Louise Parker - EzineArticles.com Expert Author

[Display Categories] Sort By [Title] [Newest] [Oldest]

How Do I Know If I Have PCOS?
[Health-and-Fitness:Womens-Issues] PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome is a health condition that affects approximately 8 to 10 percent of all women that have the ability to have children, making it one of the most common ailments women face today. So, how do you know if you have PCOS?

PCOS and Fertility
[Health-and-Fitness:Womens-Issues] Unfortunately, one of the most common side effects of living with PCOS is infertility. Since the ovaries are not able to function properly due to a lack of hormones, having consistent and regular periods are uncommon. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to get pregnant and most sufferers with PCOS struggle to fall pregnant without the help of various fertility medications. These medications come in both natural and drug forms and each have their own side effects. As a last resort, in vitro fertilization has been recommended if natural conception isn't possible. The best thing a PCOS sufferer can do is to speak to their doctor about what fertility treatment is best for them.

Benefits of Following a PCOS Diet
[Health-and-Fitness:Womens-Issues] Losing weight and eating right with PCOS can be tough. The PCOS body doesn't process insulin normally, so a controlled diet should be adhered to remain healthy. But if weight loss isn't on your agenda, how can a person with PCOS eat right and how different is that diet than what you're already use to?

Benefits of Exercise on PCOS
[Health-and-Fitness:Womens-Issues] While there is no scientific proof that exercise helps those suffering with PCOS more than it helps the average person, common sense does tell us that since such a large number of women with PCOS are obese exercise is vital to long-term health. Exercise helps the body's cells use sugar for energy, reducing the amount in the blood stream.

Losing Weight With PCOS
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] One of the major obstacles facing women with PCOS is the weight gain that has become synonymous with it. Approximately 50 to 60% of all women with PCOS are classified as obese. One of the major reasons why obesity is common in PCOS sufferers is the body's inability to process insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the conversion of sugar, starches and other food into energy for the body to use or into fat for the body to store. Women with PCOS make too much insulin; therefore a special diet must be adhered to in order to prevent weight gain.