Contents:
- Medical Video: Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Video – Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- What are the consequences if a woman has PCOS?
- PCOS cannot be cured, but can be controlled
- What kind of diet can control PCOS in women?
- 1. Reducing carbohydrate intake
- 2. Consuming foods with a low glycemic index
- 3. Increase breakfast portions
- 4. Increase intake of vitamin D
- 5. Avoid processed carbohydrate foods
Medical Video: Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Video – Brigham and Women’s Hospital
PCOS orpolycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder experienced by women in productive age. The main symptom of this disorder is the appearance of cysts in the ovary due to too much production of androgen hormones.
Androgen hormone itself is a type of male reproductive hormone whose number is very limited to women and if produced too much it will cause hormonal imbalance.
What are the consequences if a woman has PCOS?
In PCOS, ovarian cysts are not dangerous directly, but cause women to experience reproductive health problems. The most frequent effects are especially irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty getting pregnant.
Not only that, PCOS can also cause changes in appearance, because sufferers become more easily overweight, acne, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), and baldness with similar patterns are experienced by men.
PCOS that occurs for a long time will cause uncontrolled hormonal imbalances, which increases a woman's risk for heart disease, hypertension, and endometrial cancer.
PCOS cannot be cured, but can be controlled
The condition of PCOS in women is often associated with higher insulin levels. As a result, sufferers must avoid foods high in carbohydrates because they can increase blood sugar levels and insulin, and cause insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance makes the patient's body produce more androgen hormones, and at the same time it causes difficulty in losing weight.
Until now an effective treatment method for PCOS has not been found, but the hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS can be controlled by making changes in diet and lifestyle. This can reduce the severity of symptoms, and reduce the risk of long-term health problems.
What kind of diet can control PCOS in women?
Here are some dietary tips that can be done to relieve the symptoms of PCOS:
1. Reducing carbohydrate intake
Obesity is a common symptom in women who experience PCOS. Reducing carbohydrate intake is the best way to deal with these symptoms.
In addition, intake of protein and healthy fats can reduce blood sugar levels, so that blood insulin levels remain stable. Foods that are high in protein are also beneficial in suppressing the secretion of the ghrelin hormone which triggers hunger. The effect, you will be full faster when eating.
2. Consuming foods with a low glycemic index
Foods with a low glycemic index are foods that do not increase blood sugar levels quickly, which can also trigger insulin resistance. The main food sources with a low glycemic index include vegetables and fruit, whole grains, protein and healthy fats.
3. Increase breakfast portions
A regular diet is needed to maintain the body's hormonal balance. The results of a small-scale study that included 60 women, showed that there was a decrease in insulin resistance and excessive testosterone secretion in women with a regular diet and a larger portion of breakfast than other times.
The results of the study also showed that ovulation tends to be easier in women with a larger breakfast portion.
4. Increase intake of vitamin D
Some of the symptoms caused by PCOS such as obesity, insulin resistance, and ovulation disorders can also be related to vitamin D deficiency. So by getting enough vitamin D from diet and sun exposure, you can relieve these symptoms.
Besides the benefits of vitamin D can help overcome obesity, further research is still needed regarding the benefits of vitamin D in overcoming insulin resistance and ovulation in PCOS women.
5. Avoid processed carbohydrate foods
Processed carbohydrates in general can trigger an inflammatory process that causes insulin resistance. You need to stop or reduce the amount of intake in large quantities, to control the symptoms of PCOS.
Processed carbohydrates that must be reduced are foods made with white flour, for example pasta and noodles made from flour. However, consumption of pasta made from grains is the right alternative.
In addition, liquid sugar intake with various names such as sucrose, corn fructose syrup and dextrose in various packaging drinks should also be reduced.
