PCOS?

Hi, yall! For the past five years, I have consistently put on weight-to the tune of 100 pounds. Finally was diagnosed with PCOS. I dropped 40 pounds while on Rybelsus and anti-androgens, but ended up on oxygen because of exercise hypoxemia. I was consistently told it wasn't the meds, but knew better, so I stopped them about 6 months ago and have zero O2 drops. I have since switched to integrative care and got off all meds (including ones not related to PCOS). Huge win for me. Integrative care doc recommends intermittent fasting and an anti-inflammatory eating style and started me on Inositol. However, I've seen some mixed reviews on IF with PCOS. Any PCOSers here with good results? I have already started--day 2 now. For reference, I will be meeting with doc again next week to talk about specifics. Our first appointment it was mentioned because I naturally always feel sick when eating before lunch time anyway, so we talked about what the research says and how it may be a better fit for me.

Answer

Hi PCOS cyster over here! ❤️ I’ve been doing keto for 5 years now and then added in OMAD for the last 6 months. I also was doing weightlifting for a while there but then the pandemic shifted my workouts quite a lot.

My cycles are pretty much normal, my skin has cleared up almost completely (except zits before my period), and in total, I’ve lost appx 130 lbs. It’s pretty wild because that’s like a whole person hahaha.

IF/OMAD has been great and has gotten me past a very long plateau. I stopped keto for about 3 months and was steadily gaining weight again so I decided to start doing OMAD + Keto to get back on track and it’s been great!

I lose more weight when I add consistent weight training to my keto/OMAD lifestyle, but overall I feel way better doing OMAD than not.

I find that my cycles are the most normal they’ve ever been while doing OMAD and even when I eat higher carb it stays consistently on schedule. I definitely feel more weak and hungry during my period though so I am not extremely tight on OMAD during those 5 days and then I choose to break my fast when I have social obligations with loved ones because eating together is also a really significant part of my culture.

Answer

Hi! I am new here with insulin resistant PCOS and on metformin and ovasitol.

I’ve struggled all my life with weight loss even though I eat mostly healthy (Wholesome foods, gluten free, no soy, mindful of carbs) and workout (peloton). I started 18-6 and am hoping to see some changes.

I just wanted to say hi 👋

Answer

Losing the weight overall may stabilize PCOS/hormone issues:

See this article on PCOS and BMI:

“For PCOS patients, if age is under 25 years, there are no strict requirements on BMI; if age is between 25 and 35 years, the BMI should be controlled under 24 kg/m2; if age is over 35 years, the BMI even should be controlled under 20 kg/m2. For non-PCOS patients, if age is under 25 years, the BMI should be controlled under 26 kg/m2 to obtain better pregnancy rate; if age is over 25 years, the BMI also should be controlled under 26 kg/m2 to reduce abortion rate.”

Answer

Keto, low carb, OMAD, some fasting, check your fasting insulin level. Often PCOS comes with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver. Can be reversed if caught early & correct steps are taken. Weight training can help. AND check your A1C & fasting glucose. Below 5.0 is the best target, at least in the mid 90’s for glucose. If you are developing pre diabetes or metabolic syndrome, you should be able to get Metformin which will also help.