PCOS is short for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Before I start, I want to clarify that the cysts mentioned are small fluid-filled sacks on the ovaries and NOT cancerous growths.
I did my Master’s degree in 2002 on the influence of diet on hormonal parameters in anovulatory women of which PCOS was a condition that was included in the study. (anovulatory – the absence of ovulation)
To better understand PCOS, I will start with a very brief summary of the menstrual cycle, in order for you to understand the essence of PCOS.
Conventionally a menstrual cycle is regarded as a 28-day cycle. Day 1 of the cycle is day one of when menstruation starts. Menstruation last on average around 5 days. Day 28 is the day before menstruation starts again in the next cycle.
I will focus on four of the main hormones in the menstrual cycle. Estrogen, Progesterone, FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Luteinizing hormone).
These FOUR hormones peak at FOUR DIFFERENT times in our menstrual cycle “No wonder the men in our lives don’t understand our unique behaviour as females. Many books including “Women are from Venus and Men are from mars” where written on this topic. LOL
Refer to the graph below to better explain what I mean.
This graph depicts the hormone levels at Day 1 of menstruation (left), through to Day 28 – the day before menstruation starts (right).
As women we are born with 1 million eggs, and at puberty, we have about 300 000 eggs. Eggs decline as we age. (on the other hand, men produce new sperm every 64 days!).
The cycle starts with FSH which gradually increases with the onset of menstruation and peaks around day 14.
FSH together with a spike in Estrogen and LH facilitates ovulation in the mid-cycle period.
Ovulation is defined as the release of the egg from one of the ovaries.
With PCOS this cycle is disrupted because of hormonal imbalances, which in turn results in the absence of ovulation. Multiple fluid-filled sacks forms in the ovary but no egg is released – from there the name poly (many) – cystic (fluid-filled sacks) – ovarian (in the ovary) syndrome.
The main cause of PCOS is related to lifestyle (I call it “life happens”) this includes poor diet, lack of physical activity, not enough quality sleep, and high stress levels.
Millions of women worldwide are suffering from PCOS, and it is estimated that as high as 18% of women in South Africa with infertility and menstrual cycle irregularities may have undiagnosed PCOS. Women are usually diagnosed when consulting with a gynaecologist for hormonal problems, or for struggling to fall pregnant.
The hormonal imbalances mentioned include: Increased androgens levels (male hormones), a change in FSH: LH ratio and high insulin levels and insulin resistance. This leads to undesired symptoms including:
Symptoms include:
The most successful proven medical treatment for PCOS is positive lifestyle interventions that include supplementation with specific vitamins and nutrients as well as increasing exercise levels and following a healthy diet (that is not a fad diet, thus it can be followed for life).
Women with PCOS have an increased risk for miscarriage, and the recurrence of symptoms when healthy Lifestyle changes are not followed anymore.
When considering supplementation to treat and prevent PCOS you should take the following into account. The supplements should:
Written by dietician: Liz-Mare Lusardi RD(SA)
**Sources are available upon request
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