In May 2011 I found out I have a mild case of PCOS – polycystic ovary syndrome. There’s a lot of information out there, and if you think you or someone you know may have PCOS, I encourage you to do your research and find a doctor you trust. The only advice I have is to know your body, believe in yourself, and to never give up. I spent nearly two years having doctors tell me the most insane advice and not listening to what I said. I would give up for months at a time, just because I was tired of not getting answers, and would start to question myself and how well I really did know my body. Eventually, I asked for one last referral to another office in my town, and I struck gold. I found a doctor who listened to me, helped me figure out what was going on, and an office that has a dietitian on their team, who herself also has PCOS and knows exactly what works and doesn’t work.
Right now my primary goal in regards to PCOS is to get my hormones and my metabolism sorted out again. I gained a lot of weight through PCOS and I’m now working hard at using the resources at my disposal to get that weight off. My husband and I do want to have children, but not right now, so I can’t speak to the infertility aspect of PCOS. My doctors have been very encouraging thus far that hopefully when we do want to start trying to have kids, a lot of my hormonal issues will have already been worked out, so hopefully we will have less problems.
As far as my lifestyle with PCOS, it can be summed up with medication, six mini meals throughout the day, and following a low glycemic index diet. For more information, you can read my first post announcing my lifestyle changes: PCOS & a New Lifestyle.
Here’s an informational pamphlet around PCOS that I found through Jen at This Runners Trials, who also has PCOS and is currently struggling with infertility. Another good resource is the information provided from Mayo Clinic.
Just a reminder that I am not a doctor, a Registered Dietitian, or anyone important. I’m someone who just wants company and to share what information I find through my own journey with PCOS. Anything seen her is just my personal expressions, and if you think you or a loved one may have PCOS, please see a doctor.
Thank you so much for addressing pcos! I diagnosed in December of 2009. It is comforting to find a ‘healthy living bloger’ that speaks about it. Honestly, I haven’t addressed it in my own blog just yet, but plan to in the near future.
I just found your site and love it! I, too, have PCOS so I love to read about other bloggers that share their experiences with it. I haven’t made any major diet changes because I already ate pretty healthy and I honestly don’t know to what degree I am insulin resistant–I do gain weight easily but I can usually lose it without going through drastic measures. I’m never going to be really skinny, but I’m not overweight either. My doctor told me to eat low carb and that just doesn’t work for me due to my food preferences–I don’t like to eat a ton of meat. Anyway, long story short, have you noticed a major difference with a low GI diet? I have thought about following it, but there are a lot of foods I would sure miss!
Hey Holly! Thanks for checking out the site! I knew I wanted to make these diet changes, because, like you, I already ate healthy (and ate on the higher-carb side— I used to be a vegan a year or so ago!), but for me, I had a really hard time losing the weight I gained. Even to the point that, while I increased muscle, my weight # on the scale stayed the same all throughout training for a half marathon. I have noticed a difference. It’s been gradual, but so far over 3 months I’ve lost about 20 lbs. It can be frustrating at times, but the thing that is more frustrating for me is not the lack of options (I actually feel there are plenty of low GI options, esp. if you already eat healthy!) but it’s the low calorie diet that is also tying in to it.
Hope that helps! Feel free to email me at any time.
[...] PCOS [...]
I love that you have a page dedicated to PCOS. I also have it and am struggling with infertility. It has been very difficult, but it helps knowing that others are going through the same thing, and we can talk about it together.
Thanks for all the info. I actually got diagnosed May of this year as well. I was put on Yaz as a treatment which gave me fibromyalgia like symptoms
Now I am on a different plan and I am so glad I found your site since a low gi diet is just what the doctor ordered. Thanks!