With the advent of the health and industrial revolution, the quality of life and living standards have drastically changed. This change has affected individual food habits, sleep schedules and daily routines. Lifestyle changes like these tend to affect women more than men as they are genetically vulnerable to such changes.
In the recent past, Polycystic ovaries, diabetes and a few other conditions have increased in occurrence due to such lifestyle changes. Such conditions predispose long-term changes in lifestyle that are chronic and slow-paced.
In Australia, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition. Almost 8 in 10 women have this condition, and many times, it goes undiagnosed. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 13% of women of reproductive age get affected by this condition.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is relatively self-explanatory. The condition occurs in menstruating women of reproductive age. The ovaries tend to enlarge, and there might be the formation of cysts on the outer lapels of the ovary. While this condition is not life-threatening, it causes hormonal imbalance and may lead to other reproductive health issues.
The symptoms are not specified, but research shows that it is a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
What are the changes that one undergoes?
The onset of PCOS can be from as early as the beginning of puberty. However, the type of changes one’s body goes through differs with age. Early on, there will be hormonal fluctuations that might result in varying androgen levels in the body.
As individuals progress through young adulthood, they might face irregular menstrual cycles, acne issues and hair growth. As one ages, PCOS might even develop into infertility if not treated properly.
It is essential to know that while PCOS does not drastically affect an individual physically, it does promote adverse mental health, and hence they need support. Individuals with PCOS tend to show patterns of low self-esteem, anxiety and, in severe cases, body dysmorphia and depression.
Tactics to manage PCOS
Since it cannot be predicted whether a woman can acquire Polycystic ovaries, it is vital to consistently tailor one’s lifestyle habits to manage PCOS symptoms better.
A lot of these steps are lifestyle alterations and routine changes that have been scientifically proven to improve the mental health of an affected person. Here are a few tips to efficiently manage the effects of PCOS:
● Team Approach is a popular management technique. Here, an individual with PCOS will collaborate with different healthcare professionals to tailor the treatment for each system.
For example, if one struggles with acne due to PCOS, the individual must regularly visit the dermatologist to manage it healthily. This view breaks down PCOS as a particular condition into small manageable steps.
● Dietary changes also work magically. A typical PCOS diet consists of low carbohydrates and fats. This is because high carbs might increase insulin levels and steer the way for diabetes. Adding iron and magnesium-rich foods is also helpful as it is PCOS-friendly.
● Regular exercise is imperative. A minimum of 60 minutes of light aerobic activity is suggested as this reduces androgen and insulin levels. In some cases, it may restore proper ovulation as well!
● Adaptogen herbs like maca and ashwagandha also help in restoring a balance in the insulin levels, thereby reducing the androgen level in the body. However, adaptogen and other supplements must be consumed only after consultation with the doctor as they may/may not interfere with one’s PCOS.
