Are you suffering from PCOS? Check this post prepared by the best naturopaths near Castlemaine and Bendigo for a certified natural and healthy way to help you.
PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It is a common diagnosis, affecting up to 10% of women. It represents a group of symptoms that either indicate or are related to a lack of ovulation. PCOS is accompanied by high levels of androgens – which are typically male hormones. The main symptom is irregular periods.
Your period may be late, or your bleeding may last for several days. The symptoms of PCOS seem to start gradually and often look like they might be related to other health conditions. There are a wide variety of PCOS symptoms that you may or may not personally experience. Even if you have one or two, you may experience it to a greater or lesser degree than another woman with PCOS.
PCOS Common Symptoms
The first main sign is irregular periods, to the point where you are not having a period every month. You may only have a nine, or less, menstrual cycles throughout the year – or maybe even none. When your period does happen, they are often more painful, heavier, and longer than what is ‘normal’. This occurs because the imbalance in your hormone levels.
The high androgen levels also cause another physical sign – excess hair growth. This extra hair tends to be in the lip, chin, abdomen, chest, back, pubic region, and other areas. Around 70% of women with PCOS have excessive hair growth.
Skin problems such as acne, oily skin, dandruff, and coloured patches may also be present. These occur due to excess testosterone.
Additional symptoms that might occur over time include mood swings, weight gain, fertility problems, insulin resistance, male pattern baldness, and sleep apnoea. Check our healthcare articles prepared by the best naturopaths.
Importance of Nutrition in PCOS
Here are some of the reasons why the food you eat impacts PCOS:
- What you eat influences your hormones; if you eat the right food, you can also help your body clear excess hormones.
- A healthy diet can help you to manage your weight, something that PCOS can exacerbate.
- Eating regularly can help you to manage your blood sugar levels which can help support your body in managing insulin levels.
- Nutritious food helps to prevent/correct nutritional deficiencies.
- Making healthy choices can be empowering, giving you back the control that it can seem like PCOS steals from you.
Have a chat with your Naturopath for more specific nutritional support to help you manage and reduce the severity of your PCOS symptoms.
