I often see various issues in women who come to me, but one that frequently stands out is PCOS. In this article I share some insights and awareness on how to diagnose PCOS and improve symptoms using diet.
Firstly, PCOS is quite complex. There isn’t just one type of PCOS; there are several, each with different symptoms. Interestingly, having multiple follicles on the ovaries isn’t necessary for a PCOS diagnosis. The key indicator is actually high androgen levels in your body. We can determine this through symptoms like hirsutism or acne and confirmed by blood tests.
When assessing PCOS, I start by examining your blood tests. If your LH level is higher than your FSH level on day 2 of the test, it raises a flag for further investigation. I then look at your androgen levels and explore factors like diet, inflammation, and insulin resistance, as these can often drive PCOS.
Diet plays a crucial role in managing PCOS, regardless of weight. It’s more about how food affects you. Each person is unique, so what works for one might not work for another.
A Book Recommendation for PCOS – The Egg Quality Diet
I highly recommend this book. A clinically proven 100-day fertility diet to balance hormones, reduce inflammation, improve egg quality and optimise your ability to get and stay pregnant. The Egg Quality Diet is the culmination of what Aimee Raupp has found, during her two decades of clinical practice, to be the most effective nutritional approach to optimising fertility. The book is very insightful. Below are some examples of what Aimee recommends.
Foods to Avoid:
Dairy: Low-fat, non-organic milk, cheese, cottage cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream
Gluten: Avoid unless it’s organic
Nuts: Non-soaked, non-organic nuts. Opt for sprouted or soaked nuts and seeds. No peanuts.
Veggies: Non-organic corn, creamed veggies, canned veggies
Legumes: Non-organic, non-sprouted, and non-soaked legumes
Eggs: Non-organic eggs
Proteins: Commercially/factory-raised animal products, farmed fish
Fruits: Non-organic fruits, canned fruits, processed juices, dried fruits
Oils and Fats: Butter, margarine, soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and dressings made with these ingredients
Drinks: Alcohol, avoid non-organic coffee, sodas, soft drinks
Sugars and Sweeteners: Refined sugar, white/brown sugars, corn syrup, agave, xylitol, cane juice, any sweeteners
Condiments: Ketchup, chutney, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, processed salad dressing, teriyaki sauce
Fertility Food Favourites:
Include these foods regularly in your diet to help maintain optimal reproductive health.
– Bone broth
– Grass-fed organic meat
– Organic eggs
– Wild-caught fish
– Liver and other organ meats
– Leafy greens
– Cruciferous veggies
– Broccoli sprouts
– Onions
– Root veggies
– Mushrooms
– Sweet potatoes and yams
– Fermented food
– Avocado
– Turmeric
– Garlic
– Berries
– Stone fruits
– Green tea/matcha
– Coconut oil/coconut butter
– Dairy-free ghee
– Organic blackstrap molasses
– Royal jelly
– Cordyceps (as a supplement)
– Spirulina (as a supplement)
– Sunflower seeds
– Black sesame seeds
– Flax seeds
– Pumpkin seeds
– Chia seeds
Fertility is not an easy journey. I understand. But the more open and ready you are to discover what lies beneath, the better our chances of achieving a positive outcome.
Silène is an Acupuncturist specialised in Gynaecology & Fertility, Fertility Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner. She has helped many women and men in their fertility journey. If you’d like to discuss how she could help you, please get in touch.