PCOS: what is it exactly and can you do something about it?
It is increasingly appearing in the news and that is a good thing. Because many people have still never heard of it: PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This means that there are many small cysts around your ovaries. And if you thought that sounded bad: it is. Among others, Romee Strijd spoke out about having difficulty getting pregnant due to her PCOS, which can indeed be caused by this disorder. But (unfortunately) there are many other things you can suffer from due to PCOS. I personally knew very little about it and that's why I enlisted Myriam Koning. She is an expert in the field of PCOS and the founder of the website Healthy Hormones, where she guides women with PCOS. She found that a change in lifestyle can certainly help when you have many complaints. How exactly does that work? You can read about it below.
How did you find out that it was PCOS that you were suffering from? What was the moment you thought: something is not right here?
‘I had been suffering from migraine attacks for a long time and my mood could sometimes change like a leaf on a tree. I had been taking the pill for ten years and because I thought that the same contraceptive pill could be the cause of my complaints, I stopped taking it. Only: once off the pill, I didn't get my period at all. I quickly had a bad feeling about it. Every woman gets her period, so why not me?Later, I was referred to the gynecologist. When she did an ultrasound, the cysts on my ovaries were clearly visible. I was diagnosed with PCOS. This result hit hard. My body wasn't working as it should and I had always wanted to become a mother.’
PCOS is still not very well known among many women, and it is often not taken seriously (enough) by doctors. What are your tips for getting the right help?
‘PCOS is the most common hormonal imbalance: at least 10 percent of women deal with it. But despite this large number, not much is still being said about it, which does not help in recognizing and improving PCOS symptoms. PCOS is often seen as just a fertility problem, but it encompasses much more than that. When hormones are in balance, you feel much better and happier. The complaints associated with PCOS, such as acne, excessive hair growth, or hair loss, are really incredibly tough for a woman. And I haven't even mentioned the long-term consequences, such as developing type 2 diabetes. Often, women only find out when they want to get pregnant, which then doesn't go so easily. This is the moment when women end up at a gynecologist. Doctors follow a protocol when there is a desire for pregnancy, but when this is (not) the case, the only advice is often: ‘take the contraceptive pill.’ My advice is to look further yourself because there is really a lot that can be done naturally. So not just immediately or only following the medical route, but also looking for the cause of your PCOS (symptoms).’
What are changes that someone with PCOS can make in their life to see improvement? And especially: how did you approach that; did you explore a bit to see what worked for your body?
‘I read and researched everything about getting my cycle going. The difference that nutrition can make is remarkable. Insulin resistance and fluctuating blood sugar levels are underlying causes of PCOS in many women. When what you eat helps stabilize your blood sugar levels, it makes a big difference and your hormones can come back into balance. This alleviates your complaints, gets your cycle going, and increases your chances of a natural pregnancy. What may seem obvious is that you should avoid added sugars as much as possible, but paying attention to the right combinations in food is also important. For example, try to add more good fats and proteins to your meals. This helps to dampen sugar spikes. A factor with a lot of influence that is often underestimated is stress. Or rather the opposite: building in enough moments of rest. This can be done by scheduling more time for yourself, in the form of yoga or meditation, for example. But it can also be something else that makes you very happy, such as a walk in nature or meeting up with friends. This can do so much for your hormonal balance. Furthermore, supplements can be a nice addition to healthy PCOS-proof nutrition, as I call it. Specific supplements like D-Chiro-Inositol and Six Sense can positively support and accelerate recovery. These stabilize blood sugar levels, normalizing hormonal balance.’
How long did it take before you saw the first improvements?
‘I noticed them quickly. PCOS-proof nutrition had an almost immediate effect on my energy levels and mood. I got my period again for the first time after a year. I have never been so happy to be on my period. My cycle was certainly not immediately regular, but slowly it became shorter and when we were ready for children, I was pregnant within two months. And completely without medical help or medication.’
Solutions for PCOS, not much is scientifically known about that yet. Have you also discussed what worked for you with doctors and how did they respond?
‘When I was still under control in the hospital, I always asked if there was anything I could do myself to reduce my complaints. The answer was always ’no.' When my fluid-filled cysts disappeared on the ultrasound, my gynecologist was surprised. I told her what adjustments I had made and then received confirmation that there are studies showing that stabilizing blood sugar levels can have a positive effect on PCOS. I had also read those studies by then. Fortunately, I now hear more and more positive stories. That doctors indicate that there is something that can be done naturally, clients are sometimes even referred to me. My general practitioner at that time found it super interesting but admitted that they simply do not learn about this in their training. That they only treat PCOS symptoms but do not actually look at the cause of PCOS. Therefore, I think that especially with PCOS, a natural approach can support the medical world so well, so that women can permanently get rid of their complaints and long-term health risks are prevented.’
