PCOS....

Sweettart

I have NO idea! :laugh:

There are a lot of great dr's out there but the bad ones seem to ruin it for the good ones I think!

inspiration78

I have PCOS as well and though it is very easy for me to lose weight it is also very easy for me to gain insane amounts of weight very quickly. One of the big issues with weight gain and PCOS tends to be abdominal fat. Though I'm losing weight like crazy it's coming off my midsection much more slowly. It sucks and it's one of those things that varies greatly from woman to woman, but all of us dealing with it knows how very frustrating it can be. Keep doing what you're doing. It might take a little extra time and devotion but you can get the results you're hoping for if you stick with it. Good luck!!! :flowerforyou:

I'm having the same problem with losing weight more quickly in my butt and legs and not so much in my midsection. It sucks but I figure at least I am losing, ya know?

jesielin23

I have PCOS and had Gastric Bypass almost 3 years ago. The past year I slowly put on 20 lbs, simply because I don't get really sick from sugar anymore (well, I do, but not dumping syndrome anymore)...this 20 lbs put my PCOS in a tailspin and I gained another 15 in 6 wks even though I was more active than before. I know for my own body, I just have to give up refined sugars completely in order to lose and not get migraines and to get my hormones to even out. After losing a ton of weight after my surgery, all my PCOS symptoms went away because I was not eating any sugar at all (just natural sugars from fresh fruit). Hope this helps

KimmyBee

Im really trying to cut down on sugars especially at the moment.

not doing amazingy well. but getting gradually better.

Damn fruit and its tempting sweetness.

thepurplestar

I have PCOS, and the ONLY thing that has worked over the years is going low-carb. When I reach a goal weight, I switch to low-GI to maintain.

It's so hard doing proper low-carb though, especially when you work full-time, have a toddler, and many sleepless nights to contend with :yawn:

rosesoflove1025

I too have pcos....there are some days weeks that it is a struggle to lose weight and others I see results. I did fin though that sticking with the GI diet has helped me to stay consistent in losing and feeling better in the inside.

July24Lioness

I have PCOS, and the ONLY thing that has worked over the years is going low-carb. When I reach a goal weight, I switch to low-GI to maintain.

It's so hard doing proper low-carb though, especially when you work full-time, have a toddler, and many sleepless nights to contend with :yawn:

That is true because it requires more prep work and cooking. I am enjoying new recipes and such though and I have started prepping stuff for the week so it is easier on me monday - friday.

Today I am cutting up veggies (lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, tomatos, red onion, cabbage, celery, bell peppers) and put them in containers so all I have to do in the morning is grab and go. I make home made salad dressings too and put the in little rubber maid containers.

I also cook chicken breasts and cut into strips, store in baggies, again, grab and go.........

Strawberries are cleaned, sliced and portioned out into 1 cup containers.

Then each day all I have to worry about is cooking supper when I get home from work.

I also make home cooked dog food for my fur babies, so Sunday is usually prep and cook day for me.

July24Lioness

Im really trying to cut down on sugars especially at the moment.

not doing amazingy well. but getting gradually better.

Damn fruit and its tempting sweetness.

I was told by my endocrinologist that those of us with PCOS should not have more than 3 servings of fruit a week and the serving should be the size of a kiwi. That is to lower triglycerides in the blood.

MFPfriend

I also have PCOS, and it is harder to lose weight.
Someone mentioned cutting out sugars. Let me tell you, that's a great idea. My doctor told me to stop eating High Fructose Corn Syrup all together. I did, and I feel a lot better and it's somewhat easier to lose the weight.

KimmyBee

Thats much easier here in the UK as corn syrup is illegal :P

my main problems are fruits.. yes I know theyre healthy sugars but theyre sugars nontheless =C

KimmyBee

I was told by my endocrinologist that those of us with PCOS should not have more than 3 servings of fruit a week and the serving should be the size of a kiwi. That is to lower triglycerides in the blood.

wow.. thanks.

though i dont know how healthy it can be o limit your fruits to such a small amount

Sweettart

Only 3 friuits a week? Or did you mean a day?

July24Lioness

Only 3 friuits a week? Or did you mean a day?

No, you read it correctly, per week. I eat a LOT of veggies and a minimal amount of fruit to keep my carbs low to lose weight at a decent pace and to control my triglycerides.

Sugar (whether it is natural or processed) makes the triglycerides raise in the blood, which is NOT good when you consume too much. So, I thought I was eating "healthy" and eating 3-4 servings of fruit a day and my triglycerides were through the roof.

July24Lioness

For your reading pleasure................

Blood fats - triglycerides, cholesterol, etc. - to a great extent are intimately related to what you eat; therefore, your diet has a strong impact on the levels of triglycerides in the blood, so your food choices should be given serious consideration.

When it comes to high blood triglycerides, carbohydrates have a predominant impact on your triglyceride level.

"Since triglycerides are circulating forms of fat in the blood, you might think that a high-fat diet will raise triglycerides and a low-fat diet would lower triglycerides.

However, carbohydrate appears to be the most important dietary predictor of triglycerides.

Diets high in carbohydrates, especially sugar, lead to increases in triglycerides." (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

As foods are within your control, a significant drop in your blood triglycerides level should occur in four to six weeks - if you follow a strict sugar-free, alcohol-free eating plan.

To a great degree, triglyceride production is stimulated by alcohol and sugar. Therefore, your first step in healthy eating means you need to eliminate or limit alcohol and sugar.

Banishing the sugar bowl from the table is an obvious step. However, there are many other sources where sugar is a primary ingredient, including:

concentrated sweets: table sugar (sucrose), cane sugar, brown sugar, Turbinado sugar, Demerara sugar, powdered sugar, honey, syrups (especially high fructose corn syrup as a substitute sweetener for sucrose-table sugar added to fruit juices, sodas, and other beverages), preserves, molasses, jams, jellies, and candies

desserts-baked goods: pies, cakes, cookies, crackers, frosting, pastries, doughnuts, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and regular or sweetened gelatin

beverages: fruit juices, fruit drinks, fruit punches, regular sodas, carbonated pop, colas, aid drinks, smoothies, sports drinks, sweetened coffee drinks, mocha, and chocolate drinks

high-sweet and sweet fruits (fresh or dried): grape (red and green), raisin, plum, fig, date, pineapple, apricot, melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon), banana, orange

other foods: sweetened cereals, flavored yogurts, and sports or energy bars.

mlejoy3

I too was just diagnosed with PCOS. I found out because I lost a pregnancy I have been able to loose weight and am at a 72 lbs weight loss right now. I have heard that glucophage (sp?) can help with PCOS and help you loose the weight. That may be something to talk to your doc about. Has anyone with the PCOS had difficulty/success with pregnancy? I have two children, but have been unable to get pregnant/keep a pregnancy with a third and am beginning to loose hope. I am thourougly enjoying my weight loss, but my heart desires another baby in my arms.

July24Lioness

I too was just diagnosed with PCOS. I found out because I lost a pregnancy I have been able to loose weight and am at a 72 lbs weight loss right now. I have heard that glucophage (sp?) can help with PCOS and help you loose the weight. That may be something to talk to your doc about. Has anyone with the PCOS had difficulty/success with pregnancy? I have two children, but have been unable to get pregnant/keep a pregnancy with a third and am beginning to loose hope. I am thourougly enjoying my weight loss, but my heart desires another baby in my arms.

Yes, I have been declared infertile by my doctor after 5 miscarriages. Glucophage (metformin) only helps with keeping the blood sugar in order to aid in weight loss.

XFitMojoMom

Thanks for the info Lioness - I have elevated tri's, but still within "normal" range - I don't eat pasta/rice baked items or a lot of fruit, but I do love my wine. Now I know the source!:sad:

Just one *glimmer of hope* I have a very close friend with PCOS - she too was declared infertile after numerous miscarriages. She has two "miracles" today.:flowerforyou:

Sweettart

Yes thanks for the info!

For right now Im going to keep up with my working out and watching what I eat. I get my results back June 3 so we will see how everything goes.

jesielin23

I too was just diagnosed with PCOS. I found out because I lost a pregnancy I have been able to loose weight and am at a 72 lbs weight loss right now. I have heard that glucophage (sp?) can help with PCOS and help you loose the weight. That may be something to talk to your doc about. Has anyone with the PCOS had difficulty/success with pregnancy? I have two children, but have been unable to get pregnant/keep a pregnancy with a third and am beginning to loose hope. I am thourougly enjoying my weight loss, but my heart desires another baby in my arms.

I got diagnosed with PCOS 10 years ago after my first child. I was able to have 2 more. I went to a doctor who put me on Clomid to make sure I ovulated. As I understand it, though, PCOS is the leading cause in not getting pregnant but not necessarily in not completing pregnancies...Maybe I was misinformed. The other thing that helped me get pregnant with my third is that I had lost so much weight that it really helped even out my sytem. The only way I think it's possible to lose weight with PCOS is to just resolve to let go of all processed foods and sugars...Don't give up hope though, I was able to have 2 more babies! Check with your doc about clomid

SkinnyOJ2010

I have PCOS and have been diagnosed since the age of 16, when I started taking metformin (it was in the trial stages at the time) and it made me so sick - no weight loss, no periods.

Whilst it may be "harder" to lose weight, it is definately not impossible. Eating natural, non-processed foods really helps! My periods are not back to a 35 day cycle too!

KimmyBee

Even with taking the pill my periods seem to come and go as they please, usually being a week or two late and lasting way longer than a week. Its really annoying.

July24Lioness

Even with taking the pill my periods seem to come and go as they please, usually being a week or two late and lasting way longer than a week. Its really annoying.

For me, eating a low carb way of eating with no grains and limited dairy my cycles come like they are supposed to and are light and cramps are no longer bad either.

KimmyBee

Im trying to go low carb. But I love rice and bread too much =C

I do make sure im always under the amount directed by MFP.

How many carbs a day would class as low carb?

rnroadrunner

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Frequently Asked Questions

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What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
How many women have PCOS?
What causes PCOS?
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
Why do women with PCOS have trouble with their menstrual cycle and fertility?
Does PCOS change at menopause?
How do I know if I have PCOS?
How is PCOS treated?
How does PCOS affect a woman while pregnant?
Does PCOS put women at risk for other health problems?
I have PCOS. What can I do to prevent complications?
How can I cope with the emotional effects of PCOS?
For more information
See also:

Ovarian Cysts
Infertility
Heart Healthy Eating
What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's:

Menstrual cycle
Ability to have children
Hormones
Heart
Blood vessels
Appearance
With PCOS, women typically have:

High levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, though females also make them.
Missed or irregular periods (monthly bleeding)
Many small cysts (sists) (fluid-filled sacs) in their ovaries
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How many women have PCOS?
Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 women of childbearing age has PCOS. As many as 5 million women in the United States may be affected. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old.

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What causes PCOS?
The cause of PCOS is unknown. But most experts think that several factors, including genetics, could play a role. Women with PCOS are more likely to have a mother or sister with PCOS.

A main underlying problem with PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. In women with PCOS, the ovaries make more androgens than normal. Androgens are male hormones that females also make. High levels of these hormones affect the development and release of eggs during ovulation.

Researchers also think insulin may be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. Many women with PCOS have too much insulin in their bodies because they have problems using it. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. High androgen levels can lead to:

Acne
Excessive hair growth
Weight gain
Problems with ovulation
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What are the symptoms of PCOS?
The symptoms of PCOS can vary from woman to woman. Some of the symptoms of PCOS include:

Infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating. In fact, PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility.
Infrequent, absent, and/or irregular menstrual periods
Hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um) — increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
Cysts on the ovaries
Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
Weight gain or obesity, usually with extra weight around the waist
Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
Patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs that are thick and dark brown or black
Skin tags — excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
Pelvic pain
Anxiety or depression
Sleep apnea — when breathing stops for short periods of time while asleep
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Why do women with PCOS have trouble with their menstrual cycle and fertility?
The ovaries, where a woman’s eggs are produced, have tiny fluid-filled sacs called follicles or cysts. As the egg grows, the follicle builds up fluid. When the egg matures, the follicle breaks open, the egg is released, and the egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus (womb) for fertilization. This is called ovulation.

In women with PCOS, the ovary doesn't make all of the hormones it needs for an egg to fully mature. The follicles may start to grow and build up fluid but ovulation does not occur. Instead, some follicles may remain as cysts. For these reasons, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone, a woman's menstrual cycle is irregular or absent. Plus, the ovaries make male hormones, which also prevent ovulation.