“Four years ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS. I consulted many doctors, but nothing helped. I decided to take things in my own hands. I learnt a lot about nutrition, and this helped me manage my PCOS symptoms. This inspired me to become a PCOS health coach; and today, I can help others to overcome the same battles I once faced.”

-Aastha Verma, PCOS Health Coach and Nutritionist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is a complex endocrine disorder that affects people with uteruses in their reproductive age. Some of its symptoms are infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, growth of facial hair, thinning hair or extreme hair loss from the head, oily skin, and cystic acne.

This condition affects one in ten people who menstruate worldwide but unfortunately, it is speculated that the numbers are much higher than that, as many cases go undiagnosed.

The following is an interview with Aastha Verma, a PCOS health coach and nutritionist.

Interviewer:   What, according to you, are some of the biggest myths about PCOS?

Aastha Verma: I have lost count of the number of times people have told me that they can’t have PCOS because they menstruate every month. One of the biggest myths surrounding PCOS is that if your ultrasound shows no cysts on the ovaries or if you menstruate every month then a person cannot have PCOS. In reality, to diagnose PCOS, one must follow the Rotterdam Criteria, which states that you need to meet 2 out of 3 criteria:

1.   Anovulation, which is a period without ovulation (release of an egg).

2.   Hyperandrogenism or excess androgens which causes acne, facial hair, and androgenic alopecia (extreme hair loss).

3.   Polycystic ovaries that are visible on an ultrasound.

 

Interviewer: Can PCOS be cured with medication?

Aastha Verma: Unfortunately, there is no medication that can cure PCOS as of yet. There are a lot of health quacks who claim that they can ‘fix’ or ‘cure’ PCOS. However, in reality, it can only be managed with a healthy lifestyle.

A lot of people are often prescribed contraceptives or hormonal birth control, but it is important to note that it is just a temporary fix and the PCOS symptoms will return once you stop taking the medication. These pills shut down the natural functioning of your ovaries and produce what is called a withdrawal bleed, which is different from your natural period. Taking these pills also come with a greater risk of diabetes, worsens insulin resistance, and also increases depression and anxiety. I like to think of the pill as a ‘band-aid’ as it only suppresses your symptoms and does not address the root cause.

Interviewer:  What happens if PCOS goes untreated in a patient?

Aastha Verma: If PCOS is left untreated, it can lead to cancer, heart disease, infertility, and diabetes. PCOS can be treated at any age, but like any disorder, the earlier it is treated, the better. 

Interviewer: As a PCOS health coach, what are some of your strategies that you recommend to manage PCOS?

Aastha Verma: While there are different types of PCOS, the most common one is Insulin Resistance, which affects 70-80% of people with PCOS. As a PCOS health coach, I help my clients identify what type of PCOS they may have and provide them with an individual treatment plan. A nutrient rich diet, strength training, sleeping well, and avoiding getting stressed are some of the simplest and underrated ways to alleviate PCOS symptoms. I have helped many clients in the past to reverse their PCOS symptoms naturally and lead healthy lifestyles.

 

To conclude, PCOS is a metabolic disorder with many symptoms that are hard to deal with at first, but with the help of an active and healthy lifestyle, it can easily be managed. The first step would be to get diagnosed and then identify the root cause of your PCOS. The most important tip is being patient and consistent. It takes time to reverse years of hormonal imbalances, but the results are definitely worth it.