How Common is PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian (Ovary) Syndrome affects approximately 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age and it is a leading cause of infertility. It is the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive age women. As many as 30 percent of women have some characteristics of the syndrome.

Lisa

technorati tags:pcos, polycystic+ovaries, polycystic+ovarian+syndrome, polycystic+ovary+syndrome

PCOS and GI

"A low-GI diet could be particularly helpful to women with PCOS because the root of the problem is extreme insulin resistance. High insulin levels produce the high androgen levels that disturb fertility, cause acne and facial hair and inhibit weight loss. We know that a low-GI diet will acutely lower postprandial [after-meal] insulin levels in comparison with a conventional low-fat diet. By lowering insulin levels, a low-GI diet allows us to burn more fat and less carbohydrate per unit of work done. Everything I've said can be backed by several studies. But we are still in the process of proving that a low-GI diet will improve insulin sensitivity and facilitate weight loss specifically in women with PCOS.''

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-07-06/goods_health.php


The GI diet has been highly publicized over the past few years and there is some evidence to suggest it is a good regime (I hate the word diet - too many negative connotations) to follow if you have PCOS.

It can also be incredibly confusing.

If you are looking into it, consider trying the GL (Glycaemic Load) program instead which tries to simplify GI and takes into account average portion sizes as well.

To your good health,

Lisa

technorati tags:pcos, polycystic+ovaries, polycystic+ovarian+syndrome, gi+diet, weight+loss, glycaemic+load, losing+weight

Losing Weight with PCOS

I just read this on a medical website:

"If you have PCOS you might need to lose weight"

I think they meant that not everybody with PCOS is overweight, but when I read it I just laughed and thought "no kidding"! A lot of us with PCOS are overweight but losing it isn't always easy, in fact it's an ongoing battle. Yes, symptoms improve with weight-loss but one of the symptoms is that it is harder to lose weight - a catch-22!

Be well,

Lisa x

technorati tags:pcos, polycystic+ovaries, polycystic+ovarian+syndrome, weight+loss, losing+weight

PCOS and Hypothyroidism

There is even a strong connection between hypothyroid and polycystic ovary syndrome. “In lab research, when you want to create a polycystic ovary, you create hypothyroidism in the animal,” says Rais.

Career, kids, now thyroid : HindustanTimes.com

This is new to me and very worrying. I wonder how many women with PCOS have been tested for thyroid problems - I'm sure I haven't.

Lisa

technorati tags:pcos, polycystic+ovarian+syndrome, hyprothyroidism, polycystic+ovary+syndrome

PCOS Awareness

Realizing real change has to come from more awareness, exposure and education for PCOS(Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a petition drafted by a PCOS Awareness Advocate is now online. For many PCOS Awareness plays a key role in helping them learn to live and deal with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and ultimately live a healthier life. Many feel 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 and to ensure they are educated on how to live a healthier life with this syndrome.

Online Petition Hopes to Make PCOS a Known Acronym

Take a look at this press release about making people more aware of PCOS. 10% of women suffer from it and yet many people still don't know it exists. There is a petition  you can sign online as well.

Lisa

technorati tags:pcos, polycystic+ovarian+syndrome, awareness, polycystic+ovary+syndrome, petition

PCOS Matters

Welcome to PCOS Matters, a blog dedicated to PCOS, otherwise known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

I look forward to sharing with you the latest news and updates on PCOS as well as my own journey with the syndrome.

To your health,

Lisa x