Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
I often work with women of reproductive age who are suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS.
It’s a common condition, affecting around 12-18% of women, but it can make conception very difficult, and that’s normally when my PCOS clients come to see me and get some help managing things.
Want to know a bit more about PCOS and how I could help you? Read on…
What exactly is PCOS?
PCOS is a complex hormonal condition involving a high amount of partially-formed follicles, each containing an egg, on the ovaries. These eggs rarely mature or produce eggs which can be fertilised.
It can be a genetic condition which runs in the family, but can also be a condition which only occurs when a person is carrying extra weight.
There are three factors which lead to a woman being diagnosed with PCOS:
- A large number of follicles (fluid-filled sacs) surround the eggs in the ovaries
- Eggs are not regularly release from the ovaries (i.e. ovulation does not take place, causing conception issues)
- The individual possesses a higher-than-normal level of male hormones, or the male hormones present in the body (we all have them) are more active
Common symptoms experience by people suffering from PCOS
There are several symptoms of PCOS which may indicate that a person is suffering from the condition even before they are aware:
- Irregular or absent periods
- Excessive hair on the face, chest or stomach
- Thinning of scalp hair
- Acne
- Fertility problems
This does not mean at ALL that if you have one or more of these symptoms that you are suffering from PCOS, but a combination of most of these symptoms could certainly indicate that the condition is present – and it may be worth getting tested for it.
How can a dietitian help me manage this condition?
An accredited practising dietitian can show you how to optimise your diet to prevent common health concerns associated with PCOS, such as heart disease, diabetes and insulin resistance.
We can also provide you with evidence-based education and advice tailored to your individual needs that will help you manage your PCOS. This could include advising that you opt for Low-GI foods and reducing your overall sugar and saturated fat intake in favour of alternative foods if your PCOS is lifestyle-related.
If you have PCOS and are trying to conceive, we can help you optimise your diet to increase your fertility chances.
In short, we can help you manage your Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in a wide variety of ways according to your individual requirements!
If you’d like to book a consultation to discuss how we can help you manage your PCOS, click here.
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