What do your health goals look like? You probably want to stay healthy, independent, and active throughout your life. You may also have reproductive health goals related to the family you’d like to build.
If you’re living with an underlying health condition like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you face some unique challenges along the way. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on your goals, but you may need to adjust your lifestyle after receiving your diagnosis.
There isn’t a cure for PCOS, but with the right management, the negative impact on your life decreases. PCOS affects your reproductive health and fertility and can also harm your health and wellness more broadly. So, what type of lifestyle should you lead after receiving a PCOS diagnosis?
You’re not alone in determining the right answers. Experienced OB/GYN and women's health provider, Dr. Leonardo A. Longoria, and our team at Longoria OBGYN in El Paso, Texas, offer ongoing care and treatment for new and existing patients with PCOS.
In recognition of PCOS Awareness Month, Dr. Longoria wants you to know more about these five key lifestyle changes and strategies for thriving with PCOS.
PCOS predisposes you to gain weight, but with a healthy, low-calorie diet, you can turn the connection between PCOS and body weight around and use it to your advantage. If you can lose even 5% of your body weight, your condition may improve.
For example, medications related to your treatment may start to work better for you at a lower body weight. Losing weight also improves your chances of becoming pregnant if you’re experiencing PCOS-related infertility.
As part of your healthy PCOS lifestyle, make regular exercise and physical activity a cornerstone. This helps with weight loss and improves your insulin function, another common problem for women with PCOS. Staying fit and active improves your self-esteem and can relieve depression and other mental health co-morbidities.
PCOS can cause problems with the way your body produces and uses the hormone insulin. If you have PCOS, regularly check your glucose tolerance levels. You may also benefit from taking the drug metformin, also used to treat diabetes, to manage your insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.
People living with PCOS have an elevated risk of high blood pressure, medically known as hypertension. You can check your blood pressure at home, creating a record of your readings over time, so you can spot any concerning trends early. Let Dr. Longoria know if you’re concerned about developing high blood pressure due to PCOS.
PCOS doesn’t only affect you physically. Dealing with irregular menstrual periods, unwanted body hair growth, weight gain tendencies, and fertility troubles taxes your mental health.
PCOS sufferers have a heightened risk of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Regular screenings and taking your mental health and wellness seriously can help you avoid sinking into depression and are a necessary part of your PCOS management.
For comprehensive support for PCOS, contact Longoria OBYGN today. Schedule a consultation by calling our office or booking online.
