PCOSgurl's 101

This is a great list from PCOSgurl! 

The 2019 PCOSgurls Guide to Life With PCOS101 List

This is always one of my favorite posts to share every year for #PCOSAwarenessMonth

Below are some of my favorite facts, figures, myths and quips about #PCOS

While these are just tidbits...

there is ALOT to learn about
#PCOS

To learn more please visit PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association

Pcoschallenge.org

And follow me on social media @pcosgurl

1. #PCOS is the acronym for polycystic ovary syndrome an endocrine disorder affecting approximately 1 in 5 women worldwide.

2. #Menopause neither cures nor eliminates #PCOS. In fact, PCOS usually worsens at menopause due to weight gain and loss of hormones.

3. #Bulimia is common in women with #PCOS. About 6% of PCOS patients have bulimia, compared to about 1% of other women.

4. #PCOS research indicates insulin resistance, blood sugar regulation, #inflammation, and #hormone levels appear to be linked!

5. Women with #PCOS are much more likely to suffer from a variety of sleep disturbances including #insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.

6. Approximately 50% of women with PCOS develop #diabetes by age 40

7. It is possible that a diagnosis of #PCOS can be missed or delayed because some symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and conditions

8. Although obesity can be related to lifestyle issues, there are medical causes for weight gain or #obesity that may go undiagnosed such as #PCOS

9. To confirm a diagnosis of #PCOS two of three major symptoms must be present: menstrual abnormality, excess androgen and polycystic ovaries.

10. There is an Increased prevalence of #NAFLD (non alcoholic fatty liver disease) reported in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome #PCOS

11. The prevalence of #PCOS in #FTM #transgender males is 11.5% transgender, binary, queer and gay members of our community need to be recognized!

12. #With #PCOS it is imperative that women have a period at least every three months. Going longer than this increases risks of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer greatly

13. With #PCOS Physical activity increases energy levels, improves self esteem and reduces #anxiety and #depression

14. Some of the most difficult symptoms of #PCOS are ones you dont see infertility, depression, irregular menses, hormone imbalance

15. Approximately 34% of women with #PCOS have #depression and 45% have #anxiety

16. A study of Swedish #women with #PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome showed they are 15% more likely to develop any #cancer vs. women without the condition, with risk further elevated for #cancers of the endometrium, ovary, pancreas and kidney

17. PCOS is a disorder of the entire endocrine system — the brain, pituitary gland, pancreas, liver, fat, and ovaries.

18. People should not assume #PCOS is a syndrome associated solely with the ovaries and female hormones. It affects several body systems and is an endocrine syndrome

19. PCOS tends to run in families; it is important to ask about family history as there are often genetic markers beyond PCOS that may indicate a predisposition to having PCOS such as #diabetes, #cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol

20. Some #Doctors may show prejudice if a #woman is #overweight and as a result may overlook a patient's obvious #PCOS #symptoms.

21. Many women with #PCOS report low sexual satisfaction from hormone disruptions & body image..

22. Some women with PCOS are estrogen dominant (meaning their estrogen levels are too high and progesterone too low), resulting in long menstrual cycles, heavy cramping, intense PMS symptoms and infertility

23. There is some suggestion that because normal lab values may be set too high, variations may be missed and many women go undiagnosed with #PCOS

24. There are often stigmas attached to many of the symptoms of #PCOS, particularly facial and body hair, #infertility and #obesity

25. There is a positive to shaving with #PCOS... women who shave have younger-looking skin because shaving removes dead skin cells it's called #dermaplaning !

26. Women who lose weight with #PCOS do three very important things:

Exercise
Eat a nutrient-dense diet
Reduce their stress.

27. Caffeine and other stimulants cause increases in insulin production which have proven to have a negative impact on women with #PCOS

28. Athough it may feel like it, you are not alone in your struggle with #PCOS. There are millions of women experiencing the same emotions

29. Recent studies recommend that women with #PCOS exercise at a minimum of 160 minutes per week to be proactive and ward off #diabetes

30. Studies show women with #PCOS benefit most when eating 25g to 30g of dietary fiber. So make sure you fill up on leafy greens and fruits!

31. Adding lean protein to your diet is a metabolic booster for #PCOS and helps you feel full!!!

32. Women with #PCOS should eat every 3 hours to help stabilize insulin levels throughout the day..

33. An anti-inflammatory diet for #PCOS focuses on drastically reducing intake of gluten, dairy, inflammatory oils, sugar and processed food and replacing with organic, fiber-rich fruits; vegetables and whole grains; healthy fats and lean protein

34. #PCOS is considered to be a diagnosis of exclusion, in that it can only be diagnosed when all other possibilities have been eliminated.

35. Nicotine, along with alcohol, have been proven to worsen the circulating insulin in #PCOS, making symptoms worse

36. With #PCOS use as little salt as possible try to keep below 6 grams of salt a day to help with inflammation.

37. Often, cholesterol and triglyceride levels are raised and insulin resistance is evident for many women with #PCOS

38. With #PCOS excess insulin signals the ovaries to work overtime to secrete testosterone (excess androgens) which creates symptoms!

39. PCOS extreme diets dont work
Nourish your body with healthy fats and amino acids, as opposed to starving it of these minerals! Balance

40. Digestion can be an issue at different times of the month for women suffering from PCOS. Thats why gut health is so important with PCOS

41.

PCOS Acne factors:

Insulin resistance
Excess Androgens
Stress
inflammation in body

42. A PubMed study shows that taking gluten out of the diet may reduce inflammation and insulin resistance in PCOS

43. #Probiotics are fabulous for helpiing #PCOS with hormone balance because they restore healthy gut bacteria and reduce inflammation

44. Women with #PCOS tend to have higher rates of oxidative stress. Foods high in anxtiodants, can help reduce this inflammation

45. With #PCOS abnormalities in calcium balance may be responsible for irregular menstruation and are linked to vitamin D deficiency.

46. PCOS Symptoms may increase over time, leading to more serious health complications.... diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer

47. Due to an increase in male hormones (androgens), #PCOS can cause extra hair to grow on different parts of your body.

48. An ultrasound is not essential for diagnosing #PCOS, since the presence or lack of cysts does not necessarily indicate or preclude PCOS.

49. Many recommend going organic for PCOS because many animal products have hormones which can aggravate estrogen dominance.

50. In general, women with PCOS reach #menopause 2-5 years later than women without PCOS.

51. Women with #PCOS may have more testosterone and can therefore build #muscle easier than women without PCOS

52. The symptoms of #PCOS usually present at puberty, but it may take many years before patients are correctly diagnosed.

53. #Anxiety (as well as #depression) affects many living with #PCOS. Having low levels of #magnesium is believed to be an underlying cause of anxiety.

54. More than $4 billion is spent in the US every year just to find and treat PCOS. But less than 0.1% of government funding is spent on PCOS research, diagnosis and treatments.

55. Girls that have #PCOS typically develop #acne as one of their first symptoms, making this condition difficult to diagnose.

56. Approximately 34% of women with #PCOS Polycystic Ovary Syndrome suffer from acne symptoms.

57. With #PCOS because the eggs fail to mature on a regular basis, #ovulation occurs very infrequently, often at four to six month intervals

58. PCOS may develop in girls as young as eleven, but it can also develop later, in your teens, twenties, or beyond.

59. SIGNS OF PCOS

Time between periods longer than 35 days

Fewer than 8 periods per year

No period for 4 months or longer

60. About 50% of women with PCOS have prolonged intervals between their #menstrual periods

61. About 20% of women with #PCOS have no menstrual periods (this is known as #amenorrhoea)
#MenstruationMatters

62. With #PCOS increased androgens in the body may cause hair loss, thinning hair, or male pattern baldness.

63. Hyperandrogenism (increased androgens) in PCOS may cause oily skin with increased acne

64. Women with #PCOS may experience pain or discomfort in the pelvis, abdomen or lower back. Pain may be dull or stabbing, ranging in intensity.. this may be due to cysts or pelvic crowding from inflammation

65. It is common for women with #PCOS to have family members who have #diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia or cardiovascular disease

66. It is common for women with #PCOS to have been unusually small or unusually large babies at birth

67. High blood pressure is very common in women with PCOS. Get your blood pressure checked regularly!!!

68. PCOS Foods to avoid

Fried foods
High sugar
Soda
Meats injected with hormones
Refined carbohydrates
Highly processed meats

69. Exercise for PCOS has incredible benefits that go beyond weight loss. It improves mind, body and spirit improving overall physical and mental health

70. PCOS #exercise benefits

Regulates blood sugar
Increases confidence
Increases metabolism
Lowers Insulin
Increases endorphins, helps mood

71. Both #acupuncture and #exercise for #PCOS reduce high levels of testosterone and lead to more regular #menstruation

72. Yoga weight-bearing poses builds muscle. Increased muscle mass helps to combat insulin resistance – one of the keys to #PCOS management.

73. Physical Activity, Nourishment and a Healthy Mind are the keys to living a healthier life with any life-altering syndrome, especially #PCOS

74. Because there is no universal definition of #PCOS, the exact number of women worldwide with PCOS is unknown.

75. Incidents of PCOS are increasing it is now estimated 1 I in 5 women have pcos as opposed to old estimates citing 1 in 10 which means 1 million new women will be diagnosed every year!

76. #Hyperandrogenism is one of the markers of #PCOS and is seen in approximately 60% of patients

77. Each individual with #PCOS is in fact unique and what may work for one person may not work for another. Symptoms vary, so must treatments

78. With #PCOS estrogen dominance can mean estrogen is either too high and/or not in balance with progesterone levels.

79. Women with #PCOS often have elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity and insulin increasing risk factors for #heartdisease

80. Chronic high levels of glucose and insulin are classic symptoms of Insulin Resistance found in PCOS

81. Having Insulin Resistance and #PCOS directly cause changes in the blood lipids and overall cardiovascular health.. get screened regularly!

82. Too little good bacteria or too much bad bacteria in the gut can cause systemic inflammation and insulin resistance with #PCOS

83. Diet for PCOS is more than controlling carbohydrates and sugars, it is a lifestyle pattern, to help live healthier lives.

84. Up to 70% of women with PCOS are undiagnosed!

85. There is no cure for #PCOS. It is a condition that is managed, rather than cured.

86. Treatment of the symptoms of #PCOS can help reduce risks of future health problems.

87. Many are unaware of what #PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is, let alone it is one of the biggest contributing causes to #Diabetes today!

88. Many associate #PCOS as #gynecological, as it affects a woman's #menstruation, #ovulation and #fertility but it is #endocine disorder

89. Between 50% and 70% of women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome #PCOS experience Insulin Resistance

90. Women with #PCOS are nearly twice as likely to suffer from #atherosclerosis (plaque deposits in the arteries),

91. Symptoms of #PCOS typically start soon after a woman begins to #menstruate. The type and severity of symptoms varies from person to person.

92 Many women with #PCOS have other concurrent health problems, such as #diabetes, #hypertension, and high cholesterol.

93. Treatment for #PCOS is not curative. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and managing the condition to prevent complications.

94. Many women with #PCOS are intolerant to gluten and dairy, which is why it’s best to eliminate these from your PCOS diet when possible.

95. The birth control pill can help treat acne, regulate the menstrual cycles, and lower levels of male hormones in women not ttc
but does not cure the underlying cause of PCOS.

96. For #PCOS anti-androgens are drugs that reduce male hormone levels. These can help stop excess hair growth and reduce acne.

97. For #PCOS insulin-sensitizers known as diabetes medications may be prescribed to lower blood glucose and testosterone levels.

98. Through hormones, infertility and a host of less than desirable symptoms, many women living with #PCOS feel like their femininity is gone!

99. PCOS plays a major role in the lives of many women with the biggest frustrations being the delay in diagnosis and lack of medical education

100. Many medical professionals still view #PCOS as a #gynecological problem and only address the syndrome when issues of infertility arise.

101. All women and girls who are dealing with menstrual irregularities, weight problems and/or insulin problems should be tested for #PCOS