Headshot picture of Dr Ginevra Mills

Starting in the fall of 2024, Dr. Ginevra Mills will provide PCOS and Secondary Amenorrhea care at VIWC

Top Myths and Misconceptions about PCOS:

  1. Having irrengular periods does not mean you have PCOS.

  2. Having PCOS does not mean you can’t get pregnant.

  3. Obesity and PCOS are related, but they do not cause eachother.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility, affecting up to 15% of women in North America. Yet almost 50% of women with PCOS go undiagnosed. This has ⁠serious health implications as, in addition to being a leading cause ⁠ of infertility, PCOS is associated with a number of other health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and endometrial cancer.

Some women have no idea they have PCOS until they discover they can’t get pregnant.⁠ Other women are told they have PCOS and they can’t get pregnant, which is a complete misconception.

Reproductive symptoms of PCOS (periods and pregnancy) are only one part of the condition and women deserve to have knowledge about how PCOS affects their whole life. PCOS is a hormonal condition with requires lifelong attention and treatment. It is a genetically inherited metabolic condition in which high insulin resistance seems to be a key factor.⁠

How is PCOS diagnosed?⁠

PCOS can be difficult to diagnose because there is no one single diagnostic test and the signs and symptoms vary from patient to patient.⁠

The Rotterdam Criteria are used to diagnose PCOS.

Clinically, if you have TWO out of THREE of the following symptoms, you will most likely be diagnosed with PCOS:

  1. Irregular, few, or absent menstrual periods.⁠

  2. Androgen excess – Excessive body hair, acne, loss of head hair, or increases testosterone in the blood.

  3. Polycystic ovaries – the ovaries of women with PCOS usually have a distinctive appearance on ultrasound.

 Treating PCOS with lifestyle changes ⁠

While there is no magic bullet for treating PCOS, studies show that lifestyle changes like following a Mediterranean style, a low glycemic diet, and incorporating high-intensity exercise can reduce androgen levels, improve ovulation, and decrease insulin resistance. ⁠

  • The glycemic index (GI) is a measurement that ranks carbohydrates based on their ability to raise blood sugar after eating. Foods with a high GI (all refined carbohydrates including any kind of flour or sugar) break down quickly during digestion, causing a quick spike of sugar into the bloodstream.

    The rise in blood sugar results in higher insulin production which, over time, contributes to weight gain and increased diabetes risk.

    Studies have shown improved insulin sensitivity and more regular menstrual cycles in women with PCOS who follow a low GI diet which includes:

    • Reducing or eliminating processed carbohydrates (anything made with flour) ⁠

    • Focusing on complex carbohydrates and fiber⁠

    • Increasing high quality protein, ideally from fatty fish, meats, poultry, and some plants⁠

    • Abundance of low GI fruits and vegetables⁠

    • Eating mono- and poly-unsaturated fats in their natural forms 

  • Exercise has been shown to be extremely effective in increasing insulin sensitively. Studies have shown that moving your body for 30 minutes a day so that you break a sweat is enough to help improve your insulin sensitivity. More recent studies have shown that shorter vigorous activity and strength training improves insulin resistance and decreases the risk of metabolic syndrome among women with PCOS more than long low or medium intensity exercise.

  • Research suggests that certain nutritional supplements may also help manage PCOS.

  • Omega-3 fish oils can help decrease inflammation, insulin resistance, and testosterone levels, improve lipid levels, and promote regular menstrual cycles in women with PCOS.

  • Vitamin D deficiency is common among women with PCOS and has been linked to lower fertility and pregnancy rates, insulin resistance, irregular menstrual cycles, and other symptoms of PCOS.

  • CoQ10 is a naturally occurring antioxidant that is essential for cellular energy production. CoQ10 along with the fertility medications (clomid or letrozole) may help increases ovulation and pregnancy rates more than medication alone.

  • Inositol supplementation can help decrease insulin resistance, reduce testosterone levels, regulate menstrual cycles, and promote ovulation in women with PCOS.