PCOS and weightloss

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Replies

  • MelissaGraham7
    MelissaGraham7 Posts: 406 Member
    I don't have PCOS but have read a great deal of literature on the low glycemic index plan and, as some have mentioned, this was supposedly developed primarily for those with PCOS and insulin resistance. It is a very healthy and reasonable lifestyle method, low glycemic index!
  • downwithbottledwater
    downwithbottledwater Posts: 44
    I've been doing well on a low carb diet.

    I keep my carbs under 50 grams per day, my fat is usually under 30 grams, and my protein over 80 grams per day.

    I don't eat any sugar or grains or potatoes at all. I get my carbs from veggies, dairy, and legumes.

    I'm finally starting to have more regular periods, but I haven't found any less facial hair :(

    I'm not on any pcos meds anymore.
  • jozkny
    jozkny Posts: 17 Member
    I have PCOS and was diagnosed about 15 yrs ago. I was very young and relatively fit, weighed 120lbs. After 2 very complicated pregnancies and four surgeries later, I am about high 260's (which is NOT the most I've ever been). I too have been on Metformin, but didn't see significant results so I have been off for about a year. I get regular B12 boosters but other than that, currently NO meds. I have lost 16 lbs on MFP just by keeping track of food. I have not increased my physical activity. I have a goal to maintain a regular workout, but doing "everyday" activities, not in the gym. So far I think just getting over the hurdle and knowing there is support motivates me. Keep up the good work! And be aware of you own body and your limitations, because while having a "cheering section" helps-- you are the only one who knows YOU. Also see what your doctor suggests. :) Good luck!
  • stormyWI
    stormyWI Posts: 12
    I developed PCOS as a result of the Mirena IUD. I dealt with it for six years because I liked not getting a period and wasn't fond of other birth control methods. I tried taking Metformin but couldn't tolerate it. The ovary pain due to the cysts got so bad I finally had the IUD removed a few months ago and I feel great and have started losing weight again.

    Just wanted to say that the Mirena IUD does not cause PCOS. Studies have shown PCOS is caused by insulin resistance and even if not insulin resistant on blood tests there can still be a degree of your body not processing insulin as it should, resulting in the side effects we all hate so much.
  • TyFit08
    TyFit08 Posts: 799 Member
    I developed PCOS as a result of the Mirena IUD. I dealt with it for six years because I liked not getting a period and wasn't fond of other birth control methods. I tried taking Metformin but couldn't tolerate it. The ovary pain due to the cysts got so bad I finally had the IUD removed a few months ago and I feel great and have started losing weight again.

    Just wanted to say that the Mirena IUD does not cause PCOS. Studies have shown PCOS is caused by insulin resistance and even if not insulin resistant on blood tests there can still be a degree of your body not processing insulin as it should, resulting in the side effects we all hate so much.


    PCOS is also hereditary. So most likely someone in your family has it, but is not the result of using a birth control method.
  • lula2515
    lula2515 Posts: 13 Member
    I have pcos and remain unmedicated unless I'm pregnant or ttc. However, I have ALWAYS carried extra weight. Recently, I quit sugar. I have lost 20lbs and kept it off, plus I can tell that my cycles are much more regular than I ever have been. I maintain that, because PCOS is loosely related to diabetic conditions, that quitting sugar and fructose has changed *everything* for me.

    Here's my blog with my journey: http://formytummy.blogspot.com

    Good luck!

    how have you quit sugar exactly? X
  • RobogirlDax
    RobogirlDax Posts: 5 Member
    Hi there,

    I haven't been diagnosed with PCO, however I had just found out from a bloodtest that I don't ovulate. The fertility clinic wants to do IVF after the summer.
    Anyways, I have for the last week been eating from the PCO diet, and I would really like to get friends in here who also follow that diet.

    Best regards Mette
  • atrjohnson
    atrjohnson Posts: 77 Member
    Diagnosed with PCOS earlier this year. Was put on more than one medication. I have taken myself off of it. The diarrhea was unbearable. I am now trying to stick to the meal plan my Dr gave me. I have not yet been able to get my calories that low but I am getting my carbs lower. She wants 80-100 each day. I am also hypoglycemic and have been this way since I was a child. Although since I was a heavier child, adults just told me I was being greedy(seriously). Now, I am the person that keeps snacks at work usual some type of nut or cheese because I know that I cannot go that long without eating regularly or my blood sugar plots vengeance.
  • Angie_1MR
    Angie_1MR Posts: 247
    I have PCOS and have found that lower carbs have helped me! :) I also have some Metforming laying around too, but don't take it much.
  • nicospoon
    nicospoon Posts: 5 Member
    Have you manually set your carbs to 45% as recommended for pcos? Can't stress enough how important it is to stay within your sugar as that is a big problem for people with pcos and fuels the weight loss difficulty. Although I am not diagnosed yet, I am in the middle of tests and met 2 out of the 3 criteria so far (waiting for US to confirm cysts but blood tests already show imbalance) and have lost 15lbs in the last 8 weeks sticking strictly to MFP with a lower carbs allowance. In the past diets have not worked for me either so this is the first time I've had real success.

    You mentioned you are BFing? I have heard a lot of woman say they can't seem to lose while feeding?
  • stormyWI
    stormyWI Posts: 12
    Is anyone following the Insulin Resistance Diet? I decided to do that, as I had done it several years ago and lost about 25 lbs. Other diets, I seem to yo-yo but this one I didn't. The basics of it are to balance your carbs with protein (14g of protein to no more than 30g of carbs every 2 hours, not that you'd eat that EVERY 2 hours but you get the gist).
  • annieviolent
    annieviolent Posts: 14
    Nope - it was the Mirena IUD that gave me cysts on my ovaries. It was documented and confirmed with ultrasounds by my doctor. Thanks.
  • annieviolent
    annieviolent Posts: 14
    And no one in my family has it.
  • nangel4u
    nangel4u Posts: 119
    I have pcos and found out I had it about 2 months ago. I began my weight loss journey about 5 1/2 months ago and I have lost about 5-6 pounds a month since then and still losing. I LOST 31 POUNDS SO FAR WITHOUT MEDICATION!!!! I am not taking meds for it because the doctor didnt recommend it because I have a mild case. So just exercising and eating healthy has worked for me to lose the weight. Good Luck :-)
  • TyFit08
    TyFit08 Posts: 799 Member
    Nope - it was the Mirena IUD that gave me cysts on my ovaries. It was documented and confirmed with ultrasounds by my doctor. Thanks.

    Mirena may have given you cysts, but it is not the cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In fact someone women with PCOS use Mirena to help their symptoms. By the way, having cysts do not mean you have PCOS. Many women with PCOS don't have cysts at all. But irregular cycle, hirsuiism, weight gain, insulin resistance, etc. As for it being hereditary, many women go their entire lifetime without being diagnosed. If you have anyone in your family with irregular menstrual cycles that is most likely an indicator that they too had PCOS just undiagnosed. My mother was never diagnosed, but showed symptoms. If you have in fact been diagnosed with PCOS, I would suggest you educate yourself on the symptoms and the treatment options or have your diagnosis confirmed.
  • coastiebride1120
    coastiebride1120 Posts: 51 Member
    Oh wow has this thread gotten away from me over the last 24 hours or so I will try and remember everyone's questions and answer them.

    My insulin levels were not high enough (90) after blood work alhough that was done 2 years ago, time to have it redone I am sure. But I was still giving the diagnosis of pcos due to everything else.

    I did not know that you can manually set your carb % however, I am always within the 45% range since I have started tracking what I eat 5 weeks ago I was higher at 50% those first two weeks but I have been eliminating carbs where I can since then.

    I am almost always under my allotted calorie consumption besides twice since starting this program. I am always over on my sugar by 2x the recommend amount, most of my sugar does come from fruits, mostly odwalla green juice smoothie, so I am unsure if naturally occurring sugar is counted differently.

    I am bfing and was down to 160 from 215 (mostly water) by my 6 week check up. I later regained 10 pounds shortly after that and have since lost those 10 pounds sometime in late march and have been unable to drop any weight since. Ok well my scale told me 150 a week ago then this week it's up to 158 so I am unsure where I am. Either my scale is broken or my body... Probably my body :)

    Anyone who has info on low gi I would love to read it and findout where I can make tweaks in what I consume.

    I have become frustrated watching peoples food diarys filled with processed crap and they are still losing weight and I cook almost all my meals from home and make as much as I can from scratch. Someone told me how they ate a large takeout pizza everyday and still lost weight!!!! I wouldn't dare look at a piece of pizza.

    Sorry for the typos working from my phone tonight
  • stormyWI
    stormyWI Posts: 12
    Nope - it was the Mirena IUD that gave me cysts on my ovaries. It was documented and confirmed with ultrasounds by my doctor. Thanks.
    Mirena may have given you cysts, but it is not the cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In fact someone women with PCOS use Mirena to help their symptoms. By the way, having cysts do not mean you have PCOS. Many women with PCOS don't have cysts at all. But irregular cycle, hirsuiism, weight gain, insulin resistance, etc. As for it being hereditary, many women go their entire lifetime without being diagnosed. If you have anyone in your family with irregular menstrual cycles that is most likely an indicator that they too had PCOS just undiagnosed. My mother was never diagnosed, but showed symptoms. If you have in fact been diagnosed with PCOS, I would suggest you educate yourself on the symptoms and the treatment options or have your diagnosis confirmed.

    Agree with above. If you doc has told you the Mirena IUD caused your PCOS, your doc is misinformed. Sadly some docs really don't know much about it and if this is the case, definitely seek a 2nd opinion. In fact, my second opinion doesn't even use ultrasound to diagnose PCOS, for the reason the previous poster mentioned.
  • stormyWI
    stormyWI Posts: 12
    Anyone who has info on low gi I would love to read it and findout where I can make tweaks in what I consume.

    I don't have info on the low GI diet ... but I have done The Insulin Resistance Diet (you can google it, $10 on amazon and kindle or roughly $5 for the used book and it works whether you have IR or not). Within 3-4 months I lost 25 lbs and didn't yo-yo like I do with all other diets, so I'm giving it a shot again. This plan balances your carbs with your proteins so I'm sure it's probably pretty similar.
  • annieviolent
    annieviolent Posts: 14
    Happy to report that the following symptoms have disappeared since I had the Mirena IUD removed:

    ovary cysts/pain
    hair loss
    acne
    inability to lose weight
    hirsutism

    Though I'm told by others that Mirena could not have caused PCOS, my doctor thought it did and the PCOS like symptoms have disappeared since having Mirena removed. Just posting in case it helps anyone else.

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