If you are diagnosed with PCOS, proper treatment can help effectively manage the symptoms. Without compromising your health, you should first adjust your lifestyle in the following ways:

1. Change Your Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is the most important factor in reducing the health risks associated with PCOS. Maintaining a healthy weight and increasing daily physical activity are the two most crucial steps.
About 75% of women with PCOS are overweight, and 50% meet the criteria for obesity. Here’s an important fact: by losing just 5%-10% of body weight, overweight women with PCOS can experience significant improvement in symptoms. Studies have shown that even a small weight loss can reduce insulin resistance by 50%, restore ovulation, improve fertility, and enhance overall comfort. Weight management is a necessary step for any woman planning to conceive, and it is even more crucial for women with PCOS.

2. Improve Insulin Sensitivity and Lower Blood Sugar
Research suggests that L-arginine hydrochloride, L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, and other supplements can improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Additionally, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, D-chiro-inositol, and plant extracts such as cinnamon bark and banaba leaf have been found to lower blood sugar levels. These supplements can help restore ovulation and enhance fertility in women with PCOS.
Medications such as metformin, commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, can help increase the body’s insulin sensitivity, enabling it to respond better to normal levels of insulin. However, some studies indicate that elevated homocysteine levels in women with PCOS are linked to pregnancy complications, and metformin may raise homocysteine levels. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor for proper evaluation before using this medication.

3. Hormonal Treatments

  • Progesterone
    In women with PCOS, taking progesterone in the later stages of the menstrual cycle can help transition the uterine lining to the secretory phase, inducing menstruation.
  • Birth Control Pills
    Oral contraceptives can lower and regulate hormone levels, leading to more regular periods. Some birth control pills can also reduce androgen levels, alleviating symptoms like excess hair growth and acne.

4. Anti-Androgen Medications
There are limited options for anti-androgen medications compared to other treatments. Some birth control pills, when used long-term, can block androgen effects and reduce symptoms like acne, excess hair, and hair loss, making them a good option. However, if you want to conceive, taking birth control pills long-term is counterproductive. Fortunately, some compounds that lower blood sugar also have anti-androgen effects, and doctors can prescribe these to manage androgen levels while maintaining fertility.

5. Emotional Well-Being
Dealing with the various issues PCOS brings can be difficult for many women. Studies show that women with PCOS experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to the general population. Many women with PCOS suffer from anxiety and/or depression, and you are not alone on this journey.
Lack of understanding about PCOS, low self-confidence, difficulty following medical advice, and the desire to conceive can all contribute to emotional and health decline. Some women may also develop low self-esteem due to weight gain or excess hair growth, which affects body image.
Mental health struggles can, in turn, make it harder to follow a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, it is important to learn about PCOS. Although it cannot be cured, it can be managed so that it has little impact on your health. If you take care of yourself, you may have more egg cells than most people, and your menopause may come later than average.
Remember: if you have PCOS, achieving beauty and longevity requires more effort than for the average person!