I feel like I should be sharing facts daily for #PCOSAwarenessMonth. I’ll start this thread here.

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a condition that is caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. And although we tend to focus on the reproductive health, the symptoms impact your entire body:

- Acne (back, face, chin)
- Depression
- Difficulty losing weight
- Hirsutism

Although there is no cure for PCOS, food is a great source to manage your symptoms w/o ANY medication.

I’m no nutritionist, but I can tell you the meals that have helped me have 2 natural cycles in July & August w/o BC.

Click this pin for details https://pin.it/JkKTzc4 

BC regulates your periods and decreases cyst building on your ovaries.

I used it for 3 years. It does those two things well.

BC also exacerbated my depression and increased my appetite which in turn made me gain weight.

Know your body!

#PCOSAwarenessMonth

Also, not all BC is effective.

If it does not have estrogen *and* progestin, it’s not helping you.

The only way BC helps your PCOS symptoms is if it is balancing out your progestin and estrogen levels.

If you prefer BC, make sure it has BOTH and not just one hormone.

1 in 10 women have PCOS. There’s no cure but you can manage your symptoms by diet and exercise. Symptoms include:

- Irregular period
- cyst on ovaries
- fatigue
- acne
- hirsutism
- male patter baldness
- discoloration/skin darkening
- depressing
- anxiety

#PCOSAwarenessMonth

While it may be a daunting subject, women with #PCOS can have a healthy and happy pregnancy.

All bodies are different. But if you’re committed enough to do away with western eating standards, light exercise 3-5 x/wk, and take necessary supplements, you can make that baby!

This diet change helps ALL women w PCOS not just those who want to become pregnant. Key changes are:

- minimum sugar
- complex carbs
- dairy free
- minumum grains
- gluten free

Going cold turkey is never a good idea. Make a plan and execute in increments.

#PCOSAwarenessMonth

Let’s talk about birth control. I mentioned my experience and the fact that it needs to have progestin and estrogen already. But why do doctors prescribe BC once you’re diagnosed with PCOS?

Glad you asked: simply put, BC is a symptom *bandaid* for PCOS.

These are the main symptoms PCOS that BC *may* help with:

- having your period so you won’t develop cyst
- decreasing period pain
- controlling acne
- eliminating hirsutism

Notice I said *may*.

The truth is my period pain was still awful + acne still existent on the pill.

I stopped takin BC in June 2020, ate a clean carnivorous diet, exercised 6x a week, took my vitamins, and drank my water.

I’ve had 2 cycles and only one day of period pain since then.

#PCOS symptoms are meant to be managed, not bandaged. Change your mindset, change your life!

Let’s talk about #PCOS cravings.

Sugar is a happy drug. The more you eat it the better you feel. Your brain memorizes what made it feel good & wants more of it. Hence, sugar cravings.

But sugar complicates your hormonal balance. Decreasing sugar increases ya hormonal balance.

I wish I could intelligently explain how sugar impacts insulin resistance with #PCOS. Promise I’m working on figuring that out.

For now, all I can say is excess sugar decreases the chance that insulin does whatever it needs to do naturally. Lol. That’s all I’ve got there

I never accept a doctor telling me “change your diet and lose weight” unless they have a nutrition plan with it.

But instead of waiting on them to tell me what I can and can’t eat, I found out for myself. Hope this helps you as well! #PCOSAwarenessMonth

Also, alternatives for homemade flour dishes are:

• coconut flour
• almond flour
• cauliflower rice

#PCOSAwarenessMonth

It’s 2:34am my time. I’m wide awake.

Recently I’ve learned that sleep apnea and insomnia are also symptoms of PCOS.

This article does a great job of summarizing previous case studies on this topic #PCOSAwarenessMonth https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5799701/

Hirsutism always seemed like something to be ashamed off. Unwanted hair on my abdomen section has always been embarrassing.

This is a symptom of PCOS. While it can be frustrating, it can also be managed!

#PCOSAwarenessmonth

Today I learned something new.

PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome. Meaning we get cyst on our ovaries.

Well, there are also women with PCOS who don’t grow cyst on their ovaries!

Many want to change the name because of this misconception.

#PCOSAwarenessMonth

Another reason many want to change the name of PCOS is that it’s commonly mistaken as a fertility issue.

Yes, infertility is a symptom of unmanaged PCOS. But that’s not the only or main issue we face.

#PCOSAwarenessMonth

Skin discoloration is another symptom that’s not often discussed with #PCOS

My pits are the worst. The darkened skin is daunting when taking pics

Other areas that are commonly discolored:
- back of neck
- vagina

It’s caused by higher levels of insulin

#PCOSAwarenessMonth