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One in five women has PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) causes irregular periods, irregular ovulation and can cause fertility problems.
You need to know about PCOS because it could affect your chances of getting pregnant or affect the risk of miscarriage or other complications during pregnancy.
Most women with PCOS do not know they have it.
1 in 5 women has PCOS. Imagine 5 females in a room. (You and 4 other adult women you know.) If the 5 of you represented the world’s female population, one of you would have PCOS. This is how common it is!
If your gynecologist tells you that you do not look like a person who has PCOS this is a sign that you should visit another specialist.
PCOS can cause fertility problems.
The symptoms of PCOS vary.
You might have PCOS if you:
- have irregular periods and/or heavy bleeding
- are overweight, underweight or anything in-between (a common misconception is that you need to be overweight to have PCOS, however, the symptoms often increase with weight gain which is good to know)
- have bad skin or increased body hair
Hormonal birth control can hide symptoms of hormonal imbalances like PCOS.
It is not uncommon for PCOS to be misdiagnosed or inefficiently treated. If you suspect you might have PCOS, make sure you see an experienced specialist in the field and investigate how the treatment may vary depending on in which country you live.
Unknown food sensitivities and high insulin may hold the key.
PCOS is often linked to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, where elevated insulin levels lead to increased testosterone production, disrupting the balance of female hormones and hindering ovulation. With the right dietary changes, PCOS can potentially be reversed.
Gynecologists in both the US and Brazil may advise that consuming gluten, lactose, and/or sugar can worsen PCOS symptoms. Sensitivity to these foods can sometimes resemble an allergy, but it’s not the same as traditional allergies like celiac disease, which is easier to diagnose. If only celiac disease tests are available in your country, you might consider international tests such as Cyrex Array 3.
Reducing or avoiding gluten and other foods that trigger your PCOS symptoms could help reduce inflammation. However, a gluten-free diet is not recommended for all women with PCOS, as it may not benefit everyone. What should be universally recommended, however, is monitoring your blood sugar and insulin levels. You can monitor your blood sugar levels with a glucose monitor.
"When I studied at MIT I had a doctor who told me that I may benefit from avoiding refined carbohydrates since I have PCOS and have an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes. Since then, I try to maintain a low GI diet and that really makes my PCOS symptoms less severe."