Managing PCOS: What Has Worked for You?

I had a short period of PCOS when I went off my low-dose birth control. I corrected my acne and menstrual pain and even got rid of the “pearls” on my ovaries by introducing new vitamins into my diet. I focused on B vitamins, vitamins D, and probiotics. I also ate more broccoli and Brussels sprouts. My friend says using a mineral-rich sea salt can also help.

I have been on a gluten free/ limited dairy diet for about 2 years now, and it’s helped a lot! I also have been doing lower carb (not Keto, just carb conscious), and that’s been helping me too. I eat a ton of veggies and protein, and cut out caffeine a year ago. I also implemented 4-5 days a week of strength training with weights, and that’s where I’ve seen a difference, as well. I have some insulin resistance with normal blood sugars (A1C is between 4.9-5), elevated androgens, and am estrogen dominant. I have hormonal acne, some hair thinning, tons of fatigue, and have trouble losing weight. My cycle is pretty normal, but I have debilitating pain whenever I have my period (almost throw up, back and pelvic pain, etc). My diet and exercise has helped with my acne, mood, and overall fatigue, which is a win in my book. I take lots of different supplements, including ovasitol, and my doctor is having me wear a Dexcom CGM device to see what carbs/ foods spike my blood sugar, so I know for the future. I want to not be on medication and don’t want to become a diabetic in the future, so that’s why I am taking a more strict diet/ exercise approach to my treatment. I was on hormonal birth control for 5 years but it didn’t help with my period pain, and it caused me to gain a ton of weight, so I’m currently medication free!

As for symptoms, before I got on birth control, my cycle was really erratic. I would go months at a time without having my period, and when I would, I would have an extremely heavy flow, and my cramps would get so bad it would cause me to throw up

That’s interesting, I actually found that when I cut back on red meat and switched to a more pescatarian diet it seemed to help me (granted I haven’t been pescatarian for a few years now… poor self control lol). Finding the right birth control helped me too

Hmmm, what made you start a meat based diet?

my biggest help so far has been switching to a meat based diet whenever possible, my biggest symptom so far has been the weight gain, and thankfully my new diet has helped me lose 35lbs (which i promptly regained over the holidays)