They can discuss possible dosage, side effects, and interactions. Eating the right foods and avoiding certain ingredients may help you manage your symptoms. A nourishing diet can help regulate your hormones and your menstrual cycle. Eating processed, heavily preserved foods can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance. Whole foods are free from artificial sugars, hormones, and preservatives. These foods are as close to their natural, unprocessed state as possible.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are whole foods that you can add to your diet. Carbohydrates and protein both impact your energy and hormone levels. Eating protein stimulates your body to produce insulin. Unprocessed, high-carb foods can improve insulin sensitivity. Instead of trying a low-carb diet, focus on getting enough healthy protein. Plant-based protein sources , such as nuts, legumes, and whole grains, are best. PCOS is described by one study as low-level chronic inflammation.
Adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet can help ease your symptoms. Consider the Mediterranean diet as an option.
Olive oil , tomatoes, leafy greens, fatty fish like mackerel and tuna, and tree nuts all fight inflammation. Some women with PCOS experience heavy bleeding during their period. This can result in iron deficiency or anemia. If your doctor has diagnosed you with either condition, talk with them about how you can up your iron intake. They may recommend adding iron-rich foods such as spinach, eggs, and broccoli to your diet.
Too much iron can increase your risk of complications. Almonds, cashews, spinach, and bananas are PCOS-friendly foods rich in magnesium. A diet high in fiber can help improve your digestion. Lentils, lima beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, pears, and avocados are all rich in fiber. Caffeine consumption may be linked to changes in estrogen levels and hormone behavior.
Try boosting your energy with a decaf alternative, such as an herbal tea. Green tea has been shown to improve insulin resistance. It can also help with weight management in women with PCOS. Before adding more soy to your diet, ask your doctor about the latest research. Soy acts like estrogen in your body.
This might help balance hormones if you have PCOS. People with a family history of estrogen-related cancers, such as some breast cancers, should avoid soy products. If your doctor approves adding soy to your diet, consider soy milk, tofu, miso, and tempeh. Insulin and blood sugar levels rise the highest after a person eats foods rich in carbohydrates , sugar, or both. Eliminating simple carbohydrates and sugar from the diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels and keep insulin levels low. This may mean avoiding products such as:.
Unlike simple carbohydrates, complex carbs contain fiber and other nutrients and do not raise blood sugar levels as high. Some common sources of complex carbs include:. The best diet for someone with PCOS would comprise complex carbs, lots of fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins. Learn more about the diet and PCOS, including foods to eat and avoid.
Exercise is an important component of weight loss. Regular exercise can help lower insulin levels and keep blood sugar levels low. Exercise is also beneficial for heart health, and it can improve mood and help regulate sleep patterns. Getting a good workout does not have to mean hitting the gym — in fact, the most effective workout is an enjoyable one. Taking up a sport or an activity that is fun will encourage a person to engage in it consistently and get the most benefits.
It is important to note that nutritional supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration FDA and may interfere with medications or medical conditions. Speak with a doctor before taking any nutritional supplement.
A review looked at 24 studies to see whether nutritional supplements were safe, effective ways of managing PCOS. Specifically, the researchers considered:. The authors found no high quality evidence that these supplements were effective, and evidence for their safety was lacking. However, they report low quality evidence that inositol and omega-3 fish oil may benefit people with PCOS in some ways.
These are given by injection. There's a higher risk that they may overstimulate your ovaries and lead to multiple pregnancies. Medicines to control excessive hair growth hirsutism and hair loss alopecia include:. These medicines work by blocking the effects of "male hormones", such as testosterone, and some also suppress production of these hormones by the ovaries.
This cream does not remove hair or cure unwanted facial hair, so you may wish to use it alongside a hair removal product.
If you have unwanted hair growth, you may also want to remove the excess hair by using methods such as plucking, shaving, threading, creams or laser removal. A minor surgical procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling LOD may be a treatment option for fertility problems associated with PCOS that do not respond to medicine.
Under general anaesthetic , your doctor will make a small cut in your lower tummy and pass a long, thin microscope called a laparoscope through into your abdomen.
The ovaries will then be surgically treated using heat or a laser to destroy the tissue that's producing androgens male hormones. If you have PCOS, you have a higher risk of pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure hypertension , pre-eclampsia , gestational diabetes and miscarriage. These risks are particularly high if you're obese. If you're overweight or obese, you can lower your risk by losing weight before trying for a baby.
Page last reviewed: 01 February Next review due: 01 February Magnesium is a good example; it reduces insulin levels and has anti-inflammatory properties. Try to better understand your body; which foods you tolerate well and which you do not; how to exercise effectively, without putting your body into a stressed state.
Women with PCOS frequently test positively for inflammatory markers. This further highlights the need to eat a well balanced diet, with an emphasis on weight loss.
Endocrine disruptors , present in a vast array of cleaning and beauty products, can also alter hormonal homeostasis , aggravating PCOS symptoms.
You can reverse PCOS and adopt a holistic approach to your care. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and menopause. Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS can often struggle to lose weight.
It is recommended by doctors to
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