Hi. My name is Windy Hamilton. I'm the senior editor for the webpage PCOS Experience. Lets start off with a bit of background...PCOS is an acronym for Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. It means that the female with PCOS has a genetic condition that stems from Insulin resistance (which is prevalent their entire life) and testosterone issues (which are there but do not show up until menses begins). I'll try to describe it as best I can...its kinda complex.
With PCOS the ovaries produce eggs each month and in normal females the eggs produce a female version of testosterone (called progesterone) in an attempt to 'outdo' the other eggs...literally best egg wins. That's the one that drops (it's also the time when females get 'cranky'). In a PCOS patient the egg may or may not drop because none survive due to the buildup of testosterone in the body. Mainly none of them ever gets to drop but they sit there and take a very long time to be reabsorbed...still excreting the testosterone. The body grabs the excess testosterone and stores it in the adipose tissues (fat cells) where it is reconfigured into estrogen. The excess estrogen renders the fat cell resistant to release energy.
Females with PCOS experience metabolism much different than the average person. Weight is an issue most of their lives because they can't get rid of the fat cells. Over doing it with exercise is uncomfortable and sometimes painful because the lactic acid builds up but doesn't dissipate quickly. PCOS patients have a thin margin of 'normal' that they can achieve but it takes a lot of work and chemical assistance. They are also prone to reproductive issues such as endometriosis, trouble with pregnancy and cancers.
The PCOS patient makes plenty of insulin but because of the insulin resistance it can sometimes go ignored by the body which can result in some bad side effects. Mood swings, shakes, nausea, muscle cramping, trouble breathing, fatigue and hyper energy.
I personally take an insulin regulator named Metformin and Spironolactone which is actually a heart medicine but is prescribed for PCOS patients for the side effect of testosterone reduction. To regulate the menses I also take a low testosterone/medium estrogen birth control pill. This keeps those eggs in the ovaries from sticking around longer then they need to and helps with the side effects that excessive testosterone brings. I literally had a receding hair line until I went on Spironolactone. You also get excessive hair growth in places not normal for females such as a beard and stomach region. Stress can be detrimental to the PCOS patient because it encourages the fat cells and you know that the fat cells once created aren't going anywhere.
The area where I live is well known in the medical area as a high PCOS count. It can come from the heritage of the Cherokee bloodline. My endocrinologist actually moved to where I live in the South because of that high PCOS count. It is important to treat PCOS as soon as possible because of the health risks it encourages: diabetes, heart issues, hormone imbalances, and cancers of the female reproduction areas. If you have a female child who exhibits excessive hair growth, has started menses but it is very irregular, can’t handle exercise well (this isn’t just muscles but breathing as well), and is a little chubby … I recommend that they be tested immediately by an endocrinologist for PCOS. A lifetime of eating properly and careful chemical balancing can result in an extended lifespan and prevention of the health risks involved with this disorder. It can also increase the chance of the person being able to have children in the future.
Here is some of the regimen I have to do in order to ‘balance’ my body:
1. Per my endocrinologist I have two choices: no exercise- period or daily moderate/easy exercise. It is one or the other, you have to choose. Both options are for life. You can’t just exercise a couple of days a week you have to do it every day in order to reach that small area of balance. You don't have to do the same exercise but you do have to keep moving. Lately I’ve started easy walking 30 mins a day. Exercise is the better choice.
2. Intake of food must be regular and extremely balanced to the same amount every day. My endocrinologist said that the only method he has found that is effective is a modified weight watchers diet. You have to eat the same amount of points each day- with no exceptions. No going over, no under, no free fruits, etc. DO NOT CHEAT. And stay away from fatty foods. I'll be honest. Once I learned how to do it on my own I dropped out of Weight Watchers (to expensive for this old pocket!). I am capable of self regulation. Some people are not. If you feel you aren't one of those, then get in a program where you are monitored... It will help you to keep accountable to someone. Stay away from carbs and processed sugars.
3. Get the same amount of sleep every night at the same time every night. Eat at the same times each day. Structure is training for the body.
4. Each morning and night I take metformin/spironolactone. Each day I take a birth control pill…remember it is for hormone balancing not birth prevention for me. I also take several vitamin supplements. A 'B'complex, Vitamin D and a multi vitamin pill.
5. I keep my stress level as low as possible. On a scale of 1 to 10 I’m at about a 3 to 4. I’ve left jobs with anything higher than a 5.
6. Each day I read (not study) or listen to music for at least an hour. It’s part of the stress relief.
7. I’ve learned not to get angry at anyone. Really, truthfully if they’re having issues it’s up to them to change and there isn’t anything you could do about it but worry and worry is bad for the fat level.
8. I’ve developed arthritis so I’ve taken to doing stretching each day to stay limber... gotta keep that exercise up and limber is key!
I'm not a doctor or anyone in the medical industry. I'm just like you. Someone who discovered she had PCOS and has learned to kick back! You can too!
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