Best Treatment for PCOS: 6+ most frequently asked questions to help Hormones, Insulin and More
Generally speaking, polycystic ovary syndrome/polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the US women of reproductive age. These symptoms can include irregular periods, elevated androgens, weight gain, and string-like cysts on the ovaries. It can also lead to other health issues. However, for women to get a diagnosis you only need 2 of the 3 symptom buckets:
1. Lack of ovulation (which can look like irregular periods),
2. Additional symptoms (hair loss, acne, hirsutism - aka unwanted hair, weight gain, etc.) and
3. Having polycystic ovaries.
Researchers believe the causes of polycystic ovary syndrome are complex, but through the right treatment, women can improve their health, reduce insulin resistance, and banish infertility.
Food choices can directly impact your PCOS journey
How can I reduce my Polycystic Ovary Syndrome quickly?
There's a lot we can do to help reduce PCOS symptoms, one of them is gaining PCOS awareness through a diagnosis.
If you feel like something is up with your hormones, seek out a doctor immediately.
While you wait on getting a diagnosis (it took me the better part of a year to finally get one), women can always make cosmetic changes, and try hair removal, buying clothes that currently fit their body (it took me a while to come to terms with my slow weight loss), and do lots of research.
I found that shaming myself was not the answer, and trying to squeeze into my old clothes was a depressing and losing battle. So, I started to focus on things that made me feel better, like purchasing a few items that fit better, and instead of ogling over a new item of clothing, treating myself to an item of makeup, or treating myself to a manicure.
There's nothing wrong with you! It's your hormones and you will find a way to manage it!
The reality is your health improvement might be on the slower side, but slow change means longer-lasting change. So think about how to support yourself while you're getting answers (therapy is always a good choice as you begin this patient journey).
Once diagnosed, women with PCOS can use traditional medicine to help with symptoms including regulating menstrual cycles, maybe improving infertility, and increasing chances of pregnancy. Doctors might prescribe metformin for insulin resistance (you do not need to be considered "obese" to be insulin resistant!) or spironolactone for unwanted hair growth, but getting these symptoms under control can take time.
While you might start to treat these symptoms, remember you still want to review what else is going on in your life. Maybe it's worth looking at more holistic treatments like food and related lifestyle changes. If you are working on your fertility, you should work with a practitioner who really understands traditional medications, who has experience helping women get pregnant, and knows how to handle hormone issues.
weight lifting can really help with PCOS
How can I reverse PCOS naturally?
Women with PCOS can improve their symptoms naturally. But when I say it's a lifestyle change, I mean it's called a change for a reason.
You have to change your life and specifically your diet to improve your hormones and PCOS. You'll want to review your food choices that might be impacting your hormones. Medications are certainly not a necessity to heal PCOS but it takes a lot of organization, and related research to improve infertility. It can also take a lot of awareness, but is there a risk to improving your health? With the right support, you can improve your PCOS hirsutism, and ovulation, and increase your chances of pregnancy, but always make sure you are getting the advice of a medical professional (clinical experience is a must).
Doctors can be daunting, but you got this!
Preparing for your appointment
If you have PCOS, you should consult a gynecologist or endocrinologist, or fertility doctor. You might also want to seek out help from a nutritionist or an integrative medicine practitioner. It can honestly take a team to figure out what's going on.
Here are some helpful tips that will help make preparing for your appointment more comfortable.
1. Keep a record of your periods.
It's annoying with PCOS, but even using an app like Flo or Daysy can help with this (remember, though, depending on your state of residence, this information could potentially be used against you).
2. Make a list of your PCOS symptoms.
Is your hair thinning? Is your acne flaring up? How's your blood sugar regulation? Is your weight increasing? Are you struggling to get pregnant? Know what exactly the top issues are so you can share them clearly with your provider. Here is a list of health issues, and items to write out and bring to your doctor:
Weight Gain
Hirsutism (unwanted hair growth)
Infertility (if you're trying to conceive)
Lack of ovulation (again you might be tracking this if you're trying to conceive)
Hair loss
Irregular menstrual cycles
diet (be prepared to share what you eat)
medicine you take
3. Remember that it can take several doctors to find the right combination of treatments.
So if you don't feel like you're getting answers, it's ok to research different doctors. It took me 3 doctors, and when I did a poll on Reddit, the majority of women with PCOS needed to see 3+ doctors.
4. It can take months for your treatment plan to start working so have patience as you go through the process.
5. Ask Questions
This is your time, your body, and your money so ask, ask ask! Women can sometimes feel shy speaking up for themselves, I know I have historically, but you are your best advocate. So if you have questions, get them answered and if your doctor isn't giving you good answers, ditch them!
Can I Lose Weight? It's really hard
Yes, you can! Women with PCOS have a harder time with weight loss due to hormones.
I promise: IT'S NOT YOU!
Remember you did nothing to deserve this PCOS and as hard as it is, there is light at the end of the tunnel, it just takes time. It probably requires several PCOS practitioners to help you figure out what's going on, but you can do it! Your health is not something to push to the side, and it just requires finding the right support.
Women need to get their hormones in check to help with PCOS, which you can do through metformin and other medications, but it's not required.
I have done it all without the help of too many medications, which means you can too!
Through food, you can reduce your insulin resistance
Through exercise, you can improve your health
In the meantime, as I've said before, maybe consider hair removal, and buying new clothes that fit. It takes time and that's the hardest pill to swallow.
I've written out resources on the site to help with the time it takes to lose PCOS weight. And communities on Reddit and Facebook are a great way for women with PCOS to talk about their individual experiences.
