Top tips for living with PCOS?

[Ferriting]

This is the year I stop ignoring my PCOS symptoms, and I want to make some changes.

Family is complete so I'm not concerned with the fertility side, but I'd like to balance my hormones better. Worst symptoms are anxiety and weight gain. I'm also just 40, in case that's relevant.

Does anyone have any particular method, tip or resource that they could share? Thanks!

Hey! With PCOS it varies so much! When I first found out, I was young and my facial hair was mortifying, so I did research and realised my symptoms (weight, period, hair) it was all linked to my sugar levels. I upped the exercise and went keto. Strictly no carbs after a long period of fast (like breakfast) as you’re more susceptible to a sugar surge. It helped a lot. Weight loss became easier, everything did! I’m not a health care professional and just because it worked for me may not mean it’ll work for you!

The only thing I've found to help my PCOS symptoms was metformin. It's prescribed off-label for PCOS though so some GPs aren't keen to prescribe it. When I had IVF our consultant was mad on people with PCOS taking metformin, so we started then and paid privately, then eventually made a case to my GP about a year later and now I get it on the NHS.

Since I've been on it I can lose weight (still slowly, but it's possible!), my periods are regular, my moods are better.

ZMA capsules from eBay (magnesium/zinc & B6) 10k steps a day. High protein diet. Eating regular. Exercise more. A shot each morning of lemon juice/cayenne pepper & olive oil.

Sounds mad but not only did I balance my hormones and lose weight, I got pregnancy after 9 years of secondary infertility and my periods came back!