Top 10 symptoms of PCOS and 5 ways you can change your world :: Dr. Felice Gersh

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2 What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)? PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women worldwide. Depending on the characteristics used to define the syndrome and the lack of a single, simple definition is one of its most frustrating aspects as many as 25% of all premenopausal women are affected. This means that those of us with PCOS are not alone. We have plenty of company, but like many of us who struggled for years without an answer to the question of what s wrong with me, most women with PCOS are still searching for answers. In fact, less than 25% of women with PCOS have been accurately diagnosed. The rest are still looking for answers, though all too often they end up blaming themselves for symptoms that are largely beyond their control. PCOS, which gets its name from the ring of small cysts that often forms on the rim of the ovaries in women diagnosed with the condition, has several defining characteristics. These include: Irregular or very infrequent periods Hyperandrogenism too high a level of male hormones like testosterone Polycystic ovaries as imaged on ultrasound But of greater concern for PCOS women is how these characteristics show up on a day-today basis what do they look like when you look in the mirror?

3 Top 10 Symptoms of PCOS PCOS is a tricky condition, because it has several contributing causes and no two women have the same set and severity of symptoms. Here are the 10 most common symptoms, and if you recognize yourself in this list and you haven t been diagnosed with PCOS, then it only makes sense to have testing done to confirm or rule out a diagnose. Excessive weight gain Thinning scalp hair Too much hair growth on the face, arms, back, chest, and abdomen Irregular or absent menstrual cycles Fertility issues Acne often deep, cystic acne Fatigue due to sleep issues Mood swings - anxiety, depression Stress Pelvic pain due to intestinal issues such as bloating, gas, acid reflux and Irritable Bowl Syndrome.

4 5 Things You Can Do To Manage Your PCOS

5 01 Daily Movement When it comes to exercise, any physical activity you do is better than none. Your initial goal should be 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking. Resistance exercise, which is equally important, comes later first things first!

6 02 Manage Your Stress Levels Calm your sympathetic nervous system, which isn t very sympathetic at all and leads to heightened activity and anxiety. I highly recommend acupuncture, meditation, massage therapy, aromatherapy, guided imagery, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other stress-reducing techniques.

7 03 Get More Sleep Sleep is particularly important for us PCOS women, because lack of it can worsen our symptoms. Unaddressed sleep apnea (when you stop and restart breathing while still asleep) can lead to hypertension and metabolic function problems that spiral out of control. Some of my favorite treatments for sleep problems include natural sleep-promoting herbs such as Valerian Root, Lemon Balm Tea, Kava, Holy Basil and Poppy Seed. I also highly recommend grounding (also referred to as Earthing) and breathing exercises as a way to drain tension and relax prior to hitting the pillows.

8 04 Change Your Diet Because of your PCOS, you cannot tolerate added sugars, bad fats, or toxic chemical additives. Just a few bites can send your inflammation levels and the number on your scale soaring. You need to treat your reaction to these foods as an allergy and steer clear of them completely. You ll do much better if you commit to eating whole foods that are as close to 100% organic as is possible. In the beginning, you ll also benefit from eating a vegan diet that eliminates animal-based fats and proteins.

9 05 Get A Top Notch Team Assembling a team you can trust is the best way to get you on track to feeling better quickly. You ll want to look for an Ob/Gyn that has experience in treating PCOS and is up to date with the latest research. It s also important to have other members on your team that can help in your healing process. Your best bet is to look for an experienced integrated medical practice with programs designed to treat PCOS.

10 Felice L. Gersh, M.D. is that rare combination of a Board-Certified OB/GYN who is also fellowship trained in Integrative Medicine. She received her undergraduate education at Princeton University, went to Medical school at the University of Southern California, did her OB/GYN residency training program at Kaiser Hospital in Hollywood, and graduated from the prestigious Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona School of Medicine. About Dr. Felice Gersh & Integrative Medical Group of Irvine Dr. Gersh is the founder and medical director of a unique holistic, healthcare facility, the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, a center which focuses on the treatment of patients with complex medical problems. Chief among these is PCOS, which is of intense personal interest to Dr. Gersh since she deals with this condition herself on a day-to-day basis and has seen first-hand how applying the latest therapies can dramatically reduce symptoms and improve your life. Recognizing that no one doctor has all the medical skills needed to treat every aspect of PCOS, she has assembled a close-knit team comprised of several highly respected and experienced naturopathic doctors, nutrition and fitness experts, a massage therapist, and an aesthetician. Directed and coordinated by Dr. Gersh, a widely-respected thought leader and national speaker on the topic of PCOS, our team takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to this complex problem. We utilize herbal formulations that are proven to remedy both symptoms and their underlying causes, while employing nutritional and fitness programs that improve overall health. In addition, we offer a variety of other integrative treatments that can be matched to other aspects of your condition, including Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, essential oils, guided imagery, aesthetics, and therapeutic massage. While pharmaceuticals may be a part of your treatment plan, they are never the sole focus or the first choice.