December 26th, 2007
by Angi Ingalls
PCOS in ConnecTion
Guest PCOS writer
“Ya, right! I am too young to have heart problems” says the twenty-five-year-old patient.
Have you or someone you know had this train of thought? I’m sure many women who hear about the increased risk of heart disease with PCOS and diabetes think they won’t be affected. Either because they are ‘too young’ or they think it’s ‘only a man’s disease’.
Heart disease can affect any woman with PCOS, pre-diabetes or diabetes at any age, especially when their disease has not been treated or managed.
It may surprise you, but I know of a woman that died at the age of 28 in 2004 due to a heart attack. She had only known about her PCOS for a little over a year. Unfortunately, her PCOS was not managed well due to lack of information and insufficient medical care, although her desire to help herself was strong. I had only known her a few weeks when I heard of her death from her sister. I was trying to get her the right information and a more suitable doctor to help her, but for her, it wasn’t soon enough.
But it’s not too late for you.
With proper diet, exercise and realization of your risks, you can help reduce your risk-factors which may prevent heart disease. The goal is to keep our blood and heart healthy. In addition, high insulin, glucose and bad fat levels can interrupt the chemical process that tells our arteries how to function. Interruption of the arteries function and raised blood pressure, a heart attack is immanent.
Exercise is very important to keep the blood flow running and burn fat. Exercise increases the amount of oxygen to the heart muscle and when combined with a healthy diet can decrease the formation of plaques that can block the arteries. The other benefit in exercise is it lowers the risk of high blood pressure because it increases circulation which makes your heart stronger and promotes artery-health and decreasing insulin and glucose levels but increasing good cholesterol.
Eating well by reducing the consumption of refined-sugar and high-fat foods helps reduce damage to the arteries thus reducing the risk of heart damage.
Have you been diagnosed with heart disease?
RESOURCES:
http://www.4women.gov/faq/heartdis.htm
http://www.ediets.com/news/printArticle.cfm?cid=1&cmi=2425014
Angi Ingalls; PCOS in ConnecTion
Guest PCOS writer
pcosinct@yahoo.com
Educator for over 18 years
Diagnosed in 1985 at 12, living with PCOS since 1981
www.pcos.insulitelabs.com
December 25th, 2007
by Angi Ingalls
PCOS in ConnecTion
We, as a community, often fall too easily into believing our doctors are pedestal-bound. When did we put so much faith into our medical community and forget that they are human as we are? They make the same mistakes, forget just as we do and can often say the same ignorant remarks as anyone.
If I had a penny for every inadequate, misinformed, sadistic, or inconsiderate comment made by a medical professional to a patient, we may have all the money needed for a diabetes-cure; I am sure of it.
I remember several years ago a woman told me her doctor dismissed PCOS simply because she did not suffer from polycystic ovaries. This came without any blood work. His sole basis was on an ultrasound. Case closed. This woman went two extra years without answers or treatments because her gynecologist didn’t do his homework. I am happy to say; after our discussion and connecting with the doctor listed in her area from the PCOSA, she got her diagnosis, treatment and ultimately a successful pregnancy.
When I was very young I can remember crying many times after visits with doctors because of the cold-hearted words that came from their mouths. I have heard “you’re fat, stop eating so much macaroni and cheese” after a gloveless vaginal exam, “lose the weight and you will be normal”, and even “you’ll never be a mother because you’re too fat and ignorant to stop eating all the crap in your life”. I have even had a nurse say to me “Ya know, you could get pregnant if you didn’t fool yourself into thinking you aren’t responsible for your infertility”. Yes, my mouth dropped too,
What kind of impact do you think this behavior has on a patient, especially one with low self-esteem? For me, my depression increased, my self-worth diminished, I stopped caring about my appearance or the foods I ate and I wanted to leave my then-husband thinking he could do better. My low self-esteem affected every part of my life from working to relationships to not wanting to leave my yard.
Since those days I have become more aware of the truth about prediabetes and my self-worth.
I’m interested in hearing your experiences. By expressing yourself here you could help another patient who may be going through the same thing and help prevent some of the struggles we have had to endure.
Angi Ingalls; PCOS in ConnecTion
Guest PCOS writer
pcosinct@yahoo.com
Educator for over 18 years
Diagnosed in 1985 at 12, living with PCOS since 1981
December 24th, 2007
By Dr. Andrea Lee
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a major cause of infertility. A symptom of the condition, often referred to as polycystic ovaries, can be nine or fewer menstrual cycles per year. This is the result of the ovaries failing to produce hormones that keep the menstrual cycle regular. When women with PCOS have infrequent or no ovulation, they may be unable to become pregnant. Many women suffering from PCOS seek fertility treatment.
Most heterosexual women with PCOS try Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) before proceeding to in vitro fertilization (IFV). ART does not have the risks or the costs of IVF. Since the main reason women with PCOS have trouble conceiving is erratic menstrual cycles, ovulation induction is the most common ART method used.
Ovulation induction often involves taking Clomid, one of the most popular fertility drugs prescribed, to encourage ovulation by stimulating ovary follicles. Women with PCOS may be all too familiar with Clomid side-effects: mood swings, hot flashes and headaches and may choose an alternative fertility drug after several unsuccessful cycles, or move on to IVF.
Artificial insemination (AI), another form Assisted Reproductive Therapy, involves the injection of sperm, either from a known donor (this person may be the woman’s unmarried partner, a friend or even family member of the non-biological partner) or from a donor bank, directly into the cervix or uterus. AI is not typically used in heterosexual couples where PCOS is the only obstacle to conception. AI is a common treatment when the male has a low sperm count or the female suffers from endometriosis.
Because PCOS seems to be more prevalent among lesbians, female couples opting for a combination of ART and artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization over adoption may be more likely to face the challenges of conceiving with PCOS. And with the recent “Gayby Boom,” the trend of lesbians and gays becoming parents, the number of lesbians undergoing ART and IVF is on the rise.
“Each year we’re seeing an annual increase of about 50 percent in the number of same-sex couples coming to us for IVF to have their children and build their families,” said Dr. Samuel Pang, Medical Director of the Reproductive Science Center of New England.
In vitro fertilization is a complex, expensive procedure used as a last resort when all other methods of assisted conception have failed. One cycle of IVF may cost as much as $12,000. Risks include: Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb), multiple pregnancy, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and the possibility of increased risk for ovarian cancer. IFV success rates vary from clinic to clinic. The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), representing over 85% of ART clinics in the United States, provides national statistics of member clinics.
Before undergoing ART, women with PCOS may consider non-pharmaceutical methods to achieve conception. One of the underlying causes of PCOS is insulin resistance, and when this condition is reversed natural conception may be achieved. Non-pharmaceutical methods include: a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, with lots of green vegetables and fruits, specific exercises to increase insulin sensitivity, nutraceuticals (vitamins, minerals and herbs that are disease specific) to balance blood sugar or a complete system that incorporates all of these elements.
You Tube Video of a Woman suffering from PCOS tells her story of conceiving naturally, after being told by doctors she would never be able to conceive naturally. She became pregnant after using a systematic approach to reverse insulin resistance and PCOS symptoms.
References
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
2004 Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates
American Reproductive Medical Society
Fertility and Sterility
November 2007 | Vol. 88, No. 5
Dr. Andrea Lee is a Naturopathic Doctor practicing at Arizona Advanced Medicine
http://www.azadvancedmed.com/ in Scottsdale, where she treats a number of women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) among other conditions. As a member of Insulite Laboratories’ Medical & Advisory team www.pcos.insulitelabs.com, Dr. Lee provides guidance and coaching to individuals who contact the Insulite Support Network, including those using the various Insulite Systems.
Prior to attending Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Lee worked as a senior research study associate and volunteered with a breast cancer support group in Oklahoma City, OK. Her Bachelor’s degree is from the University of Alaska where she studied Psychology and Exercise Science.
December 20th, 2007
by Angi Ingalls
PCOS in ConnecTion
“When we open up about PCOS, we help ourselves and others along the way.”
“I haven’t had a period in almost a year and I gained like 30 pounds in the last six months. What’s wrong with me?”
“You have PCOS. Are you trying for a baby?,” asks the doctor.
“No, not now,” she replies.
“Ok, well here’s some birth control pills, quit eating junk food and lose that weight. Come back to see me when you want a baby,” he says.
Sound familiar?
With a name like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (abbreviated into ‘PCOS’) and the way many doctors treat the disease it is hard for many people to understand that PCOS is not a reproductive affliction. In fact, it is an endocrine and metabolic disease. For many women the common side effects result in reproductive disorder; although some women do not have issues with reproduction at all.
Often times, PCOS doesn’t come to light until a woman has issues with conception or problems with menstrual cycles. Even then, she is usually made to feel like the disease is not that health-threatening. A doctor can indicate to the patient that it is only a concern when she wants to conceive and until then a simple pill (i.e. birth control – which has its own risk factors) will rectify the problem until conception is desired.
This is definitely not the case. In fact, PCOS affects all aspects of our lives: general health, increased health risks, mental stability, relationships, employment, desires, etc. The risk is passed on to next generations as well.
Healthcare professionals need to realize and recognize that this is a very real disease. PCOS is not isolated to reproduction and our long term health is in jeopardy if left unaddressed. It is this reason that we must take responsibility for our own health and become our own “doctor.”
What can you do to help?
1) Bring your concerns and questions to your doctors. Remember the saying “no question is dumb?” Same rules apply.
2) Don’t settle. When a doctor gives you information, use it as a reference for more research. Take it to the web or another doctor to get more insight. Then return with the information in hand.
3) Stand up for yourself. If you feel like you are not being heard, being dismisses or shown no interest in helping, find a new doctor. Let your doctor know why too. It could help another patient.
4) Network. Reach out to others. You never know if the person you are speaking with or someone they know might also suffer from PCOS.You could make a friend and maybe they know of a PCOS-knowledgeable doctor
5) Talk about it. If you are comfortable enough, discuss it with your family, friends or women at your church or school. Find a support group in your area – it doesn’t have to be a PCOS support group, it could be for women, health issues, infertility (if you are trying), natural living, etc.
When we open up about PCOS, we help ourselves and others along the way.
Angi Ingalls; PCOS in ConnecTion
Guest PCOS writer
pcosinct@yahoo.com
Educator for over 18 years
Diagnosed in 1985 at 12, living with PCOS since 1981
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article and the Insulite Labs website is for the sole purpose of being informative. Information obtained is not and should not be used or relied upon as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician, nurse or other qualified health care provider before you undergo any treatment, take any medication, supplements or other nutritional support, or for answers to any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
