Guest Post by Tania - Trying to Conceive with PCOS and Importance of Nutrition

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand

Psalm 127: 3 & 4

"HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

 

 

 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS is one of the most common reasons why a woman is unable to become pregnant when trying to conceive. A woman with PCOS has cysts or fluid filled sacks on the ovaries, which can prevent ovulation and hinder normal functioning of the reproductive system. Though PCOS has been a recognized disorder for more than 75 years, the causes and reasons behind it are still unknown. Some experts feel it can be related to hereditary and others believe there to be a link between PCOS and diabetes, which is also plausible.

While most women diagnosed with PCOS will have an insulin resistance problem, there are some that do not. Ovarian cysts are common with PCOS, however; there are also cases of women being diagnosed with no cysts at all. Trying to conceive with PCOS can be very difficult, but not impossible, especially when a woman is proactive about her health and employs a battery of different things to address the symptoms of the disease.

A woman with PCOS and insulin resistance will have higher than normal levels of insulin and the body does not use the hormone effectively. Insulin resistance is normally handled through the use of certain medications and for some women; a special diet can also help alleviate some of the side effects. By working to stabilize insulin levels it can help with PCOS-related obesity and can promote fertility, making it much easier to become pregnant when trying to conceive.

With insulin resistance, some women with PCOS can find weight gain and obesity a very disturbing, but genuine problem. One research study showed that women consuming certain diets and having PCOS put themselves at a higher risk of gaining weight. A low fat diet plan may not be ideal for a woman with PCOS, a standard low fat-high carbohydrate diet may not be the best approach either because of the way the body converts these foods into fats. When fats and carbohydrates are converted to sugars, it can result in a fluctuation of insulin levels which can lead to a crash in blood sugar and overeating.

There are certain dietary recommendations which a woman can use when dealing with insulin resistance due to PCOS. It is recommended not to consume carbohydrates alone, but to combine with protein and fat in order to balance out the meal. Choosing foods low on the glycemic index will cause a slower rise in blood sugar, having more fiber content also means it takes longer to digest, which means insulin levels are more likely to remain stable. Do not limit carbohydrates so much that ketosis (incomplete metabolism of fatty acids) occurs; eating less than 40 grams of carbs per day is not recommended.

Other dietary recommendations for a woman with PCOS include spacing out carbs through the day and avoiding carbs which can trigger hunger or cravings. It is also recommended a woman takes a vitamin/mineral supplement to help fill in any dietary gaps and ensure optimal health. With certain dietary and lifestyle accommodations made, a woman can live with and manage the symptoms of PCOS in the healthiest way possible.

Trying to conceive with PCOS is something that can present a challenge for many women. When considering all the ways there are in which to treat and manage the disease, it pays for a woman to check into all the various possibilities. PCOS does not have to result in infertility for a woman and once brought under control through medical care and lifestyle and dietary changes, the chances of pregnancy improve as does the woman’s health.