PCOS is a disorder that affects around 10% of reproductive women. It affects not only your health but your fertility as well. If left untreated, women with PCOS are more likely to develop chronic illnesses such as Type 2 DM, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and other metabolic syndromes.
The Truth About PCOS
PCOS is a complicated syndrome. It is both a hormonal and metabolic condition. Meaning it affects not only your female hormones but your entire body.
There isn’t one PCOS test that can diagnose PCOS
Making the diagnosis can be challenging. It’s common for women to wait years to get a PCOS diagnosis! Generally, a doctor diagnoses PCOS by observing symptoms, doing a pelvic examination, testing androgen hormone levels, and performing a pelvic ultrasound. The criteria for diagnosis include (2 of the 3):
- Irregular menstrual cycles (absence of a period for months on end, skipped periods, or lack of ovulation).
- Higher than normal blood levels of androgen hormones or signs of high androgen hormones such as acne and increased body or facial hair (hirsutism).
- One or more ovaries that have a “polycystic” appearance (many follicles) on ultrasound.
It is one of the most misunderstood conditions, and no one really knows the true cause of PCOS. There are a lot of myths and misinformation online about the condition as well as the treatment options. That is why I am shedding light on 7 of the common myths about PCOS.
Schedule an appointment if you are tired of those pesky PCOS symptoms.
YOU CAN’T GET PREGNANT WITH PCOS
No one should tell you that you can’t get pregnant just because you have PCOS. This is a dangerous myth because it makes women feel bad about themselves and sometimes leads women to stop contraception even if they do not desire pregnancy.
To get pregnant, you need to ovulate. Anovulation or not ovulation is a hallmark of PCOS. But it does not mean you are infertile! Infertility is when you struggle to get pregnant for over 12 months if you’re under the age of 35, or over six months if you’re over the age of 35. Infertility is not Sterility. Sterility is the inability to get pregnant. Women with PCOS can get pregnant if they can ovulate. Some women with PCOS ovulate but not consistently so they can get pregnant even with irregular cycles. So if you do not want to conceive, you need to be on contraception if you have PCOS.
Looking inside the ROOT CAUSE of your PCOS can optimize the body for ovulation. There are a number of options, including diet, lifestyle modifications, supplements, and even fertility assistance with medications. If you have any concerns, please see a healthcare provider or fertility specialist to get evaluated.
YOU CAN’T EAT DAIRY OR GLUTEN
No study has concluded that dairy or gluten can positively reverse PCOS. There are studies that suggest dairy and gluten can cause inflammation in the body. My approach to diet with PCOS is not a one-size-fits-all approach. If dairy and gluten cause inflammation for you, then you should consider eliminating them. You can eliminate either thing for 3 weeks and see how you feel. If symptoms improve then, you know that those food items stimulate inflammation for you.
An anti-inflammatory diet and gut health are the most critical components of your nutrition roadmap. There are a lot of different examples of an anti-inflammatory diet. Paleo is an anti-inflammatory diet. Anti-inflammatory diets are about trying to get down to the basic whole foods or whole grains. Your plate should be predominantly vegetables with lean proteins and fats, which are healthy fats.
I recommend higher protein, so like 45%, protein, 30%, fats, 30%, carbohydrates, you really want a more protein-dense food, diet, then fats or carbohydrates. For more help with building a balanced plate and a 5-Day Meal Plan, click here for my Ditch The Diet Guide.
THE BIRTH CONTROL PILL IS YOUR ONLY CHOICE
You can’t get rid of or cure PCOS with the birth control pill. The birth control pill establishes a cyclic hormone schedule and “artificial period” or withdrawal bleeding but you do not ovulate. The artificial hormones create a “perfect cycle,” but it does not treat PCOS. It allows you to have a monthly cycle and can reverse some symptoms of PCOS but can also make some worse, such as low libido, acne, anxiety, and weight gain.
If you want to get off of artificial hormones and treat your PCOS by addressing the ROOT CAUSE, then you have other options such as diet, lifestyle modifications, and supplements. The CHOICE IS YOURS!
YOU JUST NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT
This is the biggest myth I see. Healing from PCOS is not about weight loss. Weight loss is a benefit once you do heal your body. But it is not a required step to reverse your PCOS symptoms. Yes, it is true that most women with PCOS are overweight or obese, but just simply losing weight will not reverse your PCOS.
One of the Root Causes of PCOS is insulin resistance. If you have insulin resistance, it is easier to gain weight which leads to more insulin resistance and, therefore more weight gain. But the focus should be on improving insulin sensitivity, not losing weight. Balancing your blood sugar will improve your insulin sensitivity, and you will see weight loss as a side effect of getting healthier.
YOU NEED TO EAT LOW CARB
This myth ties into the need for a weight loss myth. It is about insulin resistance and inflammation. I suggest an anti-inflammatory diet. There are a lot of different examples of an anti-inflammatory diet.
Women with PCOS need to build a balanced plate. In general, I recommend higher protein, so like 45%, protein, 30%, fats, 30%, carbohydrates, you really want a more protein-dense diet than fats or carbohydrates. I’m not a big fan of keto diets. In my experience, keto is difficult because it causes stress to the body. Because you have to eat so restrictive and 20 grams of carbs or less is really hard for most people to maintain. And women with PCOS have issues with cravings and binge eating. And so basically restricting creates bad habits leading to weight gain.
Honestly, the best plan is to find out what amount of carbs work for you and when they are best FOR YOU to eat. For me, I focus on 80 to 100 grams of carbs, eaten mostly in the am because that works the best for me.
Most importantly, be your advocate. Get informed and ask your doctor for the answers you NEED. You deserve the truth.
