Fertility PCOS Diet

Managing PCOS through Diet

By Sophie Brink

Published on May 22, 2008

One of the leading causes of female infertility in the United States, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – also known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome and polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) – affects between 6 and 10 percent of the female population, according to the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association. In addition to causing infertility, PCOS can lead to the development of other diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS; however, women with PCOS can often control it through medication. Researchers have also found that diet and exercise can help to manage the symptoms of PCOS.

What Is PCOS?

A complex medical problem the exact cause of which is unknown, PCOS is often referred to as an endocrine disorder. This means that it is related to a hormone imbalance. Among other roles, hormones are responsible for the proper functioning of the female sex organs. The ovaries contain numerous follicles, each of which contains an immature egg. Each month, one of these eggs develops and is released. The development of the egg and its release are carefully coordinated by a number of hormones. When hormone balance is disrupted, the follicles mature but never release their eggs. This leads to infertility and sometimes enlarged, painful ovaries.

Other symptoms of PCOS include:

  • Acne
  • Alopecia
  • Elevated insulin levels or diabetes
  • Excess facial and body hair
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased levels of male hormones (androgens)
  • Infrequent or absent periods
  • Irregular bleeding (spotting)
  • Weight gain (primarily concentrated in the midsection)

What is the PCOS Diet?

Actually, there are numerous diet plans designed to help control PCOS. However, Nancy Dunn, N.D., maintains that every woman with PCOS is different; therefore, while one woman will benefit from one type of diet, others may not. Nevertheless, Dr. Dunn believes that diet can significantly influence the progress of PCOS and its symptoms. She wrote The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility: How to Manage Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Naturally in order to provide a set of guidelines to women with PCOS who are confused about what to eat – and what not to eat – after her daughter was diagnosed with the condition.

On Dr. Dunn's hit list are refined, processed foods. Often found in brightly colored packages with beguiling names, these so-called foods are lacking in nutrition and filled with chemicals. Foods containing refined sugar, corn syrup, and other simple carbohydrates can cause blood sugar fluctuations, which can lead to hormonal imbalances. Insulin resistance, for example, has been connected to the increased production of androgens, which can prevent ovulation. Some PCOS diets allow complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, beans, and lentils, while others recommend that these foods be avoided entirely.

Many PCOS diets do share certain major points, however. In general, women with PCOS are advised to:

Reduce their intake of refined carbohydrates. By removing those foods with a high glycemic index (GI) from their diet, women may help regulate their blood sugar levels. Dr. Dunn, who advocates initially removing all grains from one's diet, suggests substituting bread with lettuce leaves, pickled grape leaves, or sheets of Nori seaweed. On the other hand, Drs. Jennie Brand-Miller and Nadir R. Farid and Registered Dietician Kate Marsh, authors of The New Glucose Revolution Guide to Living Well with PCOS, allow the consumption of grains such as oats and other whole grains, long grain rice, and wild rice. Increasing one's consumption of vegetables, however, seems to be embraced by the majority of PCOS diet plans.

Eat foods that are low in saturated fat. A diet high in saturated fat has been connected to insulin resistance and obesity. Unsaturated oils, including flaxseed oil, olive oil, and nut oils such as macadamia and walnut, are offered as healthier options by the authors of The New Glucose Revolution Guide to Living Well with PCOS. Lean meats, a good source of protein and other nutrients, can be also incorporated into a healthy PCOS diet.

Drink more water. If the mantra "drink more water" has constantly been repeated over the last few years, it's for a good reason. Dehydration, says Dr. Dunn, can upset the delicate hormone balance. Water facilitates the elimination of excess hormones from the body.

While it is important to know your options – and that diet and exercise can be powerful allies against PCOS – if you have one or more PCOS symptoms, please consult your primary care physician.

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Keyword Tags: female infertility, getting pregnant

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Comments

1

PCOS is so hard to manage but it can be done.

Rory
about 1 year ago

2

The fundamental problem with PCOS is anovulation and not making progesterone for two weeks every cycle.

This lack of progesterone leads to hormonal imbalance in the ovary, causes the ovary to produce testosterone and leads to the irregular menstrual cycles and infertility. This is aggravated by obesity and insulin resistance.

Progesterone is missing, therefore replacing it makes sense.

To read more, click here:

Understanding PCOS the Hidden Epidemic

jeffrey dach md
about 1 year ago

3

PCOS is so hard to handle. I almost change everything in my diet. I took progreserone and now i am on medicine metformine. It is difficult but not impossible. I still have hope for my pregnancy. I need baby dust from all over the world.

rose
9 months ago

4

Hello I am 40 years old...I have had PCOS since i was 23!! I"ve been trying to concieve for 12 years already. I've been a failure to all treatments and to 3 regular IVF's and to 2 donor IVF's..I am about 15 lbs overweight and have been trying really hard to loose them, but because of my condition I've learned and now know that it is extremely difficult to loose weight. I would like some good diet recommendations to better help me loose the weight desired.

I've heard many good results from the Adkins Diet and would like to know if this Diet is good for my health condition and if it would work well for me???

olga ramonra
8 months ago

5

I am 20 years old and told i have pcos, :( i m very upset that i may not be able to concieve, i have een with my bf for 4 years now and we want a baby, im afraid we will try for years and years and get no where, help me :(

roxy
7 months ago

6

I am 24 years old and my husband is 26, we have been ttc for 6 years. i have pcos and his sperm is superb. The thing is that the only symptoms i have of pcos are facial hair. 8st and find it difficult to gain weight and make it stay. Could i have pcos because i am a smoker?

May
6 months ago

7

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16. Since then, I've been taking Metformin and birth control pills to help control the symptoms. I also took Spironolactone for several years, and it did help me to lose a lot of weight. In my experience,though, diet is the most important factor in helping reduce the severity of PCOS symptoms.

Alicia
5 months ago

8

Hi, I'm 26 and have suffered with extreme pain with my periods since 15. I haven't found anyone who has helped me until recently a Dr. diagnosed me with PCOS, I have all the symptoms. I have had 1 daughter at 21 and two miscarriages since, 1 of which was twins. My husband and I have been trying for 2 1/2 yrs, with no success. My dr. reccommended clomid but I was wondering should I take metaformin with it first cycle? Also, I have sever pain has anyone found anything that helps with that? I've tried over the counter aids, heating pads, etc..nothing seems to help and it completly disrupts my life to the point I can't get out of bed or off the couch. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions...thanks.

April
5 months ago

9

I AM 31 YEARS OLD. AND I HAVE PCOS AND I FEEL SO SAD AND DEPRESS, BECAUSE I CAN NOT CONCEVE I HAVE BEEN WITH MY BF FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS AND WE REALLY WANT A BABY. PLEASE HELP US.

BERO
5 months ago

10

When I was 35, I was diagnosed with PCOS. I was trying to get pregnant, but it didn't happen. I also gained a ton of weight. I was not ovulating, even though I've had regular periods. We've tried fertility treatments that did not work. I have been put on Metformin on and off since age 36.... but more steadily by age 38, as I felt it helped me NOT gain so much weight. I gave up on trying to get pregnant, and decided we should pursue adoption (which was taking forever). Anyway, I became pregnant at 39 years of age, lost the baby at 9 weeks pregnant, but became pregnant again 2 weeks after my miscarriage (at age 40). I delivered a healthy baby boy!! I never thought I'd be able to get pregnant, but I did and I'm so thankful. Part of it, I believe is that I was VERY overweight once I had the PCOS set it - I gained about 60 pounds in 1 year... after years of being unsuccessful at weight loss and working with my primary doctor, I found my key. I had to work out 2 full hours a day (3 work outs) and eat a healthy low carb diet. I took the weight off quite easily - it can be done. I am currently in the same boat of having to take the weight off again from the pregnancy, but I know the key to my success. I can't stand this PCOS because it's pretty difficult to manage and stay focused. I surely hope that my story gives hope to others out there!!

josie
5 months ago

11

Hi, i was diagnosed yesterday with PCOS but i new for a while this was coming as i suffer from a quite a few of the symptoms. Im 22yrs old and extremely worried i wont be able to conceive later in life and the syptoms will get worse, i try to keep my diet pretty strict but cant do much exercise as i have extreme pain in certain muscles i think is from PCOS, the specialist has put me on the contraceptive pill (yasmin) is this enough to help me control the PCOS????? i would really appreciate some advice PLEASE!! =(

fEBRUARY 13TH
4 months ago

12

I was diagnosed with PCOS this past Friday. I also am newlywed and we want kids! I am scared that I won't be able to give my husband the gift of being a father. All I want to do is break down and wonder why all of this is happening to me but I know that I cant let it get me down. Any and all information someone can let me know about diet I am ready to hear. HELP!

Lindsay
4 months ago

13

i have pcos .i was just wonderind if there is any tips you can give about conceiving. im 18 and i wanta baby. i have type 2 diabetes .do that got any thingto do with me not getting pregnant. i smoke cigarettes and im overweight.me and my boyfriend are about to get a place together and i wnat to starta family. he has two kids already so i know he is fertile. what can i do for me to have a chance at pregnancy.

asha
3 months ago

14

I have known about my PCOS since I was 15. I am now 23 and facing the brutal truth that there is a high chance of me not being able to conceive. It's really heart-wrenching seeing as I'm getting married in October and my fiance' and I really want children. I've got all the symptoms...obesity, hair growth, no periods without the help of medication, high blood pressure. Tons of fun. Insurance,even through my job, is difficult for me to get because of my PCOS being a "pre-existing condition". I've started dieting and I'm hoping that, combined with my meds, will help my symptoms. Has anyone here done In-Vitro Maturation? I'm thinking that may be a good option for me... perhaps. Hopefully.

Amy
3 months ago

15

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PCOS AT AGE 26. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN TRING TO CONVEIVE FOR 7 YEARS NOW. WE HAVE RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT HE HAS A LOW SPERM COUNT. HE IS CURRENTLY TAKING CLOMID TO INCREASE HIS SPERM COUNT. I HAVE REGULAR PERIODS AND ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF OVULATION, BUT STILL WONDER IF I AM OVULATING OR NOT. I JUST ANOTHER THING THAT I AM WONDERING IS IF I NEED TO BE ON CLOMID AGAIN ALSO. I AM A LITTLE OVERWEIGHT AROUND THE MID SECTION. IT HAS BEEN HARD TO LOOSE WEIGHT. I NEED A DIET PLAN THAT CAN HELP ME LOOSE WEIGHT ABD POSSIBLE CONVEIVE. CAN ANY ONE HELP? I AM GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE I AM GETTING DEPRESSED? CAN ANYONE HELP?

KRISTY
2 months ago

16

Lisa

Hi I have PCOS too, and I am a newely wed also. Before getting married me and my husband where together 5 years and have had no luck. We ordered medication from London and my husband gave me injections and didn't work, so I went back to the doctor and they checked all my blood levels and thyroid and everything came back normal, THANK GOD!!!!!!! Today I talked to my doctor and now I have to be put on a diet and excersize plan for PCOS. GIRLS ALL I CAN SAY IS KEEP YOUR FAITH IN GOD AND REMEMBER GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ALL OF US, GOD BLESS YOU ALL. AND I WILL BE PRAYING FOR US ALL.

Lisa
about 1 month ago

17

HI
I also have PCOS I'm 37 and found out when I was 28. I just wanted to let you all know I have two wonderful daughters age 6 and 8. Do not give up hope. With God and a good Doctor all things are possible.

Michelle
about 1 month ago

18

I have pcos and autoimmune thyroid disease try a vitiman supplement with wuid chastaberry it will make a diffrence if it in accompanied by a low carb diet. It takes about three months Ihave three kids and had my tubes reversed to have the third. SO have hope and stick to your guns when it comes to you diet plan. I have all clasical symptoms hairloss, weight gain. hair in all unwanted areas, so have faith in you self and stay strong.

heather
about 1 month ago

19

HI, I have PCOS. Im pretty sure i have had it since puberty. Basically the pill regulated things until I went off to get prego. I had my daughter at age 22. Went on Depo and that is when all my symptoms appeared... We tried for 7 yrs to have another baby when she turned 2. Til i read something about taking Clomid with glucophage(metformin). It worked for me got prego right away. Im now 35 with a beautiful 3 yr old boy and 12 yr old girl. My problem now, is the weight. If someone has a proven weight and exercise plan that works please pass it on to me! I 30 lbs last year from january to april, watching my cals and hip hop dancin (i have alot of belly fat) but once i hit that plataeu, i gained it all back... i need something realistic where cheating once in awhile is allowed. Something I can easily do the rest of my life. So if you have the miracle diet and exercise plan please do tell!!

JFer
12 days ago

20

I have been diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago when I was 21, I take Prometrium Monthly and Metformin daily and Have begun the Atkins diet and have found fantastic results. I amd 50 pounds overweight and have already loss 16 pounds in a very short time. I would recommend it to anyone who has PCOS because they only diets I have seen work for me were Atkins and Weight Watchers where I loss 32 punds in 3 months but eventually came to a stand still and switched to atkins and taken of 16 more. Best of Luck to all!

Jacquelyn
8 days ago

21

hi me and my husband have been ttc for 5 years i try and try to lose wieght but it never seems to stay off what can i do

Natasha
4 days ago

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