Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women and is thought to affect 1 in every 10 women in the UK. We spoke to acupuncturist and nutritional therapist Eloise Minton about this condition and here are her top tips:
Get the right diagnosis:
PCOS is notoriously hard to pick up. It’s common for women to not realise they have it and getting the right diagnosis can be challenging.
Many women take the pill from a young age and this masks PCOS signs and symptoms. I see many women who’ve come off the pill in their 30s and are ready to try for a baby, only to realise they have this unexpected hurdle in the form of PCOS.
If you have 2 out of these 3 signs, you may be diagnosed with PCOS:
- Irregular or infrequent periods
- Blood tests showing high levels of testosterone
- Polycystic morphology revealed on pelvic ultrasound
PCOS and fertility:
Many women with PCOS have trouble conceiving both naturally and with IVF. It’s a leading cause of fertility problems.
Luckily diet, lifestyle changes and treatments such as acupuncture, massage and reflexology can make a huge difference to managing and in some cases even reversing PCOS.
If you’ve been on the pill for a long time and are trying to conceive, it’s best to wait for three cycles before testing your hormone levels. I advise women to have a scan and blood tests to rule out PCOS if trying to conceive.
What are your favourite self-care tips for women with PCOS?
As PCOS is a ‘damp’ condition from a Chinese medical perspective, it’s important to keep your body and your ‘qi’ moving. So walks, yoga, breathwork, brisk jogging and saunas are all brilliant activities.
Dry skin brushing is also a lovely ritual that you can introduce before your morning shower. It’s so invigorating: it stimulates the lymph, moves qi, sloughs off dead skin cells and helps boost your immune system. It can improve your circulation and quality of skin, giving you a ‘glow’ even in winter.
What is your nutrition advice for women with PCOS?
As PCOS is closely linked to insulin resistance and diabetes, by far the most important thing to focus on is keeping your blood sugar levels balanced throughout the day. This means eating upon waking, avoiding stimulants, eating regular meals, avoiding refined sugars, too many carbs and processed foods in general. A Mediterranean diet and lots of chicken soup is ideal for women with PCOS. And unless it’s the height of summer, avoid salads and cold foods!
Click here to view Eloise’s schedule at triyoga Camden and to book an appointment.
Bio
Eloise Minton BSc (hons) Ac, Lic Ac. is a classically trained acupuncturist and nutritional therapist. She has extensive experience working with Chinese philosophy, acupuncture, naturopathic techniques, somatic inquiry and nutrition to support wellbeing. The quality of her treatments are underpinned by her warmth and sensitivity, giving her patients exceptional and individualised support. For more information, visit www.eloiseminton.co.uk
