PCOS and infertility challenges part 3
Many women struggle with infertility and a leading cause is often PCOS. Undiagnosed and untreated PCOS. Many women experience symptoms of discomfort that they haven’t sought medical nor psychological support for.
PCOS can cause symptoms incl. infertility and excess facial and body hair, depression, and anxiety. Women suffering from PCOS often report feeling frustrated and anxious about their ability to become pregnant, their weight, excess body and facial hair, and lack of control over their health and bodies.
Stress
PCOS itself is known to cause stress, particularly over the physical symptoms of the condition, such as excessive facial and body hair. This stress can lead to anxiety and depression. It’s more likely to affect younger women with PCOS.
Inflammation
PCOS is also associated with inflammation throughout the body. Prolonged inflammation is associated with high cortisol levels, which increases stress and depression.
High cortisol also increases the risk of insulin resistance, which in turn can cause depression.
A first step to improve symptomatology involves lifestyle changes
Leading an active lifestyle in general may help improve mental health. I.e. low-calorie diets in combination with exercise.
Women with PCOS, who report exercising regularly reduced their symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and those who said they did at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, were less likely to be depressed.
Medications and supplements
Medications that help the body use insulin such as metformin may improve symptoms of depression in people with PCOS. Metformin may also help with anxiety symptoms.
Hormonal imbalance, including excess androgen (high testosterone), birth control pills may be prescribed to help correct it.
Taking omega-3 fatty acid from fish oil alone, or in combination with Vitamin D, may decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with PCOS.
Complementary and alternative therapies
There may be improvement in depression and anxiety among women with PCOS who receive acupuncture and in people who practice mindfulness 30 minutes a day. Yoga that includes poses, guided relaxation, breathing exercises, and meditation further improved women’s mental health.
Seek support and get care
Seek medical and psychological support early to reduce symptomatology. Treatment for infertility, if pregnancy wish isn’t fulfilled.
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