Should I take Birth Control Pills to Combat PCOS?

Many doctors when faced with patients who have PCOS often prescribe oral contraceptives to help mitigate some of the symptoms such as acne, irregular or non existent periods, and oily skin. There has been a lot of recent debate over whether is the best option to manage the symptoms with birth control pills rather than treat the underlying cause. While birth control pills on the surface may mask and seem to make the symptoms of PCOS go away in many patients, the underlying issues of insulin resistance still remain and in some cases get worse.

Birth control pills are artificial hormones that merely regulate the menstrual cycle. Birth control pills do not treat and may even exacerbate the underlying cause of PCOS, insulin resistance. Without addressing the dangerous issue of how your body is over- producing insulin and only treating the surface symptoms women can develop even bigger problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infertility and more. Birth control pills do however mask the symptoms of PCOS very well , so well in many cases that women would prefer to ignore the potentially life threatening issues that can arrise from insulin resistance, rather than deal with embarassing acne, weight gain, excessive oilyness, hair loss and facial hair growth.

When the contraceptives are discontinued, PCOS symptoms will persist and sometimes even worsen as the body tries to regulate hormones on it’s own.

New research published in the journal Fertility and Sterility also shows that taking the artificial horomones in birth control pills may actually make insulin resistance worse making symptoms of PCOS more pronounced and the risk of major heath complications even greater.

So the question becomes, What do women with PCOS do to alleviate the symptoms of PCOS while at the same time addressing the underlying cause of PCOS, insulin resistance.

This is not an easy answer! PCOS is a set of conditions that define the syndrome. Not every woman has the same set of symptoms, some have all, some have only a few but all have PCOS. To treat it requires patience, understanding and dedication. Most times a mulit-faceted approach is the best approach to treating your system and restoring health. Patients need to remember that there is no instant pill to make the symptoms go away. Remember it took a long time to develop PCOS and insulin resistance, it will likely take a dedicated long term approach to assist your body in healing and correcting the imbalance of PCOS.

Many women with PCOS are overweight. This is a catch-22, they are overweight because they have PCOS and conversely they have PCOS because they are overweight. While it is harder for women with PCOS to lose weight most experts recommend a whole foods diet low in carbohydrates, refined sugar, and free from preservatives, pesticides and chemicals. Women with PCOS should be eating as few carbohydrates as possible to prevent the body from secreting more insulin into the blood. Chemicals such as caffeine should also be avoided as they stimulate an increase in insulin as well. Following a balanced diet high in fiber, vegetables, and lean meats is the best way you can fight PCOS with your diet.

By exercising frequently at least 4 times a week for about 30 minutes-1 hour daily, you can help combat your PCOS. Not only will regular exercise help you battle the bulge, but it will also give you more energy and decrease feelings of depression that can accompany PCOS. Again, exercising with PCOS is a catch-22, when you are low in energy it is harder to excercise, and exercise can also be exhausing, however with proper execution, exercise can unleash a new store of energy to get you through your day.

Supplementing your diet with vitamins and nutritional supplements is also great way to support your body in it’s effort to restore balance and wellness. Studies have proven that spices, herbs and vitamins have positive effects on the way your organs, glands and body systems interact with eachother. Natural remedies such as saw palmetto, cinnamon, fish oil, vitamin b and more should be researched and taken daily to promote optimal health for PCOS.

While diet, exercise, nutrition and weight loss are key factors in reversing your condition, it is understandable to want a more immediate solution to the annoying and sometimes embarassing symptoms that most PCOS women suffer from. If acne is bringing you down, see your dermatologist they can prescribe prescription acne creams that can reduce the appearance of problem blemishes and oilyness. For Hair removal, laser technology gets better and less expensive every year. In addition to laser hair removal, electroloyisis has been removing hair effectively and permanently for many years and is often times a cheaper, more effective solution to unwanted facial hair.

Remember again, it took years to develop your PCOS, give your body a fighting chance to restore balance by treating yourself with thoughful care of what you put into it. If you are frustrated and need some support, try connecting with other women who have PCOS. Check this page out to find a number of great PCOS support resources.