% in some countries making statistics now 1 in 5, as opposed to old statistics of 1 in 10 Less than 0.1% of government funding is invested in the research of PCOS Up to 70% of patients with pcos remain undiagnosed There is no cure for PCOS There is no known cause of PCOS Definitions of pcos still focus mostly on reproductive aged women only 2017 ACEM includes insulin resistance as diagnostic criteria to be considered Insulin resistance has been noted consistently amo...

  w We often hear about things like irregular periods, acne, weight gain etc.. as associated symptoms of pcos but, there may be some that surprise you! Symptoms related to PCOS can include: Aggressiveness Increased levels of testosterone which is common with #PCOS can trigger symptoms of aggression. Breast milk production Mothers with #PCOS are at greater risk for insufficient milk supply due to imbalanced hormones and estrogen dominance Approximately 20% of moms with PCOS have an oversupply of breast milk due to elevated prolactin levels Bladder problems high testosterone levels associated with #PCOS may cause increased urinary urgency, incontinence and a need to urinate at night. Bloating Estrogen is directly associated with fluid retention. A lot of patients with #PCOS have an excess of estrogen and deal with bloating as a result. Blurred vision Blurred vision  can signal  insulin resistance . Too much glucose in your blood can cause the lens of your eye to ...

  The PCOS Bloat Hack Author: Ashley Levinson a.k.a PCOSgurl Social Media: @pcosgurl Why am I getting the PCOS Bloat? There are a few reasons this can be happening... Fluid retention, #bloating, and water retention are all commonly reported symptoms of #PCOS and can be related to hormone imbalance, inflammation and even the medication used to treat pcos such as birth control pills and metformin which may increase thirst! As part of the hormone imbalance, estrogen is often directly associated with fluid retention. A lot of patients with #PCOS have an excess of estrogen and deal with bloating as a result. So the longterm fix and this is not the easiest with pcos is balancing hormones!! However, that takes quite awhile and trying different treatment options lifestyle, supplements, medication etc.. Set this as your ultimate goal but know.... There are some bloat hacks that can help alleviate symptoms and help you work towards balanced hormones. Hers my guide to beating the ...

  PCOS VITAMINS AND MINERALS The following is a comprehensive overview of vitamins and minerals used in naturopathic treatments for #PCOS Antioxidants and vitamins have positive effects in management of PCOS and its complications, although more studies are necessary  to provide evidence for antioxidant management for PCOS. Please keep in mind anything you take whether prescribed or OTC (over the counter) Can alter your metabolism and body's chemistry. You should always consult with a healthcare provider when starting any treatments for any condition... This content is for informational purposes only and is not a medical prescription or plan. MULTIVITAMIN Patients with PCOS , especially when taking medications can have vitamin deficencies. Starting with a top quality multivitamin will ensure youre getting a little bit of everything as a foundation. You can then add on other supplements. ALPHA LIPOIC ACID (ALA) Can help sensitize your body's insulin and can help lower bl...