How To Balance Blood Sugar When You Have PCOS

Overview

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal problem that happens during the reproductive period. If you have PCOS, your period may not come often. Or you have a period that lasts for days. Sometimes there are too many hormones called androgens in the body.

In PCOS, many small fluid sacs develop on the outer edge of the ovaries. These are called cysts. Small, fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs. These are called hair follicles. Follicles do not release eggs on a regular basis.

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Early diagnosis, and weight loss, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in the long term along with the treatment.

Major causes of PCOS

Insulin resistance is one of the underlying physiological imbalances in most if not all, PCOS. This happens when the pancreas has to release more insulin in response to high blood sugar. Cells become resistant to constant insulin and require more signalling to bring blood sugar down.

"Insulin, by the way, is a fat-storage hormone that concentrates fat in the abdomen," says Dr. Abed Al-Wahhab. "High insulin levels can direct the ovaries to produce more testosterone, which is why some women with PCOS have symptoms of excess androgens, such as dark hair on their face and abdomen." Blood sugar over the last 12 months. Aim for insulin levels below 10. Fasting blood sugar should be below 90 or so.

Processed foods and stress are major contributors

The most common contributor to insulin resistance is a diet high in simple carbohydrates and processed foods.

“Eating cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, and pasta for dinner with a glass of wine numbs the insulin receptors in the cells and makes them insensitive to insulin.” Abed Al-Wahhab

Ways to balance blood sugar when you have PCOS

Diet and exercise are the most basic ways for patients to manage insulin levels and control PCOS symptoms. Even if all you can do is walk during the day, encourage them to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day to help regulate their blood sugar levels.

It also provides general advice on healthy eating. Discourage fad diets and meal plans that are likely to result in dramatic gains and losses.No need to be too restrictive. Just eat a balanced diet.

Let's start by sharing these tips.

Eat Regularly Throughout the Day: Eat every few hours to keep your blood sugar stable. Fasting and calorie restriction are not good ideas for women with PCOS and insulin resistance. is a healthy eating option. Dates and other dried fruits can help curb your sweet tooth.\

Read Food Labels: Teach patients how to read food labels to understand fat, calories, and protein, and look for added sugars and refined carbohydrates.

Stick to Whole Grains: Encourage patients to choose whole grains, brown rice, and oats over white bread and processed crackers and cookies. Be careful to limit carbs and balance them with proteins, fruits and vegetables.

Limit Sweets: Controlling Sugar Is Important To Treat Insulin Resistance And Her Symptoms Of PCOS is. The PCOS Nutrition Center recommends keeping sugar below 45 grams per day.

Eat foods with a low glycemic index: Low GI foods help improve and balance insulin levels. Women with PCOS often have more insulin in their blood because they resist the effects of insulin.

The glycemic index measures the rate at which certain carbohydrates are converted to glucose and released into the bloodstream. Eating foods high in sugar (simple carbohydrates) raises blood sugar levels. Sugar spikes insulin. The body releases insulin to normalize high blood sugar levels. The sweeter the carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, sugar, white potatoes, cookies, candy), the more insulin your body produces.

Balance protein and carbohydrates. Choose whole grains and avoid processed carbs (especially white bread/pasta). Equal amounts of protein and healthy carbs help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Choose organic or grass-fed animal products. Commercially available meat contains large amounts of additional hormones that make animals grow bigger, and faster, and produce more milk.

Eat whole foods, mostly plant-based. Our bodies are designed to thrive on animal proteins such as vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits, fish, chicken and eggs. Try to eat protein and fat

Starting your day with protein, whether it's nuts, nut butter, eggs, protein shakes, or even leftovers from the night before, can help boost your metabolism and help you binge eat throughout the day.

Eat often. Fueling your body regularly throughout the day will speed up your metabolism. Prioritize eating three meals each day and a few snacks.

Avoid dairy, refined sugar, and flour products. They slow down your metabolism and contribute to inflammation in your body. Instead, eat grains rich in fibre and protein, such as quinoa, farro, and wheat berries.

Eliminate toxic foods from your diet. Toxic foods such as trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and processed foods with ingredients that are not easily recognizable disrupt metabolism and cause blood sugar imbalances. It contains agave syrup.

How do you know if you have PCOS

Common symptoms of PCOS are:

  • Irregular or no menstruation
  • Difficulty conceiving (due to irregular or no ovulation)
  • Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) - usually on the face, chest, back, or buttocks
  • Weight gain
  • Thinning hair
  • Hair loss
  • Oily skin or acne

If you have any of these symptoms and think you might have PCOS, see your GP.

Infertility

PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. Many women discover they have PCOS when they have trouble conceiving.

During each menstrual cycle, the ovary releases an egg (egg) into the uterus (uterus). This process is called ovulation and usually occurs once a month.

However, women with polycystic ovary syndrome never or rarely ovulate.

Late life risks

PCOS increases the likelihood of developing other health problems later in life.

For example, women with polycystic ovary syndrome are at increased risk of:

  • Type 2 diabetes – a lifelong condition that causes high blood sugar
  • Depression and mood swings – symptoms of PCOS affect self-confidence and self-esteem high
  • Sleep Apnea - Obese women can also develop sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops during sleep. year) have an above-average risk of developing endometrial cancer

However, the chances of developing endometrial cancer remain low and can be minimized with physiological management treatments such as oral contraceptives and an intrauterine system (IUS).

Summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex reproductive, metabolic, and psychological disorder that impacts women's health and quality of life throughout their lives. Physicians should be aware of the clinical features and risks of women with PCOS and investigate and treat accordingly. Clinicians should focus on lifestyle changes as first-line management to improve reproductive, metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychosocial outcomes, with an emphasis on weight management and physical activity.

In addition, medications in the form of COCP and metformin are also helpful. Lifestyle interventions are recommended as first-line treatment for the management of anovulatory infertility in the absence of other factors. If this fails, ovulation induction with letrozole is the first treatment, followed by clomiphene citrate and metformin.

Gonadal Stimulation and laparoscopic surgery are second-line treatments, and IVF treatment is tertiary treatment. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Abstract Neven et al. 9 This document has been downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized disclosure is strictly prohibited.

Where other processing failed. The latest international evidence-based guidelines describe these treatments and provide translated resources for health professionals or women with PCOS. Together, they are designed to provide a valuable resource to assist doctors in optimally evaluating and treating her PCOS.

References

  1. Marshall JC, Dunaif A. All Women With PCOS Should Be Treated For Insulin Resistance. Fertil Steril [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2023 Jun 2]; 97(1):18–22. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277302/.
  2. PCOS diet: Foods to eat and avoid [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Jun 2]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323002.
  3. Guan DB. Blood Sugar and Insulin: Finding Balance for Fertility and PCOS. Dr. BreAnna Guan [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Jun 2]. Available from: https://drbreannaguan.com/blood-sugar-and-insulin-finding-balance-for-fertility-and-pcos/.
This content is purely informational and isn’t medical guidance. It shouldn’t replace professional medical counsel. Always consult your physician regarding treatment risks and benefits. See our editorial standards for more details.

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Dr. Riya Dave

Bachelors of Dental Surgery – BDS, Gujrat University, Gujrat

Dr. Riya Dave is a dentist with strong skills related to medicine and dentistry. She has a clinical
exposure for 3 years with a knowledge of anatomy, physiology, basic general medicine and surgery,
pharmacology and dental expertise in areas related to oral medicine, restorative dentistry, she is
detail-oriented with keen interest in medicine and pharmacology. She has organizational and
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