Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Nutrition

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disease that is seen in one of every 10 women in the reproductive period and causes infertility in the long term.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by:

• Menstrual irregularities,
• Hirsutism (masculine hair growth),
• Pimples (acne) formation,
• Insulin resistance,
• Abdominal obesity.

There is a cycle between polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity. Endocrine disorders trigger weight gain in PCOS. At the same time, these disorders regress with weight loss.

Especially android (pear) type obesity is seen in women with polystic ovary syndrome. With this distribution of adipose tissue, glucose tolerance disorders, hyperinsulinemia, and future diabetes incidence increase in these patients.

While being overweight causes hormone imbalance in individuals with PCOS, high fat increases the risk of infertility and miscarriage. Achieving weight loss in PCOS becomes more difficult with the increase in androgen hormones and appetite. For this reason, the first step in the treatment of the disease is to gain a sustainable diet, exercise habit and thus to change the lifestyle.

The aim of nutritional therapy is to provide weight loss, balance blood glucose, reduce insulin resistance and regulate androgen levels. In addition, the content of the diet also affects insulin sensitivity. For this reason, the amount and quality of carbohydrates in the diet have a significant effect on insulin sensitivity. Especially a diet consisting of unprocessed foods, high in fiber and rich in complex carbohydrates has important effects on this sensitivity.

Nutritional Recommendations

• It should be fed little and often. Meals should not be skipped. Being hungry for a long time will lead to an imbalance on blood sugar.
• A balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins should be provided in the diet. Complex carbohydrates should be preferred instead of simple carbohydrates, and unsaturated fats should be preferred instead of saturated fats. Especially omega 3 fatty acid sources should be preferred.
• The fiber content of the diet should be high. 4-5 servings of fruit and vegetables should be consumed per day and care should be taken to ensure that they are in season. Care should be taken to add legumes to the diet at least twice a week.
• Avoid sugary foods and packaged foods. Label reading habit should be gained.
• Vitamin D deficiency can also prevent weight loss. For this reason, it should be checked regularly.
• Exercise should be done regularly and this should be made into continuity.
• In order to break the body weight cycle, the nutrition program should be personalized and should be progressed under the control of a dietitian.