In this video Dr John Eden of UNSW discusses the problem of PCOS and Hirsutism, or excess body hair, and how it can be treated:

A number of people have asked me how things have been going over the past couple of weeks both by email and on Twitter and I have been keeping fairly quiet. Mainly because I have been feeling quite low and fed-up, and hate to share negativity with others.

But then I read Jennifer’s comment on the Welcome to PCOS Matters post, and realised it was wrong of me to disguise some areas of my life with PCOS just because I didn’t want to share my grumpiness!

Over the past few weeks I have been feeling a mixture of unhappiness, grumpiness and anger at different times. I can explain it in my head – it’s prolonged PMT (I am WELL overdue for my period), I feel heavy and haven’t lost any more weight (again due to my delayed period, I’m sure), I have a number of other stresses in my life at the moment (work and money), I fell and badly sprained my ankle last week so have had some pain and mobility problems, and my hormones are generally having a crazy ole party!

It doesn’t matter what your head tells you about WHY you feel the way you do. Unfortunately, no amount of logical reasoning can change the way you actually FEEL.

In Jennifer’s comment she wrote about her daughter trying to commit suicide due to depression caused by undiagnosed PCOS. Now, I don’t even begin to suggest that what I have been going through is depression – I have had experience of real depression in the past and it is an overwhelming dark pit of despair that I never want to have to re-visit. But it is important to understand where all these feelings are coming from and recognise the signs so you can get the help you need.

PCOS and depression are strongly linked. In fact, depression is a common symptom of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome for a number of reasons:

• slightly elevated testosterone levels have been proved to be connected with extreme cases of depression (as opposed to extreme levels – high or low) which we see in PCOS
• depression is also linked to Insulin Resistance and underactive thyroid conditions – both common among PCOS sufferers
• problems associated with PCOS such as fertility issues, excess hair, weight and acne can also play a huge role in how you feel

What Can You Do To Help Avoid PCOS Depression?

There are a number of natural methods you can use to help elevate your mood and try to maintain an “even keel”:

• diet plays a huge part in all aspects of PCOS. While you may think chocolate and pizza will make you feel better, deep down you know that isn’t true. You should aim to eat plenty of fresh vegetables – especially green leafy vegetables – and nuts and seeds.
• you may have a vitmain B deficiency (especially vitamin B6 and Folic Acid) so eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin B such as green leafy vegetables, avocado, Brazil nuts, oats and barley
• Avoid processed sugars, caffeine and alcohol, all of which will worsen your mood
• Take plenty of exercise - you may not like exercise but it is a natural mood lifter
• Take a good Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplement which aids normal brain function
• Increase your natural magnesium intake from foods such as legumes, whole grains, nuts and leafy green veg, as magnesium is required to maintain your serotonin levels (a hormone vital for mood regulation)
• Consider taking a St John’s Wort supplement – a natural remedy that has been proven to aid mild to moderate depression. BUT, please consult your doctor before taking as St John’s Wort can affect the efficacy of other drugs and is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

However, if you feel you are spiralling into the kind of depression that seems inescapable, please seek help immediately.  If your doctor is dismissive, then seek a second opinion or a referral. Do not let it drag on. Too often we listen to what our heads tell us about WHY we are feeling depressed and low but knowing the WHY does not solve the problem. Telling yourself to “buck up – it’s just the PCOS” is not a solution. Listen to what your body and your emotions are telling you and respond accordingly.

The offending ankle!

If you have PCOS you will often hear that it is closely linked to Insulin Resistance. But just what is Insulin Resistance, and why might you be affected?

Insulin is a hormone which is vital to the body’s natural processes because it regulates our glucose levels. Every time we eat, the pancreas releases insulin to send a message to your body’s cells to tell them to use the glucose (sugar) that has been released into the bloodstream. This glucose is then used by the cells for energy. Any glucose that isn’t used immediately will be stored as glycogen which the cells can break down for further energy when you are not eating. If the glucose stays in the blood it prevents parts of the body from getting the necessary energy it needs to function and can lead to all sorts of health problems.

Insulin is also responsible for preventing the liver from releasing triglycerides (a fat) into the bloodstream after eating, which again is dangerous if it stays in the blood for too long, resulting in high cholesterol and an increased risk of heart problems and strokes.

Insulin Resistance is exactly what the name suggests. The cells of the body become more and more resistant to insulin with prolonged exposure, usually starting with the liver and then muscle tissue. The receptors in cells are “shut down” to avoid over exposure to the insulin but the pancreas responds by creating even more insulin to compensate. Over time the pancreas cannot keep up this level of insulin production leading to higher blood sugar levels which will eventually lead to Type II diabetes.

Research has shown that the modern diet plays a large role in creating insulin resistance and that it is becoming an increasing problem in our populations due to diets high in carbohydrate with lots of sugar (especially high fructose corn syrup, which is used in many processed foods).

For PCOS sufferers, research is still ongoing but it is now thought that insulin resistance may be a root cause of PCOS rather than a symptom. The excess insulin causes the ovaries to produce more testosterone and upsets the balance between male and female hormones in the body. This is turn prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs, causes an increase in weight problems and creates the cystic follicles in the ovaries that are characteristic of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It also means that PCOS sufferers are at a higher risk of Type II Diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

The good news is that there are practical measures you can take to reverse the effects of the Insulin Resistance and prevent it leading to more serious diseases. We will explore some of these in future posts but they include following a low-gi or low-carb diet, and exercise.

Acne is a symptom of PCOS that can really put a dent in your self esteem. As with most symptoms of PCOS, the problem lessens with the treatment of the syndrome as a whole, but while you are being treated whether through medical or natural remedies there are some methods you can use to alleviate your acne.

Acne treatments have come a long way over the years. Once limited to a few options that were often ineffective, acne sufferers now have numerous choices. Some of these can be obtained from the family doctor, some require a dermatologist’s expertise, and some can be purchased at your local store or health shop. Here are six of the most popular acne treatments available:

Retin-A

Those who primarily suffer from persistent blackheads and whiteheads can often benefit from Retin-A. Retin-A is derived from Vitamin A and promotes the shedding of material that clogs pores and causes blackheads and whiteheads.

Retin-A often causes irritated and flaky skin, and it takes several weeks before patients can see a difference. Those using the drug are advised to use a moisturizer regularly and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Antibiotics

Some doctors and dermatologists begin treating acne with antibiotics. These are either taken orally or applied topically. The antibiotics work by decreasing the number of acne-causing bacteria in the skin and reducing the amount of fatty acids in the sebum.

The downside to antibiotics is that they can also kill the good bacteria that our bodies need to stay healthy. They are also associated with the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These problems are less prevalent with topical antibiotics than with oral ones.

Photodynamic Therapy

One of the newer techniques in acne treatment is photodynamic therapy, also known as blue light therapy. Previously used to treat cancer and other diseases and ailments, it has been found to be an effective alternative to systemic antibiotics in the treatment of moderate to severe acne.

Photodynamic therapy is conducted as a series of three to five treatments, with two to four weeks between treatments. It is not usually covered by medical insurance.

Tea Tree Oil

One of the most effective home remedies for acne is tea tree oil. It is used by diluting and dabbing it directly onto acne lesions. Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial properties, and that is thought to be the reason why it is so effective against acne.

Garlic

Garlic is another natural antibiotic, and it can be used in a variety of ways against acne. You can cleanse the skin with a solution of one part garlic juice to three parts water, rub raw garlic on lesions, or take it internally. The key is to use fresh garlic, because it loses its effectiveness a short time after it is skinned. Of course, the smell can be difficult to live with!

Vitamins

Vitamins are good for overall health, and they can be a powerful weapon in the fight against acne. B Vitamins are especially beneficial, because they fight acne in several different ways, along with vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals chromium and zinc. All these vitamins and minerals are valuable for dealing with your PCOS as a whole. For example, chromium helps to regulate your blood sugar levels and reduce your sugar cravings.

All there are vitamins available in supplements you can buy from health food stores, but the best way to get these vitamins is to include them in your diet.

There are more options for acne sufferers than ever before. Whether you prefer traditional treatments, non-drug therapy or natural remedies, acne can be treated effectively while dealing with your PCOS as a whole.

For most women with PCOS, having facial hair (and more than most other women) is a fact of life which, unfortunately, we cannot avoid. Those dark hairs seem to crop up in places you’d least expect and grow back far too rapidly. To alleviate the pain of having them professionally removed, here are some tips for do it yourself facial hair removal.

While most of us use tweezers to remove facial hair around the eyebrows, some use this implement to remove hairs on the upper lip and under the chin as well. Painful? Yes. But the hairs grow back more slowly because you are plucking out the root as well.

If your hair is dark in nature, and you would rather not use tweezers, an excellent method is to use crème bleach. This lightens excess dark hair and lasts quite a long time. In fact, it is a great alternative to plucking a sensitive face.

Another method commonly used is waxing. While it is a bit painful, it is an effective way to remove hairs from the upper lip and/or facial area. Home waxing kits are available in abundance; and it should be noted, that most home kits use cold wax to prevent burning.

You can also try sugaring or a sugar wax. The difference between a sugar wax and a regular wax is that the sugar is water-soluble therefore hairs are removed easier by simply using water.

Another popular way of removing hair is by using a facial hair removal cream. This will not last as long as waxing or plucking but is pain-free and effective, but be sure to spot test the cream beforehand to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction.

Whether you pluck, bleach, or wax, removing facial hair is a necessary evil. Be sure to use the best method your type of skin, sensitivity, and facial hair. Either way, while it has to be done, the process should be as painless as possible.

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