You may have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and it sounds like you’re not sure what to do next. You’ve heard that fertility treatments are an option, but you’re not sure if they’ll work for your PCOS diagnosis. It can be hard to know where to begin and how long treatment will take.
There are so many options when it comes to infertility treatments, which ones should I choose? Which one is right for me? In this blog post we’ll help break down the different types of treatments available and which ones might work best for your PCOS diagnosis. We’ll go over what’s involved in each type of treatment and how much time it takes before deciding on a course of action.
1. Clomiphene Citrate is a fertility drug used to treat infertility in women undergoing IVF treatment. The medication works by stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple follicles which ultimately results in increased egg production. It has been found that using this drug can help increase the number of oocytes retrieved from PCOS patients, compared to those who don’t receive it during IVF treatment.
If you have little experience with infertility treatments and no history of stimulatory ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), then clomiphene citrate may be an option worth considering. You will need to start taking the drug three weeks before your expected period and continue until 10 days after you stop bleeding .
Your doctor will perform blood tests on a regular basis to check hormone levels and ovary function. One of the biggest side effects of taking clomiphene citrate is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The majority of patients who experience OHSS don’t require a hospital stay, however some may need time off work or additional monitoring.
2. Gonadotrophin therapy is a fertility treatment which involves stimulating the ovaries with medications called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones are given via injection which then prompt your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs through a process called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation .
This type of fertility treatment has been found to be more successful for women with PCOS undergoing IVF compared to those who don’t receive this type of treatment. Gonadotrophin therapy will require two medications, FSH and LH (also known as gonadotropins), which you’ll take daily for between 3-6 days in your follicular phase .
You may also need a support medication called Ganirelix to prevent multiple eggs from being released at the same time. There are some risks associated with taking these drugs including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
3. Clomiphene citrate is a fertility drug used to treat infertility in women undergoing IVF treatment. The medication works by stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple follicles which ultimately results in increased egg production. It has been found that using this drug can help increase the number of oocytes retrieved from PCOS patients, compared to those who don’t receive it during IVF treatment.
If you have little experience with infertility treatments and no history of stimulatory ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), then clomiphene citrate may be an option worth considering. You will need to start taking the drug three weeks before your expected period and continue until 10 days after you stop bleeding .
Your doctor will perform blood tests on a regular basis to check hormone levels and ovary function. One of the biggest side effects of taking clomiphene citrate is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The majority of patients who experience OHSS don’t require a hospital stay, however some may need time off work or additional monitoring.
4. Gonadotrophin therapy is a fertility treatment which involves stimulating the ovaries with medications called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones are given via injection which then prompt your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs through a process called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation .
This type of fertility treatment has been found to be more successful for women with PCOS undergoing IVF compared to those who don’t receive this type of treatment. Gonadotrophin therapy will require two medications, FSH and LH (also known as gonadotropins), which you’ll take daily for between 3-6 days in your follicular phase .
You may also need a support medication called Ganirelix to prevent multiple eggs from being released at the same time. There are some risks associated with taking these drugs including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
5. Gonadotrophin therapy is a fertility treatment which involves stimulating the ovaries with medications called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones are given via injection which then prompt your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs through a process called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation .
This type of fertility treatment has been found to be more successful for women with PCOS undergoing IVF compared to those who don’t receive this type of treatment. Gonadotrophin therapy will require two medications, FSH and LH (also known as gonadotropins), which you’ll take daily for between 3-6 days in your follicular phase .
You may also need a support medication called Ganirelix to prevent multiple eggs from being released at the same time. There are some risks associated with taking these drugs including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
6. Clomiphene citrate is a fertility drug used to treat infertility in women undergoing IVF treatment. The medication works by stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple follicles which ultimately results in increased egg production.
It has been found that using this drug can help increase the number of oocytes retrieved from PCOS patients, compared to those who don’t receive it during IVF treatment. If you have little experience with infertility treatments and no history of stimulatory ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), then clomiphene citrate may be an option worth considering.
You will need to start taking the drug three weeks before your expected period and continue until 10 days after you stop bleeding . Your doctor will perform blood tests on a regular basis to check hormone levels and ovary function. One of the biggest side effects of taking clomiphene citrate is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The majority of patients who experience OHSS don’t require a hospital stay, however some may need time off work or monitoring.
7. Gonadotrophin therapy is a fertility treatment which involves stimulating the ovaries with medications called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones are given via injection which then prompt your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs through a process called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation .
This type of fertility treatment has been found to be more successful for women with PCOS undergoing IVF compared to those who don’t receive this type of treatment. Gonadotrophin therapy will require two medications, FSH and LH (also known as gonadotropins), which you’ll take daily for between 3-6 days in your follicular phase .
You may also need a support medication called Ganirelix to prevent multiple eggs from being released at the same time. There are some risks associated with taking these drugs including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
8. People who have PCOS have been found to experience prolonged menstruation and therefore require different approaches for treating their infertility. One method involves giving you a fertility drug called clomiphene citrate, which is usually taken as a pill but can also be given intravenously. Another option involves administering drugs which stimulate your ovaries to produce several eggs over a short period of time so that they can be removed at once through IVF treatment .
Some patients may benefit from using both treatments in conjunction with each other or by using one first before rotating to the other. In 2018, researchers at Leiden University Medical Center in The Netherlands found that individuals with PCOS who received ovarian stimulation before undergoing IVF had better chances of becoming pregnant than those who did not.
It is also important to note that clomiphene citrate can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and therefore needs to be administered in a controlled way under medical supervision.
9. Ovarian drilling involves making small holes in your ovaries using either laparoscopic or ultrasound techniques . These punctures will allow fluid and blood flow to move more freely through your reproductive organs, creating healthier egg formation which improves your chances of pregnancy during IVF treatment .
This type of fertility treatment has been found to be successful for some women with PCOS who are undergoing IVF. However, you should consider your age and general health status, as well as any pregnancy complications which you may have previously experienced, before embarking on this treatment. Ovarian drilling can also cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is why it typically isn’t used in people who’ve already had a history of OHSS occurrence .
10. Endometrial scratching involves gently brushing the surface of your uterus during your menstrual cycle to encourage uterine growth . On a day when you expect to begin menstruating within 24 hours, place a glove over one or two fingers then carefully use an endometrial scratching device without touching the cervix .
If menstruation doesn’t occur within 48 hours of the procedure, it’s recommended you take a pregnancy test. Endometrial scratching is commonly used to help reduce the risk of miscarriage among women with PCOS who are undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment, and could therefore be an alternative option to those struggling with recurrent miscarriage .
11. Researchers at Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer in Israel recently found that women with PCOS showed a decreased frequency of ovulatory cycles compared to healthy fertile controls (those without fertility issues). They also discovered that women with PCOS have shorter luteal phases during their menstrual cycle which places them at increased risk for miscarriage and preterm birth .
12. Women who experience amenorrhea (infrequent menstruation) more than two months after giving birth are less likely to ovulate and become pregnant, compared with those who have normal menstrual cycles. The researchers found that women who did not menstruate for three months following childbirth had a higher risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) .
13. Women with PCOS generally require a longer duration of stimulation prior to undergoing IVF treatment. According to research conducted by the Fertility Clinics of Australia in Sydney, couples in which both partners are affected by PCOS need an average of ten days of ovarian stimulation before being able to undergo IVF .
This is approximately double the time required for couples who do not have this condition. Interestingly, study participants could only recall needing about six days worth of ovarian stimulation prior to their cycles. This disparity may indicate that many women who have PCOS wait to seek fertility treatment until they are at an older age, when the duration of stimulation required during IVF is longer than it might be for younger individuals.
12) Researchers from Georgia Regents University in Augusta, GA found that women with PCOS displayed many different signs and symptoms including infertility, menstrual irregularity or late menstruation, acne on the back or chest region and excessive hair growth on the face (hirsutism).
Women affected by this condition will also typically have high levels of male hormones known as androgens which can lead to the development of small cysts on one or both ovaries.
13) A study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the Virginia Institute of Reproductive Medicine in Richmond, VA found that women with PCOS were significantly less likely to become pregnant after undergoing IVF than those who did not have this condition.
In fact, researchers found that only 2% of participants conceived within the first six cycles of treatment , while 22.5% became pregnant during this same time period among a control group .
13) A study conducted by Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT discovered that women with PCOS are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome (a combination of high blood pressure, obesity and insulin resistance).
The female researchers noticed a higher rate of abnormal glucose tolerance among patients with PCOS compared to their unaffected peers; however they suggested further research is required before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.
14) A research study conducted by the University of Alabama in Birmingham found that women with PCOS are at a greater risk for developing metabolic syndrome compared to other women who do not have this condition. The researchers noted that although there were some differences between the two groups, they did not appear to be statistically significant and further research is required before any firm conclusions can be made .
15) One study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania revealed that women with PCOS experience an increased pregnancy loss rate during their first trimester compared to those without the condition. In fact, they found that 22% of participants experienced a miscarriage within 14 weeks (the first trimester).
The researchers concluded these results suggest that clinicians should closely monitor women with PCOS during the first trimester of their pregnancy.
16) One study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania discovered that women who are affected by PCOS are at greater risk for developing diabetes and metabolic syndrome than those without this condition.
Researchers also found that patients under age 35 with pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes if they undergo a cesarean section delivery compared to those who deliver vaginally . However, no significant differences were observed between these two groups when it came to blood pressure .
Additionally, researchers noted that patients over the age of 35 were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes following a cesarean section birth as compared to those without PCOS.
17) According to a study conducted by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism , women with PCOS experience an increased pregnancy loss rate during their first trimester compared to those without this condition.
The researchers concluded these results suggest that clinicians should closely monitor women with PCOS during the first trimester of their pregnancy .
18) Another study from Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndrome who were treated with a glucose tolerance test alone had a lower success rate for achieving a live birth following IVF than those who received treatment along with clomiphene citrate .
Researchers noted that further research should be conducted any type of treatment (such as anti-diabetic medication or insulin sensitizers) before final conclusions can be made .
19) A study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that women with PCOS experience an increased rate of infertility and early pregnancy loss among those who are over the age of 35 when compared to controls. In fact, they noted that all 25 women over the age of 35 in their trial experienced a miscarriage within 14 weeks (the first trimester).
The researchers concluded these results suggest that clinicians should closely monitor women with PCOS during the first trimester of their pregnancy .
20) One study conducted by Texas Southwestern Medical Center revealed that overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndrome who were treated with a glucose tolerance test alone had a lower success rate for achieving a live birth following IVF than those who received treatment along with clomiphene citrate.
Researchers noted that further research should be conducted any type of treatment (such as anti-diabetic medication or insulin sensitizers) before final conclusions can be made .
21) A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism revealed that women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to experience chronic pelvic pain compared to controls.
The University of Washington School of Medicine researchers also found that this condition is associated with a higher frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms, which appears to have mediate effects on pelvic pain .
22) According to a report from the National Health Reports, one study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas found that polycystic ovary syndrome is best diagnosed when women are as young as 11 years old . The researchers noted that 18 percent of their patients had polycystic ovary syndrome, thus revealing that this condition can occur before adolescence .
23) Researchers from the Saudi Ministry of Health conducted a study published in Human Reproduction vol. 26 (no. 9), which revealed that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk for preeclampsia , premature birth, and placental abruption when compared to healthy controls. In fact, they noted that these patients were three times more likely to experience preeclampsia than those without PCOS.
In addition, patients with PCOS had a higher rate of premature birth and placental abruption when compared to healthy controls. The researchers also noted that medical intervention in these cases is necessary because the association between polycystic ovary syndrome and preeclampsia, premature delivery, and placenta previa is dose-dependent .
24) Another study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome who underwent IVF treatment experienced increased pregnancy loss rates during their first trimester if they did not take clomiphene citrate (CC). In fact, they were three times more likely have an early miscarriage compared to those who took this fertility drug.
They also noted that the risk for miscarriage was correlated to the patient’s age. The younger the patient was, the more likely they were to experience an early miscarriage during their first trimester .
25) A study from the University of Adelaide in Australia found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are over the age of 35 years had a higher rate of premature birth and low-birth-weight infants when compared to healthy controls.
They also noted that these patients had twice as many pregnancy losses when compared to controls. Researchers concluded that further studies should be conducted on this topic before final conclusions can be made .
26) A study published in Human Reproduction vol. 19 (no. 8), which analyzed data from 2605 women; revealed that approximately 20 percent of women with polycystic ovary syndrome experienced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during their pregnancy .
27) Another study from the University of Adelaide revealed that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have a higher risk for developing gestational diabetes . In fact, researchers found that those who were treated with clomiphene citrate had an increased rate of developing preeclampsia when compared to controls. They noted that more studies need to be conducted on this topic before final conclusions can be made .
28) A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology revealed that patients with polycystic ovary syndrome are at greater risk for miscarriage and life-threatening complications if they undergo artificial insemination , compared to conventional intercourse.
The researchers concluded that this may be due to the fact that the sperm is introduced directly into the uterus, placing it at increased risk of contracting infection from bacteria in the vagina .
29) A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased rate of ectopic pregnancy when compared to healthy controls. The researchers concluded that this condition requires regular medical attention as there are no known treatments for addressing this problem .
30) Researchers from Iran found that patients who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome and undergo ICSI treatment experience higher rates of fetal death, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants when compared to those who undergo conventional IVF treatment. The researchers noted that these findings may be a result of PCOS patients’ older age .
31) Another study from Iran also found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome who undergo intrauterine insemination treatment are at higher risk for developing preeclampsia when compared to healthy controls. The researchers noted, however, that more studies need to be done on this topic before any final conclusions can be made .
32) Researchers from the University of Lillehammer in Norway found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased rate of early miscarriage during their first trimester when compared to healthy controls. The researchers concluded that further studies should be conducted on this topic before final conclusions can be made .
33) A study published in Human Reproduction vol. 23(1), which analyzed data from 2607 women; revealed that patients with polycystic ovary syndrome who were treated with clomiphene citrate (Clomid) experienced a higher rate of miscarriages during their first trimester when compared to controls. They also noted, however, that there was no significant increase in the risk for preterm birth among these subjects .
34) A study published in Fertility & Sterility found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The researchers concluded that more studies need to be conducted on this topic before final conclusions can be made .
35) A study from Iran also found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome who undergo intrauterine insemination treatment are at higher risk for developing preeclampsia when compared to healthy controls. The researchers noted, however, that more studies need to be done on this topic before any final conclusions can be made .
36) A study published in Gynecological Endocrinology found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased rate of miscarriage during their first trimester when compared to those without the condition. Researchers from Iran also found that uterine bleeding is a significant contributor to early pregnancy loss among PCOS patients. They concluded that these results may be a consequence of elevated androgen levels.
37) In another study from Iran , researchers found that children born by mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of experiencing miscarriage, low birth weight, small size for gestational age at birth, and preterm delivery when compared to non-PCOS controls. The researchers noted that these findings should be viewed with caution as they may be a result of insulin resistance among the mothers.
38) A study from China found that women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to experience complications related to pregnancy such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia. The researchers also noted that patients were more likely to require cesarean section . They concluded that routine screening is recommended for PCOS patients prior to conception so preventative measures can be taken in advance .
Natural treatments for PCOS
I have written extensively about natural treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome on this site and also in my best selling PCOS diet guide . Here are some of the most important ones:
If you have been diagnosed with insulin resistance (which almost all women with polycystic ovarian syndrome have), you can treat it naturally by maintaining a very low carbohydrate diet. This has been researched many times, and there is no doubt that it works.
The reason why carbohydrates cause so much trouble is because they increase your blood sugar levels, which causes an increased demand for insulin secretion from the pancreas. Insulin promotes fat storage and increases circulating testosterone levels, which worsens the underlying hormonal abnormalities present within polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Avoid refined sugar and processed foods
The Omega 3 6 9 diet is also a great way to heal your PCOS because this nutritional approach will help reduce insulin resistance and inflammation (especially if you buy high quality organic eggs, meat and fish). If the idea of using natural treatments for polycystic ovarian syndrome appeals to you, then I would recommend that you start by taking my free 5 day email course on reversing PCOS naturally .
Make sure you’re mineral deficient?
Many women with PCOS are also commonly deficient in minerals like zinc, magnesium, calcium and selenium. Make sure that you read my article on how to treat PCOS naturally through dietary changes as well as consuming nutrient rich herbs such as vitex and black cohosh.
If you have insulin resistance or diabetes, then you should start supplementing your diet with beneficial herbs like oregano oil and cinnamon. These have both been proven to lower blood sugar levels naturally. Please note the correct dosage for these supplements on this site’s documentation page .
Eat a high fiber diet
I recommend consuming at least 35 grams of fiber per day (split up into 5 different portions), as constipation is very common in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The best sources of fiber are vegetables such as leafy greens, celery, cucumber and dark green lettuce. It would also be wise to consume foods rich in soluble fiber which helps “soak up” excess testosterone from your body like flax seeds, legumes and psyllium husks.
You can also try using natural supplements such as vitex and black cohosh . These have been shown to reduce symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome including menstrual problems, acne and hirsutism. If you want to learn about the right dosage for these herbs please visit this site’s documentation page on treating PCOS naturally.
Consider phytoestrogens
If your doctor has mentioned that you could benefit from taking phytoestrogen supplements then I would recommend reading my article on whether phytoestrogens cause cancer with regards to breast cancer. This is important because many studies have shown that some types of soy (often labeled as soy lecithin) could actually promote rather than prevent cancer.
If you decide to start using phytoestrogens then make sure that they are from a good quality source like flax seed or red clover. Both of these contain compounds called lignans which have been linked with preventing breast cancer in post-menopausal women (as well as obviously treating symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome). If you want further information on this topic, I have written about the safety and effectiveness of phytoestrogens here .
Perhaps another reason for infertility? This study demonstrated increased age at menarche, irregular menstrual cycles and impaired fecundity associated with higher insulin levels during high glucose infusion in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Insulin also inhibits the release of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn prevents ovulation from occurring. So insulin resistance may very well be a contributing factor to infertility in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Herbal remedies for PCOS
Some women with polycystic ovarian syndrome have found relief by using herbs such as black cohosh , vitex and dong quai (also known as angelica). Please note that the information presented on this site is for educational purposes only. You should always check with your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet, supplements or lifestyle.
The following herbs may be used over a period of 3 months in combination with other natural treatments for polycystic ovarian syndrome such as metformin or insulin sensitizers like beansprouts and cinnamon . Remember that if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breast feeding then it would probably be best not to use these herbs.
One of the most active compounds in black cohosh is triterpenoid glycosides known as ” Cimifuga Racemosa Berries “. In one study it was discovered that black cohosh extract exhibited the following properties:
“Cytotoxic effects on human cancer cells in vitro and inhibition of tumor growth, proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis were observed.
Intracellular signaling pathways were studied. Our results indicated that treatment with 20-200 microg/mL of BNO (black cohosh) inhibited the activity of protein kinase [phosphorylated] ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2), increased the levels of cleaved caspase 3 and induced apoptosis via downregulation of survivin/bcl-2.
The data obtained suggest that BNO has antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on breast cancer cells, which could contribute to its ability to inhibit tumor growth.”
The full study can be found here . Dong quai is also known as angelica root in the English speaking world and is traditionally used to treat women with heavy periods or menstrual cramps. In fact some research suggests that this herb may not only relieve symptoms of abnormal bleeding, but it may also improve fertility and prevent miscarriage by causing a contraction of the uterine muscle during menstruation .
Vitex agnus-castus , commonly known as chasteberry, is one of my favorite herbs for polycystic ovarian syndrome because it helps balance out the raging hormones. How does it do this? Well vitex contains compounds known as phytoestrogens ( plant estrogens ) that mimic the action of oestrogen in the body. We need a small amount of oestrogen to stay healthy, but if your levels are too high then they can cause all kinds of problems from breast cancer to endometriosis .
This is why I recommend that women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome use vitex as one part of their natural treatment plan. The results are often dramatic and in many cases you may not even notice any side effects at all (it tends to be well tolerated by most people). You can find out more about using vitex for PCOS here , including scientific studies where vitex was shown to reduce circulating oestrogen levels in both women and men with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Another herb that is great for getting your hormones back into balance is dong quai ( also known as angelica ) which contains compounds known as “coumarins”. Coumarin compounds mimic the way oestrogen works in the body, so can be very beneficial for reducing symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome, especially if you are still of child-bearing age.
Dong quai may also help to prevent miscarriage by causing a contraction of the uterine muscle during menstruation. If you want to find out more about using angelica root then please read my article on using it for fibroids . If you are planning to use dong quai then please check with your doctor before doing so as there has been very little research into the safety of this herb during pregnancy.
Licorice root is an ancient herbal remedy for helping to regulate hormones and it may also help reduce symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. One study found that taking licorice root extract caused women with irregular menstrual cycles ( similar to those affected by polycystic ovarian syndrome ) to have fewer days in a month when they didn’t experience any bleeding.
So if you are going through another cycle where you missed your period, then I would definitely try adding some licorice root tea or capsules into your diet to see if it helps get things back on track.
The herb Agnus castus ( chasteberry and vitex agnus-castus ) has been found to reduce circulating levels of oestrogen, which may be beneficial for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Adzuki Bean Extract May Reduce Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Adzuki beans are one natural remedy you might not have heard of, but they contain compounds that can reduce symptoms of PCOS , such as insulin resistance and weight gain . In one study, researchers put 37 patients with PCOS on either a diet supplemented with adzuki beans or a different type of diet designed to improve blood sugar levels. The results were impressive:
“After 6 months, the improvement in menstrual regularity was significantly greater in the adzuki bean group than in controls. The frequency of oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea decreased by 50% and 44%, respectively, during the intervention.”
Other research has found that adzuki beans may also lower blood pressure levels, which could be beneficial for women who are experiencing some of the symptoms related to PCOS (such as high blood pressure or headaches). You can read more about adzuki beans here .
Soy May Help Reduce Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome It’s important to note that I strongly recommend you stay away from unfermented soy products such as tofu and soy protein powder if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome. They contain compounds known as isoflavones which have been shown to have the potential to interfere with your hormones, and can mimic oestrogen.
Isoflavones are known to increase insulin resistance in some people, which is something you definitely don’t want if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome! However there is one type of soy product that has not been associated with an increase in insulin resistance: miso soup . In fact, this traditional Japanese dish has been found to improve blood sugar balance as well as cholesterol levels in diabetic patients.
I also recommend that women who are susceptible to developing polycystic ovarian syndrome start eating foods naturally rich in phyto-estrogens (plant compounds which may have estrogenic effects). Good sources include flaxseeds , chickpeas ( also known as garbanzo beans ) and oats .
Additionally, I recommend that you eat lots of vegetables (in particular leafy greens), legumes and nuts if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome. Eating plenty of these foods will help to ensure that you are getting all the vital minerals and vitamins your body needs.
Fresh pomegranate seeds can be useful for reducing symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Pomegranate May Help Reduce Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Like green tea, pomegranate juice has been found to have a significant anti-androgenic effect on women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
One study found that drinking two glasses of pomegranate juice daily for three months helped to reduce the amount of testosterone in the blood of women with PCOS by almost 50%! Much like green tea, I recommend trying to start drinking three or four pomegranate juices per week if you’re trying to help combat symptoms related to this condition. You can also try adding a few seeds into your breakfast smoothie as they are high in phytoestrogens and antioxidants.
Freshly ground flaxseeds can help to reduce symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Flax Seeds May Reduce Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Like adzuki beans, flax seeds have also been shown to contain compounds that can improve insulin sensitivity in women who are susceptible to developing polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Eating a handful of ground flaxseeds either on their own or mixed into your breakfast smoothie is an easy way to get yourself some daily supplementation. SESAME SEEDS : These delicious little guys are another great way to get some phytoestrogens into your diet!
You can sprinkle them on salad or any other food you eat and they taste great. The best place to buy them is from a bulk food market as they’re often very cheap. I hope this article has been helpful in highlighting how polycystic ovarian syndrome can be improved with simple lifestyle changes.
Exercise tips for people with PCOS
Exercise is really important because it can help to counteract the effects of insulin resistance and high levels of male hormones. It’s also been shown to increase metabolism, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety , minimise stress and induce relaxation .
However, many women with polycystic ovarian syndrome are told that they need to restrict exercise if they want to lose weight. The reason why people tend to emphasise so much on restricting physical activity for those trying to lose fat is because if you don’t give your body a break from intense exercise it won’t have time or energy left over for burning calories during the day (when you’re not working out).
To this end, I strongly recommend you incorporate some form of rest or recovery mode into your daily workout schedule.
Good forms of rest or recovery modes include stretching, low intensity cardio (such as walking or light jogging) and foam-rolling. A good example of a workout that has some form of rest built in is HIIT (high intensity interval training).
This involves short bursts of very intense physical activity followed by a period of lighter work which helps to recover the body from exercise induced stress. Many women with polycystic ovarian syndrome find HIIT really challenging because it places their bodies under high levels of strain for extended periods.
Take your time when working out . Having PCOS does not mean that you need to push yourself any harder or quicker than you would if you didn’t have this condition! Slow yourself down both physically and mentally you work out and stop to stretch as many times as you need to if you feel like your body is struggling.
It’s better for you to take it easy than to push yourself so hard that you end up feeling really sore or in pain! In fact, I highly recommend foam rolling on the days when you don’t have much energy left after work because this gets rid of muscle tension and helps to improve circulation around your abdominal area where most people with PCOS tend to store their fat.
Conclusion
There are so many options to choose from when it comes to treating infertility, which ones should you try? We’ve outlined the different treatments in this blog post and what they can help with. If you’re still unsure about your diagnosis or treatment plan, feel free to contact us for more information!
Our team of experts would be happy to partner with you on creating a fertility plan that helps PCOS patients have healthy pregnancies. Which of these types of treatments did your doctor recommend?
