My PCOS Blog Archives

Having PCOS and taking the pill (birth control pill). I personally do not take the pill and haven't taken it for several years. Although, I did have countless on again, off again episodes with the pill.

Originally, I started taking the pill because that was my doctor's advice then I would have the negative symptoms associated with the pill such as weight gain and very sensitive breasts, which would sometimes be especially painful during exercise. Then I would stop taking it. I wouldn't get my period, so the cycle would continue.

So, while on the pill, my period would return. However, it is important to realize that it isn't an actual period but rather a withdrawal from the hormones in the pill. My biggest problem with the pill is it isn't fixing your problem, it's not helping my period to return naturally on a regular, monthly basis. My second complainant with the pill is I don't consume hormones in the food I eat, I don't like the idea of taking a small dosage of hormones each day. I know there are countless studies that claim the pill is safe and effective could possibly even reduce your cancer risk, but I prefer to take my chances naturally.

Are you wondering how you can get a regular monthly period without the pill? It is possible! Trust me, for the past twenty months and counting I have gotten my period naturally. I can not advocate enough how important a healthy diet and exercise truly are! I realize in the beginning you made additional help, I recommend acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Oriental medicine has been around for centuries has a successful track record. It works to balance and heal your body. It's been a true blessing in getting my life back on track and staying there!

More information on a healthy diet.

More information on acupuncture.

Breakfast

I just love November! I think it's a great time of year, but as I post more additions to my blog you'll soon realize that I enjoy all seasons of the year for different reasons. November is normally when Fall becomes a little more crisp, the sky is clear, and I love wearing sweaters! Just take a moment and be thankful for the place your in today!

I started my morning with a great bowl of oatmeal and rice milk, which got me thinking about the importance of a healthy, fulfilling breakfast. It's essential to start your day off with breakfast! Coffee doesn't count as a meal. I cooked steal cut oats, with a sprinkle of cinnamon with a half of apple, sliced thin and all cooked together. It's truly delicious and then your oatmeal doesn't require brown sugar or honey, but a little sprinkle of brown sugar over the top isn't the end all. It's all about moderation and balance.

Other fantastic fall and winter breakfasts I enjoy are eggs with whole grain toast, egg scramble which is really just a quicker omelet. My staple ingredients for an omelet or scramble are mushrooms, onions, red peppers, and some lean protein, and a little cheese. I don't eat pancakes or waffles, it's all carbohydrates and my body doesn't know how to effectively use them for energy instead it's stored as fast and I'm hungry shortly after eating.

It's All About Balance

Your goal is to eliminate your PCOS symptoms, therefore, creating balance in all systems in your body. If your body is completely balanced each system is functioning properly. That means little or no acne, a regular period, no irregular hair growth, essentially no symptoms of PCOS.

The symptoms you're experiencing are labeled as PCOS because it is a combination of symptoms, which is why PCOS is a syndrome not a disease. Therefore, your PCOS can be reversible if you address the causes of your symptoms.

All to often traditional medicine will want to address your irregular period by prescribing birth control pills. I consider this a false sense of accomplishment. Of course while I was taking the pill I would have a normal monthly period, however, if I stopped taking the pill my period wasn't regular. The pill does nothing to change or heal the internal problem. It's just a quick fix, band-aid approach which will more than likely result in a quick result, but no long term solution.

Do You Get A Lot Headaches?

I use to get really bad, frequent headaches, it felt like a migraine, but it wasn't actually a migraine. All I would want was caffeine, some ibuprofen, a hot wash cloth, maybe a bath and to get some sleep. My headaches were frequent and unpredictable. I would get four to six awful headaches each month.

Today, I normally get a mild headache just before the start of my period. It is nothing compared to the pain I use to have. Most of the time it doesn't even phase me. I'll apply pressure to the painful spot and maybe a cold wash cloth for a few minutes.

It's important that to relieve the pain caused by a headache, you use a COLD wash cloth instead of a hot wash cloth. By using a cold wash cloth you are helping to reduce the swelling if any and relieve the pain. A hot wash cloth may feel good initially, but I've been told it makes the headache last longer.

Birth control pills can also play a major role in the occurrence of your headaches. A significant amount of headaches in women are caused by changes in their hormone levels. I had the worst headaches while I was on the pill. Once I stopped taking the pill my headaches began to occur less often. As I improved my diet and consistently got regular exercise my headaches were less and less.

If you're on the pill and experiencing frequent, painful headaches I would recommend using another form of birth control. If you're using the pill to regulate your cycle, it isn't actual fixing the causes of an irregular menstrual cycle, but rather just creating a false sense of accomplishment. More in this in my next post.

Bottom line: if you have frequent headaches you need to remove any artificial hormones you put into your body, you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet and get regular exercise. As these all help to naturally balance your body's hormones.

Herbal Remedies for PCOS

I've gotten several questions about what herbs are successful in treating PCOS; so I've dedicated a page about various herbs you could use to treat your PCOS symptoms.

Herbs are essential in working to reverse your PCOS because herbs help to balance various hormones in your body which results in the organ or system functioning properly. It's important to consulate an acupuncturist, naturopathic doctor, or some other professional that is familiar with using herbs as treatments.

Here is the link about herbal remedies.

Make sure that if your using herbs that you consulate a professional as herbs are medicine as well. Just a more natural option that helps to promote balance and treat the causes of your PCOS rather than just the symptoms.

I would not be the healthy and happy individual I am today if it were not for the various herbs I took along the way.

Taking Time to Relax

Well, it's Friday which after a long week makes me realize how excited I am to come home, have a relaxing dinner and take a bath! Everyone needs to unwind after a busy week. Take some time to yourself. Relaxing is not vegging out in front of the television, but it's finding a quiet place reading a book maybe while listen to some nice, soft music. Taking a hot bath with candles. A stroll around the neighborhood to admire the leaves changing colors.

Today, everyone is so busy and it's always go, go, go. You need to STOP, take a deep breath, and unwind let the stresses from this week go, do not carry them into your weekend. Maybe you prefer to knit, do some gentle yoga stretching, take a twenty minute nap before having people over for dinner.

If by now you aren't thinking to yourself; yes taking a bath, a nice evening stroll or whatever it is that relaxes you sounds perfect; you need to take a little more time for yourself. Take a half hour or hour to yourself, no computer, no phone, no TV and just relax.

Relaxing helps me to let go of a busy day. I like taking a little time to myself at least a few nights a week; you are important and your health is a priority in your life!

Practicing Yoga!

Let me first say that I love yoga! There are so many different types and styles of yoga to pretty much fit anyone's goals. Do you want to balance your body, relax and stretch, build your core muscles? Not to mention countless positions.

I've practiced Bikram yoga, yes it's the hot one! It is fantastic, it's twenty six poses performed twice, except the last posture is only done once. Each pose helps to balance certain systems in your body, by the end of class, which is 90 minutes your body is completely balanced. If it sounds like something you are interested in, I really recommend you try it for a week.

If Bikram doesn't sound like your style of yoga there are plenty more to choose from; check with your local yoga studio.

I have several go-to yoga poses for my different moods or if I'm feeling a little under the weather. I love the child's pose, you sit on your feet and lower legs, arms stretch away from your body, and your head is down. It's a great stretch that releases stress and brings things back into perspective for me. I do it pretty much everyday.

Taking the time daily to practice yoga, even if it's just fifteen minutes, is worth it! Take a class, buy a video, just give it a try! It really has helped me learn to handle and cope with stress and we all know that is what is really important!

Fall is in the Air

It's definitely starting to feel like fall and nothing is better than some home cooked chili to warm you up.

I've added some chili recipes for you to try.

As a variation and a less time consuming option, you can cook the ingredients for five to ten minutes or until the meat is done; then cook in a crock pot on low.

Sugar and Processed Foods

So, it was a friend's birthday this weekend, which means a dinner out and more than likely desert. Eating out use to be such a hassle, but almost any restaurant will normally have at least a semi-healthy option. I normally opt for a salad with chicken or fish, I try to stay away from pastas and other options that have a lot of carbohydrates. I also had a small piece of chocolate cake. I rarely eat sugar, cake, etc. I use to crave it because my body was hungry, it needed a quick fix instead of choosing something healthy I use to go for sugar or caffeine. I now make much better choices and since I rarely eat processed foods and sugar, I no longer find the taste all that enjoyable. Before my period I'll crave chocolate, but I'll have a small piece of dark chocolate and be completely satisfied.

Getting to the reason I wanted to post about sugar and processed foods. Well, this morning I woke up with a pretty bad break out, I know it's the sugar as this has happened before. Since, it's essentially eliminated from my diet when I do have it, it doesn't agree with my body and shows on my face.

Now, if I'm hungry I reach for nuts, a half of sliced avocado, a healthy fat that is fulfilling. A lot of people have this fear that foods high in fat are unhealthy and make you fat; this is not entirely true. High fat processed foods will make you fat because your body doesn't know how to properly use it as energy. Any whole food with healthy fat will not make you fat. It's the garbage, the preservatives, the additives in the food that are stored as fat in your body.

So, if your asking yourself why your not losing weight? It might be that your eating fatty, processed foods that cause your body not to effectively digest the healthy food your putting into your body.

Bottom line if you want to be healthy, if you want to lose weight eliminate any processed foods and sugar.

Living in the Moment!

I've worked hard over the past two years to really focus on being content and happy with my place in life, right now, today, this moment. It hasn't been easy, but all the hard work has been worth it. Don't worry about what you can not change; but focus on choices and changes that you can make happen. I can not emphasize this enough, it really does make all the difference in the world.

Look at today, what will you do today, to make tomorrow and your future better? Accept yourself, your body, your weight as it is today and be happy, it could be worse.

If you are always hoping and dreaming about your future you will miss all the great things that are happening in your life, today. Enjoy the steps and successes you are having on your way to getting healthy, if you do, you will appreciate it so much more once you get there.

I never use to be a runner, I still don't consider myself a true runner. Nonetheless, about five months ago I started jogging a few days a week as part of my exercise plan. I hated it. Probably because I had always told myself I didn't like it because I wasn't any good at it. After jogging a few times, I realized I really enjoyed the sense of accomplishment I experienced as I continued to be able to run longer. Initially, I was so focused that I couldn't do it, that it seemed like I was running forever, even if it was just a couple of minutes. I wasn't focusing on the actual enjoyment of being able to run!

Different situations and circumstances, I really have to remember to live in the moment and enjoy it. Your life should be about living and enjoying it not worrying about what tomorrow or next month will bring, because honestly you really don't know.

Brick Walls

So, I'm reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, it's inspiring, he focuses on living and life lessons. His upbeat attitude and outlook toward a bleak future reaffirmed my thoughts, that I have a great life.

Specifically, he talks about brick walls, yes, unfortunately as a woman with PCOS you maybe facing a brick wall right now or you will.

If you are going to be a winner you will have to decided that whether it is the adult acne, having no energy, difficulty getting pregnant that it is a brick wall you will climb over, you will conquer it.

"Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something."- Randy Pausch

Now is as good a time as any to ask yourself, how bad do you really want it? Are you willing to put in all the hard work it takes to succeed? Don't lie to yourself, don't disappoint yourself.

Stop making excuses in front of your brick wall and start doing the work to climb it. As a woman you are strong and can do anything if you want it bad enough. It comes down to your attitude and your willingness to work at what you want.

Where do you want to be in three months? Set some goals; eating more vegetables, a daily walk, having a positive attitude. Be thankful for your accomplishments and put in the work today, to improve your health tomorrow.

Getting Yourself Motivated!

Sometimes taking the first step is often the most difficult. You probably don't have a lot of energy, but you must start eating healthy and getting some exercise. There are no short cuts or excuses that will get you anywhere.

No one can make you get out of bed early to work out, or trade in your breakfast cereal for oatmeal. Find the motivation inside yourself, why do YOU want to get healthy? Do you want to lose weight? Feel better? Have more energy? Whatever, it is you have to want it enough, to go get it.

I've got myself out of some very depressing situations. In the past I would lose weight, then gain it back, and have to drag myself out of bed to exercise and back to eating healthy. But once, you start losing weight and feeling better it will be the only motivation you need to keep going.

So, what are you waiting for? Start making those changes today! If all the changes are too overwhelming start with a few simple ones. Such as, eating more vegetables and less carbohydrates and walking twenty to thirty minutes per day. As that because more of a habit and you start getting some of your energy back. You can make more changes to your diet and exercise routine.

Get moving, find the inner will power that I know exists in you and make it happen. You're a strong woman and I have no doubt that you can make it happen, if you want to. I have provided the tools and resources you need to make it happen, so no more excuses.

How to Start Eating Healthy?

So, you've decided to start eating healthy. Congratulations, good for you! Proper nutrition is incredibly powerful in healing your body. I eat fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and few complex carbohydrates. For the most part I have eliminated any simple carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol from my diet. I limit my caffeine intake, which was really easy for me as I don't like coffee.

While in the grocery store I stick to the outside aisles,I don't buy cereal, chips, cookies, prepackaged dinners, etc. I plan my meals for the week and make a list. Planning ahead is essential. It helps to have meals and snacks for tired evenings or if your unexpectedly hungry.

My favorite snacks are quick, easy, and provide some protein. Healthy snacks are always ready, so I don't get too hungry, which might lead to eating an unhealthy snack.

I eat three snacks a day between my meals. I always have a small bag of nuts in my purse, as you never know. I also make sure to have celery and carrots already washed and cut in the refrigerator. Makes choosing a healthy snack effortless!

Your first step in transforming your eating habits is to get rid of the unhealthy food. Take a trip to the grocery store and start cooking. Remove the temptation from your kitchen, by replacing them with healthy options.

Healthy eating for me is really effortless because it has become my habit. Given the option between French fries or a salad, I would choose the salad. By fueling my body with vital nutrients I keep it healthy and my energy up.

Start by making small, healthy changes in your diet and you will begin to notice a big difference.

Choose Your Attitude

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~ Mary Engelbreit

Thinking about my first blog post there is so much you need to know about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; countless treatments options, symptoms, struggles, diet suggestions, etc. However, most important is to focus on the situations and circumstances that you can change.

I understand that you didn't choose this. Having PCOS isn't fun and sometimes it is an absolute battle. Nonetheless, everyday you can choose your ATTITUDE.

So, make that choice to look optimistically towards your future. Take the steps necessary today to be closer to your goal tomorrow. A daily step in the right direction can be very simple; promise yourself that today you are not looking at the glass as being half empty, but rather half full.

You have the power and ability to change the outcome, it simply comes down to choices. Are you optimistic or pessimistic? Do you play the poor me card or have you chosen to do something about it?

In the beginning my attitude wasn't the greatest. It use to be a lot of work, everyday to decide to have a positive attitude towards all of the negative news. Today, it isn't that at all. It's more of an unconscious decision as my positive attitude follows me from day to day.

The main question I get asked after women know I have PCOS is what if you can't get pregnant? Obviously that and your weight are probably the two biggest factors that will impact your attitude. I have accepted that there is a likelihood I will not be able to naturally or easily conceive; which for me isn't an issue anymore.

You can't live your life worrying or contemplating something that may or may not happen. Accept the unknowns, minimize unnecessary stress, it really isn't worth it.

Start your day by choosing your attitude and begin to take a step in the right direction maybe by exercising more or changing your eating habits. A positive attitude and outlook can significantly impact your day and your future!

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Information on this site is for educational purposes
and is not intended to replace the advice
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SBI!

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