PCOS, often going by the name of PCOD, is one of the most common lifestyle disorders faced by women. For sufferers of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the elevation of male hormones has far-reaching effects that wreck havoc on their fertility, hair growth, weight and mood. Its causes are still vague and there isn't a medicinal cure for it so on the occasion of PCOS awareness month of September, NDTV Swirlster decided to tackle some of the most commonly asked questions and myths about it. Shikha Dwivedi, Nutritionist at OZiva uses her expertise to speak on the topic. If there was ever anything you wanted to know about PCOS, we've covered it here.
When Should You Check Yourself For PCOS
Shikha advises, "Signs of PCOS can show differently for different women so if she has two or more of the following signs, she should get herself checked and begin treatment. It includes irregular periods or no periods at all, weight gain, difficulty in getting pregnant, excessive body hair growth and acne."
Lifestyle Changes When You Have PCOS
"The first step towards PCOS management is adopting a healthy and holistic lifestyle. The changes one should focus on is to adopt a clean, plant-based diet, workout for at least 30 to 45 minutes daily, maintain a proper sleep pattern and stress-free lifestyle," she recommends.
(Also Read: Did You Know That PCO And PCOS Are Not The Same Conditions?)
Busting Myths About PCOS
"Many believe that PCOS only affects overweight women. While many sufferers are overweight and obese, it does affect healthy women as well," says Shikha and continues, "Losing weight alone will not get rid of PCOS. It is not a curable condition but there are many ways in which one can manage its symptoms."
Dos And Don'ts When Living With PCOS
Shikha advises to keep the following in mind if you suffer from PCOS:
Monitor carbohydrate intake and give preference to quality of carbs over quantity.
Get adequate sleep of approximately 7 to 8 hours daily.
According to Shikha, these don'ts should be avoided if you have PCOS:
Avoid consuming food made of white flour like pastries, pasta and white bread.
Avoid consuming sugary beverages like soda, energy drinks and alcoholic beverages.
(Also Read: 6 Things You Need To Start Doing If You Have PCOS)
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
