Coping Up With PCOD
Coping with PCOS is challenging, and can be complicated as well. Between the everyday side effects and trouble in conceiving, it’s easy for ladies with PCOS to feel alone. Since hormonal changes are the sign of this condition, a wide range of medical problems can emerge.
You may have undesirable hair development, or you may start losing your hair. PCOS has been connected to various unexpected issues, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular sickness, and endometrial cancer.
In this blog we will learn about:
- Science behind PCOD
- Causes and symptoms of PCOD
- PCOD and Lifestyle changes.
SCIENCE BEHIND PCOD
PCOD is a condition which affects women’s hormones level. Women dealing with PCOD produce higher than normal amounts of male hormones(androgens). These male hormones lead to irregular or skipped menstrual cycles and difficulty in conceiving a baby. PCOD or PCOS is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It’s a condition that affects the ovaries, and estrogen & progesterone building organs. In PCOS, multiple, fluid-filled sacs grow inside the ovaries; these sacs are underdeveloped eggs which never reach to ovulation. The lack of ovulation alters the hormone levels. ( Pic courtesy by google)
The 3 main factors of PCOD are:
- Irregular or skipped periods
- Irregular hormones
- Cysts in ovaries
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF PCOD:
There are many reasons for developing PCOD. The main causes are an unhealthy lifestyle, high level of stress, consumption of high GI foods, too much processed and junk food and genes. All these conditions increase the level of male hormones in women.
Some women start seeing symptoms around the time of their first period. Others only discover they have PCOS after they’ve gained a lot of weight or they’ve had trouble getting pregnant.
The most common PCOS symptoms are:
Rapid weight gain
Irregular periods
Acne and oily skin
Facial hair growth
Baldness
Heavy and painful periods
Migraine and headaches
Dark patches on the skin
Depression
Mood swings
Difficulty in losing weight
PCOD AND LIFESTYLE
The one and the only way to reverse PCOD is maintaining and following a healthy lifestyle which includes exercising and eating right. One can regulate their menstrual cycle just by losing 5-10% of their body weight. Working out at least 150 minutes per week reduce the chances of PCOD. It is generally found in women who have a high insulin level. A diet rich in refined carbohydrates such as starchy and sugary foods leads to a high level of insulin since the more sugar you eat, the more insulin will be secreted.
FOODS TO INCLUDE IN DIET
HIGH FIBER FOOD: Cruciferous vegetables, greens, berries, beans, almonds, sweet potato, squash, pumpkin, etc
LEAN PROTEIN: Tofu, chicken, and fish
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOOD: tomatoes, kale, spinach, olive oil, flax seeds, turmeric, omega-3 fatty acid, etc.
FOOD TO AVOID
REFINED CARBOHYDRATES: White bread, pastries, muffins, white flour, sugary items, pasta, noodles made of durum wheat, etc
SUGAR: sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose
INFLAMMATORY FOOD: red meat, processed meat, fries, white potato, etc
The symptoms associated with PCOS can cause stress and depression which again lead to the secretion of the hormone Cortisol which leads to weight gain. Stress techniques, which help calm the mind and let you connect with your body, can help. These include yoga and meditation.
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The bottom line is if you’re coping with PCOS or any of its symptoms, you may feel frustrated at times. Taking proactive steps regarding your health can improve your mood as well as reduce your symptoms.
We, at ParaFit, have helped more than 500 women suffering from PCOD, bringing a change in their lifestyle, a way of thinking and helping them lose weight while rectifying their test results. Our therapeutic diet plans focus on the minutest details that need to be taken care off and give you the optimum results in the fastest time.
DO NOT neglect or compromise on your health.
Let’s fight PCOD, TOGETHER.
