PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, affects 1 in 10 women worldwide, and 15–20% of women in their childbearing years in South Africa. Even more, it can account for up to 35–40% of the female factor causes of infertility, according to the South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
ALSO SEE: Ladies, take your health into your own hands this PCOS Awareness Month
PCOS is caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones (more specifically, androgens), which causes a long list of symptoms that are often misdiagnosed, ignored or go unnoticed.
The main features are cysts that form in the ovaries, high levels of testorone and irregular periods. This causes a lack of ovulation, which means that many women struggle to get pregnant. However, the root cause is partially unknown, and doctors have only been able to attribute the spike of androgen to genes, insulin resistance and inflammation. Because of that, it’s tricky to solve, and can cause women to struggle physically, as well as mentally.
The solution? Small steps in the right direction and, most importantly, listening to your body.
The symptoms of PCOS, explained
The symptoms of PCOS can be so varied that it’s sometimes hard to diagnose, which makes it incredibly hard for women to get the right help.
Not all symptoms are present all at once, and some women might never experience some of the symptoms, yet still have PCOS. Many women give up on finding a solution because of previous experiences with doctors who only dealt with their symptoms, but didn’t mitigate them.
One of the most common symptoms include irregular or missed periods alongside nausea, which is due to a lack of ovulation. It’s a cruel trick when your body that doesn’t really ovulate on its own starts mimicking what would be
the first sign of pregnancy, which is why so many women who actually want to get pregnant feel defeated.
Another symptom, when you do have your period, is excessive and heavy bleeding due to the uterine lining’s build-up. Most women who have PCOS also report hirsutism (excess hair growth) or hair loss, as well as acne, weight gain, headaches and pigmentation on the skin. This physical effect takes a toll on our mental health, which is why depression and anxiety often go hand in hand with PCOS.
Apart from being professionally diagnosed by a trusted source and getting started on a treatment plan that works for your unique needs, the biggest help can be simple lifestyle adjustments, to help you get back to living your fullest life.
The holistic approach
We know that simple lifestyle shifts can have a big impact on your physical and mental health, and the same goes for women with PCOS. More holistic or natural approaches to PCOS can even help to achieve hormonal balance, and will in turn help to manage your symptoms.
Exercise and movement is crucial, but because fatigue and pain play a role in your daily life, it’s best to move in a way that won’t aggravate inflammation yet still help you become stronger. This includes things like yoga, Pilates, walking and gentle resistance training, which you can slowly start, then build up.
Diet is the next important factor that a nutritionist can best help you with. Your diet will have to be adjusted to suit your specific needs, such as more protein and less sugar, more nutrient-rich foods and less alcohol, or even just small adjustments to help regulate your hormones.
Lastly, prioritise your sleep, your self-care routine and your stress management skills. It’s important to remember that all these lifestyle shifts still need to bring you joy, because that’s how you will find a balanced lifestyle that’s sustainable for you.
Help at hand
In the digital age, there are loads of resources that become decidedly difficult to navigate.
Here are a few of our favourite Instagram gurus who are knowledgable and informative: @wealthofnutrition @thewomensdietitian, @the.pcos.nutritionist.
Written by Leandri De Kock.
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A guide on how to reverse the symptoms of PCOS, from a fellow cyster
Feature Image: Pexels
