Posted by Ellen Bender on February 25, 19100 at 10:56:18:
In Reply to: I'm diagnosed with PCOS posted by Deanna Drapeau on February 23, 19100 at 22:24:41:
You raise a few issues in your post. You say that you were recently diagnosed with PCOS and that your doctor put you on ortho tricyclin and recommended that you lose weight. Those are not bad pieces of advice. Ortho tricyclin may not be a bad choice for birth control for a woman with pcos because it can help to keep the acne under control though there is some controversy about what is the best BCP for women with PCOS. And a weight loss of even 5 to 10% can improve symptoms. Many women with PCOS have found it easier to lose weight on a high protein/low carb diet such as the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet, the Zone or Atkins. And, of course, exercise is important but with two toddlers you probably don't have time for a formal exercise program. But you are correct that insulin plays a role in PCOS. Though not all women with PCOS have insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance, many do. That is why it is important that your doctor test your fasting glucose and insulin levels, particularly if you had such severe gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. well my doctors didnt tell me anything about that. You may also want to see a doctor who focuses on PCOS in his or her practice. Typically, this would be a reproductive endocrinologist or a medical endocrinologist. They often are affiliated with university medical centers. Check out our live PCOS chat on March 21st with Dr. Richard Grazi of Brooklyn IVF.