The Big D Word and PCOS!

The Concept of Dieting as a lifestyle tool for PCOS has often been misrepresented and misunderstood by many as an excuse to promote weight loss not as a tool for helping the syndrome....

Over the past few years, it has become increasingly evident that PCOS is not only complicated to diagnose but, treat as well. Medications have been very effective in helping women with the syndrome combat many of the symptoms associated with PCOS however for many women, the effectiveness does not always last, using medication alone.

As result, there has been an emergence of information and tools to help women and girls control PCOS through lifestyle change. Lifestyle change has been clinically proven to reduce insulin sensitivity in patients with PCOS, allowing them to alleviate many of the symptoms such as weight, acne, infertility, mood alterations and irregular menstrual cycles.

Dieting is an example of a lifestyle tool which has often been misrepresented and misunderstood by many as a tool for helping PCOS, as often it is difficult for women with PCOS to loose weight due to insulin resistance.  Diet however, should not be thought of as simply loosing weight or only for women who are obese with PCOS.  The root of the word diet means nutrition and should be thought of as feeding our bodies and offering our bodies the proper nutrition.

"With insulin resistance (IR), your blood sugar levels rise in spite of high levels of insulin. Eventually type 2 diabetes may result. Yet positive changes in diet and exercise may postpone the development of diabetes. A PCOS diet reducing the amount of sugary carbs that you eat may offer the weight-loss and/or health benefits you seek.

To make these healthy PCOS diet changes, cut out white breads, pasta, potatoes, cereals, and some fruits and snack foods. Replace those items with healthy PCOS diet options like the following:

• Nutrient dense, high-fiber carbs 
• Foods high in protein (lean meats, legumes)
• Foods containing healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, fish)

Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian for a list of foods to try and a list of foods to avoid. And try to eat mini-meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels even" -PCOS and Strategies Article, Attain Fertility

 “Don’t do a diet, live a diet”. Dieting itself  is a restrictive concept and a restrictive pattern that is to last for a certain amount of time and then is to be completed. Reframe your thinking to eating to live, not living to eat, it is really the lifestyle change or the everyday patterns that a person goes through that dictates what they are going to weigh and how they are going to feel!

Lifestyle changes are what ultimately dictates success and diet for PCOS is more than controlling carbohydrates and sugars, it is the development of lifestyle pattern, which will ultimately help women with PCOS live healthier lives by engaging in becoming active participants in their health.

PCOS and Cardiac Risk

Author: Ashley Levinson, PCOS Awareness Advocate
Twitter: @jerzgurlie
Learn More about PCOS: @GoTeal4PCOS and @PCOSAA

A study conducted by the Royal Free and University College Medical School in London found that women with PCOS were nearly twice as likely to suffer from atherosclerosis (plaque deposits in the arteries), than women without the syndrome. Atherosclerosis sharply increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke."The implication is that a common condition thought to be primarily a gynecological problem may predispose women to heart disease," says lead author Paul Hardiman, M.D., a Senior Lecturer in obstetrics and gynecology.

Coronary heart disease is the largest killer of men and women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Previous research has linked PCOS, which is one of the most common causes of infertility in reproductive aged women, with multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease, including Diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Women with PCOS often have elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity and of course, Insulin Resistance, which is the underlying cause of PCOS.

Insulin Resistance increases a person's risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, and this condition sharply increases the risk of heart disease. Previous research has estimated that these factors can cause up to a seven-fold increase in risk for heart attack for women with PCOS compared to those without it. In the London study, there was no significant difference in age or in total cholesterol, HDL ("good") or LDL ("bad") cholesterol among the groups taking part. However, compared to women with normal ovaries, those with PCOS had significantly higher weight, blood pressure and insulin levels.Researchers have found that PCOS, with its symptomatic disorders of hypertension, excessive fat tissue in and around the abdominal area, blood fat disorders (high triglycerides and low HDL), high blood pressure, Hyperandrogenism (elevated levels of male hormones) and Insulin Resistance, put sufferers at higher risk of developing future serious, life-threatening health conditions such as coronary heart disease and stroke.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a broad term that describes any disorder that can impact the functioning of the heart muscle itself or the cardiovascular system. Conditions that contribute to heart disease include: high blood pressure, Cardiovascular Disease, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), atherosclerosis and more. The causes of heart disease include: elevated LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, obesity, elevated blood pressure, Diabetes, cigarette smoking and lack of physical activity - many of the underlying conditions found in both PCOS and Insulin Resistance.Chronic high levels of glucose and insulin are classic symptoms of Insulin Resistance and PCOS.

One of the primary risk factors for arteriosclerosis is an elevated level of triglycerides and the biggest risk factor for increasing the production of triglycerides is the rate of your insulin secretion.Insulin is produced in your pancreas and released into the circulatory system where it is the key to the absorption of glucose by your cells. If your cells resist insulin, both insulin and glucose build up in your blood. Excess insulin leads to weight gain and high blood pressure - both precursors to heart disease. As insulin comes in contact with the interior wall of the arteries, it damages the tissue, causing the initial injury that produces plaque. Therefore, having Insulin Resistance and PCOS directly cause changes in the blood lipids and overall cardiovascular health that contribute to the formation of heart disease.

Recommendations for reducing heart disease risk are the same as those for reducing Insulin Resistance: decreasing insulin, balancing cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. It all involves managing PCOS to minimize current symptoms and an attempt to delay or prevent worsening of the underlying conditions that lead to heart disease. This can be done through careful food choices, exercise and weight loss in overweight individuals. But a multi-faceted approach is clearly necessary to address all the symptoms of these conditions.

To learn more about heart health please visit Dr. Sarah Samaan on Twitter @heartsmarter and The AHA Philly @AHAPhilly

PCOSAA.. Advocating for better PCOS Health

The PCOS Awareness Association (PCOSAA) has unveiled what is quickly becoming a definitive resource for information, awareness and support for polycystic ovary syndrome.

PCOSAA offers an array of resources for PCOS including their Q&A page to tools for managing life with PCOS, it also gives Professionals from around the globe an opportunity to share tips, research and most importantly perspectives on PCOS, PCOS Symptoms and PCOS treatments and management.

Information is a key component to understanding, accepting and managing PCOS.  Armed with the proper resources, women and girls can make informed decisions about their health and the best treatment options for their situations.

In wanting to provide comprehensive FREE resources for the visitors of this new website, PCOSAA has begun partnering with some of the leading experts, organizations and advocates for PCOS, symptoms associated with PCOS and treatments for PCOS.

You need to learn all you can. The Internet, social media and patient advocacy groups such as PCOSAA are invaluable. Beware of quick fixes, or unsupported boasting, and anecdotal reports. Some general rules about PCOS are emerging, but each individual with PCOS is unique!

PCOSAA realizes this very important fact, that each individual with PCOS is in fact unique and what may work for one person may not work for another. It is refreshing to see so many resources, options and perspectives being presented and offering new solutions for this often undiagnosed and under recognized syndrome.

PCOS is often mislabeled which also can lead to terrible medical issues such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. This is why having all the information about PCOS in one place, just as PCOSAA was set up to do, is going to be crucial as more and more are diagnosed within the coming years.

If you are an expert or know an expert in the field of PCOS, PCOS treatments and/or PCOS management, contact us to find out how to get involved info@pcosaaa.org or visit our website PCOSAA and click on our contact us button!

Four little letters, One big problem!!

So why is there such a fuss over  the 4 letters PCOS??

Author: Ashley Levinson, 

PCOS Awareness Advocate @GoTeal4PCOS

PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a syndrome that affects millions, yet what it is, what is does and who it affects is still gravely unrecognized and misunderstood. It is the lack of consensus about the syndrome, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated that lead many to believe it is rare. However, this is a misconception that needs to be corrected.

Additionally, PCOS is also a metabolic disorder that affects several body systems and can cause significant long-term health consequences including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers and stroke making it a precursor to some of the leading causes of death and disability in women today.  The costs of these inadequacies create a financial and wellness burden on our health system.

As outlined in the Article " Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Carries a High Price Literally and Figuratively, So Why Is No One Talking About It?" the following is a listing of the costs associated with the lack of information, resources and proper management tools for the syndrome...

"Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – the most common endocrine-related condition of reproductive-aged women – affects nearly 4 million women in the U.S. and costs $4.36 billion annually, according to a new report released today by The Endocrine Society. The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, shows that increased screening for PCOS may reduce the overall economic burden associated with the condition. Following are highlights from the study:

-     Costs from PCOS-associated diabetes = $1.77 billion 

-     Costs from treating menstrual dysfunction/abnormal uterine bleeding associated with    PCOS = $1.35 billion

-     Costs from treating hirsutism (excessive hair growth), a side effect of PCOS, = $622 million 

-     Costs from providing infertility care for PCOS patients = $533 million 

                       

BUT, the costs of the initial evaluation of PCOS are just $93 million.

 Source: https://www.endocrine.org/news-room/press-release-archives/2005/pcoscost

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal problem in women and the leading cause of infertility for women of reproductive age, worldwide. Statistics show PCOS to affect up to 10% of women and girls. The following are some staggering statistics from Right Diagnosis (http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/p/pcos/stats.htm) outlining just how prevalent this syndrome may be.

Prevalance of Polycystic ovary syndrome: 5-10% women of childbearing age (20-40); 30% of women have some PCOS symptoms (NWHIC).

Prevalance Rate: approx 1 in 40 or 2.50% or 6.8 million people in USA [about data]

Prevalance of Polycystic ovary syndrome: An estimated five to 10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS (ages 20-40). At least 30% of women have some symptoms of PCOS. (Source: excerpt from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): NWHIC)

Despite the prevalence of the condition many government agencies define it as rare...PCOS is listed as a rare disease by the following government agencies.  Ophanet defines rare when it affects 1 in 2000 people. NORD defines rare as a disease or syndrome affecting less than 200,000 people in a population, such as the United States.  The agencies listing PCOS as rare are....

NIH - National Institutes of Health

Ophanet - A consortium of European Partners

NORD - National Organization of Rare Diseases

The symptoms of PCOS can be not only physically debilitating, but also emotionally and psychologically wrenching. While no two women may have the same symptoms of PCOS, they are likely to include any or all of the following: Infertility, Irregular or absent periods, Excess hair growth on face and body, Male-Pattern hair thinning, Acne, Obesity and Lipid Abnormalities

While these symptoms easily help identify a problem, the cause of PCOS is not yet fully understood. It is thought that there are several causes, which could explain why different women have such varying symptoms to varying degrees of severity. This could also explain why less than half of those estimated to have PCOS, actually know they have it and experience delays in getting a diagnosis.

Many physicians often misdiagnose PCOS based on the fact that they look at the symptoms individually, rather than as a complete picture. Furthermore, since many of the symptoms involve a woman's reproductive system, PCOS is often mistaken for a gynecological disorder. It is, however, a disorder of the endocrine system, involving hormones and hormone production

Finding the proper PCOS diagnosis requires obtaining blood samples for a variety of hormones, including those produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, pituitary gland and thyroid gland. A full physical examination and screening for cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and insulin should also be part of a complete evaluation.

The other difficulty in PCOS being recognized the PCOS is there is often a stigma attached to many of the symptoms of PCOS, which may inhibit a woman from discussing various symptoms with her doctor such as facial and body hair, infertility and obesity. Some women may even suffer from depression as a result of dealing with these symptoms. Therefore, Public information and awareness about the symptoms and the serious nature of the disorder are crucial to identifying women in need of treatment.

As a result of all of this, prior to a few years ago, PCOS had been largely rarely diagnosed. The information to make a proper diagnosis just wasn't there. Your concerns, in many cases, would have been dismissed. Now the medical community is realizing it is more than menstrual irregularities, it's a lifelong condition that can take years off of your life.

As more information, research and advocacy surfaces for this syndrome, The public, medical professional and government agencies will no longer be able to ignore the significance and impact this syndrome has on women’s health.

To learn more about PCOS and to join the initiative to raise awareness for PCOS please join me personally on Twitter @GoTeal4PCOS #GOTeal4PCOS

And please visit and join The PCOS Awareness Association http://www.pcosaa.org  and on Twitter @PCOSAA

What Every Woman and Girl needs to Know about PCOS and Why

Author: Ashley Levinson

PCOS Awareness Advocate Ashley Levinson, after over ten years of service to the PCOS Community is aggressively campaigning for more awareness, exposure and education for PCOS( Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) For Ashley who was diagnosed with PCOS in 1999, PCOS Awareness has been played a key role in helping her learn to live and deal with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Ashley says, "PCOS Awareness has to happen now to ensure women and girls do not have to go through another day, month or year of silent suffering." Up to 10% of women and girls worldwide have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a complex hormonal disorder for which there is no cure. However, with proper education, diagnosis and treatment, effective management is possible. For many, like Ms. Levinson Polycystic Ovary Syndrome means having to face daily battles with a range of symptoms that can vary from woman to woman such as infertility, dark skin patches, obesity, acne, hair loss, excess facial and body hair and skin tags.

PCOS is a physical and emotional drain on many individuals with the syndrome due to the devastating external manifestations and hormonal imbalances produced as a result of this syndrome?, says Ms. Levinson. Many women with PCOS are insulin resistant, a condition that raises the level of insulin circulating in the body and in many cases causes women with PCOS to become overweight or obese. If left untreated PCOS can be a precursor to many life threatening conditions including type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney problems. This means PCOS contributes to some of the leading causes of death and disability in women today! Ashley plans to incite, inspire and empower the PCOS Community to speak very openly about their struggles, symptoms, and trials to overcome the illness, to help other women and girls understand the syndrome and seek the proper resources to help them manage their lives with PCOS. She hopes to be a driving force in changing the way the public, media and government views PCOS education, treatment and coverage for medical procedures and treatments, as a result of PCOS. " I find it very unsettling that male impotence medications are covered by most insurance companies but, women who have a legitimate endocrine disorder that requires the care of a doctor and specific medications have to struggle come up with money so they can receive the proper treatment!", says Ms. Levinson.

Ashley's desire to spread awareness stems from what she and many other women with PCOS have gone through, years without the proper diagnosis and not knowing what was truly wrong. Thousands of women from around the country have experienced the same lack of response from the medical community with little understanding of PCOS and the best way to treat it. Many medical professionals still view the syndrome as a gynecological problem and only address the syndrome when issues of infertility arise. As a result, single women, older women and those not trying to get pregnant often still have little chance of being diagnosed. Prior to a few years ago, PCOS had been largely misunderstood and rarely diagnosed. "The information to make a proper diagnosis just wasn't there," said Ashley. "Your concerns, in many cases, would have been dismissed. Now the medical community is realizing it is more than menstrual irregularities, it's a lifelong condition that can take years off of your life", says Ashley. Part of the problem, then and now, is that the PCOS symptoms manifest themselves in different ways. In fact, not all affected women have polycystic ovaries. Women with PCOS can have any combination of symptoms of varying severity. As a result, researchers, doctors and women themselves look at the symptoms individually rather than collectively. "It Is my personal goal to ensure every medical professional makes the proper diagnosis. Furthermore, I think girls who are coming of age should learn about PCOS when they are learning about sex education in school ", said Ms. Levinson, who continues to dedicate her life to PCOS Awareness and Advocacy.

Ms. Levinson has be taking the first step in making this happen by sharing her story through various media outletsincluding:

June 2005 -The Gloucester County Times

Sept. 2005 - Ashley personal journey Featured on Discovery Health Channel Mystery Diagnosis

October 2005 - personal story in Woman's World Magazine

Fall 2005 - Article featured in NY Trend

Fall 2006- Pocono Record - Journey with PCOS

Spring 2007 - Top Ten finalist in Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year for PCOS Advocacy

October 2010 - Glamour Magazine featured article about PCOS and Endometriosis

February 2014 - Shorty Award Nominee for PCOS Activism

Taking your Life Back from PCOS With Lifestyle Management!

Taking your Life Back from PCOS With Lifestyle Management!


PCOS is a syndrome that affects women and girls both physically and emotionally. As such, with any syndrome that affects your overall well-being, you need to find the tools necessary to help you  regain your inner strength and live a healthier life.  

The benefits of a healthy lifestyle have been preached since the beginning of time.  Even if you are not trying to loose weight, the health benefits associated with proper diet, exercise and mental health can have long-lasting positive results, which is why lifestyle management for PCOS has become such a hot commodity.

"For women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), making some healthy lifestyle changes can be very helpful in managing the condition. Lifestyle management is important for all women with PCOS – whether you are overweight or in the healthy weight range. Even when not actively trying to lose weight, adopting a healthy diet will ensure that you are receiving a healthy intake of nutrients, vitamins and minerals and can reduce your long-term risk of disease such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity also increases energy levels, improves self esteem and reduces anxiety and depression.

Managing your weight includes preventing excess weight gain if you are a healthy weight, losing weight if you are overweight or maintaining weight loss long-term. Weight management can be much better achieved by combining diet with physical activity and behaviour change than by simply dieting alone."

Source - http://www.managingpcos.org.au/lifestyle-and-pcos#sthash.CELVjxy6.dpuf (Jean Hailes)

So How do we do this??

1. Stop Dieting

Whether you are trying to loose weight our just maintain your health, making the right food choices to maintain your health with PCOS is important. The root of the word "Diet" means nutrition so instead of starving our bodies we need to nourish them with the right foods,

Replace the carbs, sugars, high fat and some starches and replace them with nutrient dense foods!!

Foods to Eat

- High fiber carbs
- High protein Foods- lean meats and legumes
- Foods containg healthy fats - nuts, fish and some oils

Foods to Avoid

· Fried foods
· Foods high in sugar
· Soda
· Meats injected with additional hormones
· Refined carbohydrates such as chips, cake, cookies

· Highly processed meats

You can chat with some of the top nutritionists for PCOS right on twitter - PCOSNutrition @pcosnutrition 
and Martha McKittrick @citygirlbites Fertility Chef @fertilitychef They can help you with different diets, supplements and approaches to eating and nourishing for better health!

2. Start Exercising

Regular exercise has incredible benefits that go way beyond weight loss. It improves the mind, body and spirit improving overall physical and mental health leading to healthier lives and minimizing serious health consequences associated with the syndrome

Benefits -

- Regulates blood sugar

- Increases self confidence

- Increases weight loss / helps maintain healthy weight

- Increases metabolism

- Increases endorphins, which helps your overall mood

To learn more about the benefits of exercise please visit @CurvesDonelson and while exercising you can make the time pass by listening to The Dan Tennick Show +The Dan Tennick Show @DanTennickShow on Twitter

3. Try a different Approach.. 

Many have found major health benefits from adding supplements to their diets, especially with taking medications for PCOS like metformin and BCPs which tend to deplete some of the vitamins necessary for our systems to function properly and for us to feel good.  Additionally, many women are now turning to alternative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) as alternatives to taking pills) While there is no conclusive findings on outcomes of these approaches, research and word of mouth is indicating some of the benefits of these practices....

- Acupuncture 

In the current study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, a group of women with PCOS were given acupuncture where the needles were stimulated both manually and with a weak electric current at a low frequency that was, to some extent, similar to muscular work. A second group was instructed to exercise at least three times a week, while a third group acted as controls. All were given information on the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet.

"The study shows that both acupuncture and exercise reduce high levels of testosterone and lead to more regular menstruation," says docent associate professor Elisabet Stener-Victorin, who is responsible for the study. "Of the two treatments, the acupuncture proved more effective."

- Yoga

1. Holding weight-bearing poses builds muscle.  In turn, increased muscle mass helps to combat insulin resistance – one of the keys to PCOS management.
2. An active yoga practice can increase heart rate, providing a cardiovascular workout and leading to weight loss.
3. Third, certain asanas and pranayama exercises promote hormonal balance and deep relaxation, helping to bring the adrenal and cortisol levels of stressed-out PCOS minds and bodies in check, and assisting in healing from chronic inflammation.
4. Yoga philosophy and Ayurveda, or traditional Indian medicine, similarly describe certain poses as stimulating energy systems within the body that may be stagnant in women with PCOS as a means to bring the body into balance.

Source: PCOS Diva@pcosdiva - http://www.pcosdiva.com/2013/02/4-reasons-why-yoga-is-beneficial-for-pcos/

-Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

TCM seeks to readdress the entire hormonal environment in PCOS, promote ovulation, improve egg quality, support conception and prevent a miscarriage if a pregnancy is achieved.
Deficiency of Spleen Qi and Kidney Yang, Accumulation of Phlegm and Damp are the identified issues with PCOS

Kidney Deficiency, Disharmony of Chong and Ren Channels
Constitutional kidney qi deficiency, prolonged illness, excessive sexual activity, long term intake of oral contraceptive pills, can all affect the kidney function and result in the depletion of kidney yin or/and kidney yang, leading to a failure of its ability to dominate the body’s fluids, warm the uterus with a poor nourishment of chong and ren channels. Therefore, the uterus is unable to get adequate blood flow, causing prolonged menstrual cycle with scanty bleeding or amenorrhea occurs.

Spleen Qi Deficiency, Accumulation of Phlegm and Damp in the Uterus
Over consumption of greasy, fatty and sugary foods, dairy products and alcohol; or excessive worrying and excessive physical work may impair spleen function, causing a failure of transporting fluids and food into useable energy. Accumulated body fluid then transform into damp and phlegm, obstruct the qi and blood flow in the uterus and blocks the chong and ren channels. Consequently, the uterus and ovaries are starved of blood supply, leading to irregular and scanty periods, or even amenorrhea and infertility.

Liver Qi Stagnation and Blood stasis
Enduring stress, depression or anxiety may lead to internal impairment of the seven emotions, causing liver qi stagnation and blood stasis; or invasion of pathogenic wind and cold. Together with excessive consumption of cold foods and drinks, they congeal the blood and cause blood stasis, which obstructs the chong and ren channels and prevents menstruating and therefore amenorrhea. Long term liver qi stagnation could eventually transform into heat, or excessive pathogenic heat invasion exhausts the kidney yin and blood and then causes irregular periods, or heavy and clotty bleeding.

Souce: Liqin Zhao, Chinese Medicine Times http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/article.php/124/a_comprehensive_treatment_of_polycystic_ovarian_syndrome_pcos

Supplements for PCOS -

Supplements used in treating PCOS aim at inducing regular ovulation, lowering androgens and modifying insulin resistance

Some of the more popular supplements for PCOS

1. Vitex, or chasteberry - this supplement will help to balance fertility and sex hormones. It will also help with acne control. This is the most popular of the supplements for women with PCOS and other hormonal disorders.

2. Cinnamon - this is taken before meals to balance blood glucose. In turn, when blood glucose is balanced, insulin is also balanced. It also helps with appetite control as well.

3. Saw Palmetto - a popular supplement for men for prostate health but also benefits women with PCOS since their hormone levels are sometimes high in androgrens and testosterone. This supplement will help with hirsutism, which is hair growth on the face and neck, as well as acne and hormone balance.

4. Chromium - this is similar to cinnamon and is used for glucose balance.

5. d-Pinitol - this is to balance fertility and sex hormones, glucose control and weight and appetite control. This is another popular supplement for women with PCOS.

6. Donq Quai - the has been referred to as the female geinsing and is useful for irregular menstrual cycles as well as for PMS control.

7. Black Cohosh - this supplement helps with PMS control and it also lowers blood pressures.

There are many other options to explore as well such as juicing, paleo and ketogenic diets!!!

4. Get your Groove Back

PCOS is not a life sentence.. Sometimes it may feel like you have lost control but, you can get it back! Having a happy mind and fulfilled spirit can often help you overcome things that seem overwhelming. it's time to reclaim your life!!

PCOS Reclaim Your Life Program

Leela Life Coaching is a great resource for helping you get your groove back...

"Life doesn’t have to be all about PCOS.  It doesn’t have to be the all-treatment-all-the-time channel.  You can pay attention to your hobbies; you can feel better about your body; you can make the changes that you need to make and spend your time and energy on your family and loved ones."

"The three month PCOS Reclaim Your Life program, we start by developing an individualized habits plan for you, based on your life, your needs, and your doctor’s recommendations.  This is not a one-size-fits-all arrangement; your program is based on your needs, your situation, and your goals.  We’ll talk about your long-range dreams, your values, and not just what you want but why you want it.

Then we make it happen.  With weekly homework (and consequences or rewards if you need them!) we develop your habits from the ground up.  We set goals that you can reach, and incentives that work for you.  Eating, exercise, down time, relaxation (did you know stress hormones make it harder to lose weight?), family time, and even techniques for reconnecting with your body and with your sweetie are in the plan.  We talk about how to set limits and boundaries and how to get others to honor them so you can have the life you want without the stress of having to justify it."

Source: http://leelalifecoaching.com/blog/pcos-coaching/

So remember... 

Physical Activity, Proper Nourishment and a Healthy Mind are the keys to living a healthier life with any life-altering syndrome, especially polycystic ovary syndrome. Size, age, or where you are in life does not matter, lifestyle management is important to minimize long-term health consequences associated with PCOS such as; heart disease, diabetes and forms of cancer as well as the psychological strains such as depression and anxiety.

Take the steps you need to find your inner peace with PCOS!

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.  I got married, divorced, and eventually remarried again.  I had gained weight during my first marriage that I attributed to being less active and more of a happily married homebody couple.  I lost weight afterwards as I was out dancing for hours on end three to four nights a week.  I gained weight again in my second marriage and attributed it to the same thing.

In 2001, my husband and I decided to start a family.  Knowing I would have problems, we went straight to a reproductive endocrinologist.  Pre-IVF testing this time showed I did have PCOS (along with an immune issue).  The doctor put me on Metformin to help me lose weight before any cycles to conceive.  I wasn’t on it for long when my husband and I decided to build our family another way.  My weight wasn’t a big issue at the time, and I still didn’t know all I do now about PCOS, so I stopped taking the Metformin.

To build our family, we chose surrogacy – traditional surrogacy.  That involves having someone else carry your child and having that same woman donate her egg.  When my husband and I were deciding on which option to pursue, it occurred to me one day that I might pass on PCOS and any other fertility issues to her.  I realized it was no guarantee, but if I could avoid it, I was going to do it.  I just wanted to be a mom and it truly didn’t matter how that happened.

I’m now at a point in my life where I need to do something about my weight and my health.  When I entered my second marriage, I was so incredibly embarrassed about having to shave my face every day.  I don’t think I told anyone … and I mean anyone … until about two years ago, not even my husband.  Thankfully, he’s an incredible man and it made absolutely no difference to him … neither the hair nor the weight.  But, I need to get and be healthy for my daughter.  I want to be around for the long haul, especially since I’m an older mom.  I have the self-confidence every woman should have because of who they are on the inside.  I wish I had this all along and will do all I can to instill it in my daughter.

 I’m lucky.  I don’t have debilitating symptoms that some women with PCOS do.  Right now, I’m thoroughly educating myself on PCOS so I can help others, and to get the word out and educate the public so no woman with PCOS ever feels embarrassed by what others may think.

Knowledge is power, right?