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What Is PCOS?
PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (or Stein-Leventhal). Sometimes it’s called PCOD, “D” for disease, often called “The Daughter of Diabetes", and Syndrome O.
PCOS is a serious disorder effecting 6 to 10% of all females with cases reported as young as 5 years old. Many don’t know they have PCOS until they start to go through infertility treatments or have unexplained menstrual issues and even then they may not get diagnosed. Sadly, many PCOSers never get diagnosed.
PCOS has serious risk factors; especially when left untreated. These risks include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, strokes, and heart attacks.
PCOS SYMPTOMS
[You may only present one symptom or none at all]
Cysts are not necessary to be PCOS. In turn, cysts do not mean you are PCOS. PCOS is diagnosed through symptoms, blood work of hormone levels and a 5 hour GTT is recommended.
•Acrochordons (skin tags), Acne, Acanthosis Nigricans (patches), Seborrhea (dandruff), Hidradenitis Suppurativa, other skin problems
•Chronic pelvic pain, migraines/headaches, bloating, water retention, swelling of hands/feet
•Frequent Yeast Infections, Urinary Tract Infections, Bladder issues
•Hyperandrogenism (+ testosterone, androstenedione &/or DHEAS)
•Restless Limb Syndrome, Sleeping problems
•Shaking, heartburn, uncontrollable hunger &/or mood swings before or after a meal
•Hyperinsulinemia (+ insulin levels), Insulin Resistance, Diabetes
•Depression, thoughts of ugliness, suicide or wishing to be dead/never born, feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, feeling less of a woman.
•Oligomenorrhea (Irregular) menses
•Amenorrhea (Absent) menses
•Alopecia (thinning of scalp hair)
•Hirsutism (excess unwanted hair)
•Hypertension (High B/P)
•Pregnancy complications, Infertility
•Endometriosis
•Persistent Anemia (low iron levels)
•Forgetfulness, fog brained, lack of concentration
•Cysts in many, but not all cases; Enlarged ovaries
•Weight Issues, Obesity (Centered around midsection)
A. Nothing (makes it worse and puts you at risk)
B. Diabetic Diet/Exercise (Treats PCOS and over all health)
C. Provera (Induces AF only). Provera allows you to accomplish a cycle while allowing you to keep your natural cycle.
D. Clomid (=/< 6 consecutive cycles) (Induces ovarian stimulation only)
E. GlucophageXR (MetforminER), Avandia, et al (Pharmaceutical treatment to PCOS). Glucophage (Metformin) & Clomid together have good ovulation/conception results.
F. Natural productsEvening Primrose, Cinnemon, Saw Palmetto, etc
G. Ovarian Drilling (Helps "refreshen" ovaries; Helps brings down androgen levels). Thermoscopy aka Ovarian Drilling cleans you out, gives you a fresh start and allows you to be more sensitive to protocol that may have not worked in the past. This proceedure is no longer just for those trying to conceive.
You may, of course, opt to combine several methods. I personally take naturals, Metformin, and have had Ovarian Drilling in 2001 with great success.
BIRTH CONTROL WARNING: Often times doctors prescribe Birth Control Hormones (BCH) for PCOS treatment. Birth control hormones do NOT treat PCOS - it only addresses a womans mentrual cycle, ovarian cysts and possibly ovarian enlargement. These are only symptoms and side affects of PCOS, not the root cause. BCH's give the false impression that your PCOS is being treated because symptoms get better. This is not the case. Once you get off the BCH's your symptoms will come flooding forward worse then before. This is because PCOS gets worse with age if left untreated and since BCH's do not treat the PCOS, it gets worse. In fact, there is a new study out that proves many BCH's may actually increase insulin resistant issue - the core problem to PCOS. It also may increase risk factors because the same risk factors associated with BCH's are the same risk factors associated with PCOS. In my opinion, BCH's should only be used TEMPORARILY for a few cycles if you need to shed a thick lining, or dealing with enlarged ovaries or overenlarged cysts. BCH's are also an alternative to treat a women when precancerous cells are found. If a cycle is the goal, look to provera and treating PCOS at the core problem with a lifestyle overhaul. Our natural cycles are our first guage at how our PCOS is functioning. If you take birth control hormones, you take away that guage.
**Make sure use of any of the above under the care of a physician only.**
2004 PCOS Statistics
•6-10% of all Females; ages 5+ years, are PCOS
•30% of all PCOSers register as Insulin Resistant
•50% of all PCOSers are overweight
•40% (up to) of “Unexplained Infertility” patients are actually PCOS and don't even know it!
•30% of all PCOSers do not present cysts
•20% of “Abnormal Glucose Tolerance” tests are PCOS
•40% of “Abnormal Glucose Tolerance” develop diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance by age 40
•20% of all infertility patients deal with ovulation problems
•5% of all infertility patients treat their infertility
•15% of all infertility patients treat their infertility in a mandated state for infertility coverage insurance
•75% of all IVF patients deliver a singleton
•20% of all IVF patients deliver twins
•5% of all IVF patients deliver triplets
•25% of normal pregnancies end in miscarriage
•35-40% of PCOS pregnancies end in miscarriage. This is a 10-15% increase risk over 'normal' pregnancies.
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AFTER: You can see the thermo pen in the images. The golden yellow is body fat....eweeee - LOL. I had a total of about 20 holes burned in my ovaries.
MY OVARIAN DRILLING
August 2001
BEFORE: I had 2 small naturally desolving cysts in one ovary. The OD was done to decrease built up hormones in the ovaries, not to reduce cysts because I had none to worry about.
Folic Acid: vital for normal cell growth and development
Protein: Provides amino acids necessary for the body's growth, development, and maintenance
Saw palmetto can lower testosterone levels by stifling the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotest (DHT), its more aggressive form. May be effective in treating excess hair growth in women.
Black Cohosh Extract reduces the serum concentration of pituitary leutenizing hormone (LH), which is associated with negative physical and psychic effects of pre-menstrual syndrome and menopause, such as hot flashes, uterine spasms, depression, and dysmenorrhea.
Red Raspberry Leaf contains the estrogen-like compounds that promote fertility. Also known for toning the uterus, increasing milk flow and the general restoration of the system following childbirth. The only known side effects are a mild loosening of stools and nausea.
Dong Quai is usually prescribed for irregular menstruation, PMS, anemia and weakness following childbirth. It has antispasmodic properties that help to alleviate cramps, and can tone a weak uterus by promoting metabolism within the organ. Dong Quai is sometimes called the "female ginseng," and is the most widely-used herb among Chinese women because of its reputation as a sex enhancer.
Chromium: Helps with Skin tags; Q Meal 1/2 - 3/4 tsp
Cinnamon: Natural Insulin sensitizer; Q Meal 1 tsp
Glutamine: Helps Insulin; High Blood sugar
Omega 3 & 6
Oils: Borage, Black Currant, Flaxseed
Evening Primrose: helps with cervical mucus
Calcium: Builds strong bones and teeth
Vitamin C: Helps maintain immune system function and healthy bone development
Complex Carbs: Provides energy to fuel the body and brain
Iron: Helps carry oxygen to the body cells
Zinc: Helps support healthy immune system
Vit A: Natural antioxidant. Helps support healthy eyes, skin and hair
Vit B's: Converts food to energy
Vit E: Antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, protecting cells from damage
Vitex (Chaste Berry) - the best to treat PCOS
This herb triggers the release of leutenizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland in the brain, which stimulates ovulation. Chaste berry, usually marketed under the name Vitex, comes in several forms and should be taken for at least four cycles to determine efficacy. Chaste berry is mostly used to promote fertility and to alleviate symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). In one study, 45 women ages 23-39 who were diagnosed with infertility took chaste berry once daily for three months. Thirty-nine of them became pregnant. The most-quoted studies were conducted in Germany and involved more than 1,500 women participants. Physicians and patients both reported 90% relief from PMS symptoms after taking chaste berry for one month. Also used for menstrual regulation, cramps, premenstrual acne, hormonal balancing, and vaginal dryness. Side effects include minor gastrointestinal upset and a mild rash with itching. Pregnant women are not advised to use this herb. Sometimes used as an herbal treatment for infertilityparticularly in cases with established luteal phase defect (shortened second half of the menstrual cycle) and high prolactin levels. In one study, forty-eight women diagnosed with infertility (ages twenty-three to thirty-nine) took Vitex once daily for three months. 21 Forty-five women completed the study, with successful treatment reported in thirty-nine women. Seven women became pregnant during the study, while in twenty-five of the women, progesterone levels normalizedwhich may increase the chances for pregnancy. Many doctors of natural medicine recommend taking 40 drops of a liquid extract of Vitex each morning with some liquid. Encapsulated powdered Vitex provides a similar amount of the product, with one capsule taken in the morning.
Nettle: Used for dandruff, arthritis, ease eczema, anemia, kidney failure, and more.
Accupunction
Accupressure
Massage Therapy
Exercise
What you eat is THE MOST important thing to help your PCOS. This is a lifestyle, not a diet.
If you dont watch what you eat and cut down (not out) the carbs, your system will not respond as it should and may give you more complications. Eating a diabetic diet plan will help prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and more.
The problem is, most of us just cant eat the same like a nonPCOSer/ nonDiabetic. We are much too special which requires very special attention.
· Add nuts - if possible - to your diet. This will help beat those cravings as well as keep your metabolism running. Nice source of proteins too!
· If you are going through the shakes or a craving-fit, DO NOT binge-eat. Instead, get a glass of milk or eat a piece of fruit while you prepare a meal.
· Try a smaller plate instead of the normal size ones. This will help on portion control.
· Try to fill your plate with more fruits and/or veggies, poultry, fish, etc instead of pasta, white rice or potatoes. These should be small portions if you must eat them.
As always - meet with a Registered Dietician at the Diabetes Center nearest you for a tailored lifestyle plan suitable to YOU. Each person is different with different needs, requirements and cutbacks. You must also take into consideration allergiessuch as latex. If you are latex allergenic, you should not eat soy, kiwi, and mangos. They all belong to the same family and can increase problems.
Dietary Tips:
· Switch to wheat instead of "white". Even pasta comes in wheat these days. Look for Barilla brand or pasta made with spinach instead.
· Reduce the amount of sugar intake. Try to get rid of as many sweets, sodas and foods made with a lot of sugar or anything ending in "ose". If possible, get snacks that say "Sugar Free". These can get you by those tough times.
· Eat more fruits, veggies and healthier foods instead of snacks like chips, cookies, etc. In fact, don't even keep them in your house. If you want something sweet, make yourself work for it by having to go out special to buy it.
· Try to eat about 5 to 6 SMALL meals a day, maybe even more. This will reduce your cravings, help to prevent overeating and bingeing, and keep your metabolism running. I eat every 2 hours.
Dietary Links:
Diabetic Diet & Recipes
Diabetic Diet
Recipes at Diabetes.org
The Diabetic Diet at Endocrinologist.com
Diabetes and your diet
Food Allergy Assoc
Metformin Tricks of the Trade:
Tips in taking Metformin in the beginning until you have fully adjusted:
First, try the Metformin ER version (once a day) - less side effects. Take it at night before you go to bed with a tall glass of milk or some ice cream. This will help you deal with issues at home instead of at work or during your functioning day. Avoid lowcarbing until you have adjusted. Avoid sugar free foods, fried foods, chocolate as much as possible, beans, a large amount of greens, Chinese food or other foods that increase gas and diarrhea.
Worsening Symptoms Talk to doctor. I tend to decrease my medication or split it throughout the day for several days when I have issues then slowly work back up to my regular dosage or all the pills together once symptoms have subsided for at least 2 days.
You should be eating 5 to 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large ones and snacks. Choose your food wisely. Try to add at least 4 to 5 twenty minute workouts in your week.
Always bring this information to your doctor before implementing.
Check out this news story done with New England Fertility Institute's Dr. Levy and I!
