Controlling PCOS: what works for you? What have you tried?

[MiaSparrow]

Hi, I'd love to find out any useful tips or any action you've taken to control PCOS successfully - aside from the pill, which is an absolute no no for me. Blinding migraines (mini pill) and high stroke risk (The Pill). I appear to be hyper sensitive when it comes to synthetic hormones.

And I seem to be from the Victoria Beckham school of PCOS - skinny but with bad skin - so this isn't about losing weight but the hormonal acne on my chin is horrendous and is the bane of my life. It's really getting me down and is a constant battle. I've seen a dermatologist very recently and she told me I'm doing everything right in terms of my skin care routine and not over drying my skin, etc.

But is there anything diet wise you've either introduced or cut out? Herbal teas? Weirds and wonderful foods? What about sugar/caffeine/alcohol intake? Do you find these are a factor in controlling symptoms?

Any advice hugely welcome. I'm at the end of my tether with this. Thanks! xx

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Hi - this thread is a little out of date. We've got some more information on PCOS here. MNHQ

I'm the same, no booze, dairy (allergic anyway) or high sugar food works for me.

You need gentle skin care too, you don't need to go to war with your skin.

Read caroline hirons blog on acne, very good.

I can't have the pill either.

Eating little and often to level blood sugar (I've gone down 3 dress sizes doing this as apposed to 'starving' myself)

Thanks Fluffy! Interesting re anti-histaimes. That's something I've never tried but will now.

Damned I just don't snack, but I'll eat if I'm hungry. And I do eat well when I have a meal. I'm not sure this is a habit I can change but I know that if I drop below a certain weight then the symptoms seem to get much worse. I know that's the opposite of many with PCOS.

What about this whole not drinking out of plastic bottles thing? I've always been a bit sceptical of that one, and I know I need to drink more water so having a bottle on me seems the easiest way to get it in!

Eating a low GI diet, and eating often. This keeps blood sugar levels stable, which keeps insulin levels stable, which helps to bring PCOS under control.

Read the PCOS Handbook by Teresa Cheung and someone else to understand the role of insulin in Syndrome X.

I found low GI or low carbing excellent for regulating periods, also I went to reflexology but that was stress relief / relaxation which I found took the pressure off on the endless counting of cycles, ttc pressure etc. i also tried progesterone cream, seemed to help a bit. Annoyingly, now that I have finished having children, I am regular as clockwork on ovulation and periods!

A friend of mine who has PCOS takes the herb Agnus Castus for regulating hormones & she says it has helped with her raging PMT symptoms. I take it for hormone regulation as I have fibroids. It's pretty well known to be good for "women's things". It can take 3-6mths to see any effect.

Ive started taking vitamin d. Also regular exercise and low carbs.

When I was younger id miss months of periods. When I started exercising they came back more regularly and I actually got pregnant.

I am trying to conceive now so im back in the gym and trying to stop sugar and so much carbs. (Im slim with not the greatest skin).

Mine was kept under control for years by Marvelon, but obv that's a no-no for you. When I had to stop (at 50) I started getting acne back... I don't worry so much about it as when I was younger but I think its been better since I've been exercising regularly (morning Shred in addition to normal walks etc)

At various points in the past when I couldn't be on the pill, ttc etc, some topical antibiotics were helpful (but one, Dalacin IIRC, made it way worse).

I am also a skinny pcos sufferer.

I found a low gi diet and as well as getting rid of my acne and sorting out my cycles, it also helped stop me from fainting from low blood sugar.

It did however take about 4 months for the diet to kick in (then I got pregnant and it all went out the window with morning sickness). However dd is now 16 month and I still have cleanish skin and 30 days cycles