PCOS Help

[<3bis]

I have fairly recently been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries. The treatment is Dianette, which I had previously come off after using it for 7 years as birthcontrol, as it made me mean and moody as hell! So, I am none too pleased (and i doubt my boyfriend is either) to go back to being a tense little person after a year of being pill-free and happy. Is there any kind of supplement I can take to help with the moodiness, or just to help with the pcos in general? My doctor didnt really seem to know much and was keen just to knock out the pills. Thank you very much!

[China Doll]

Hello 3bis, I take dianette for PCOS too but along with that I also control it through diet. Women with PCOS should watch their carbohydrate intake, we don't process it as well so be careful with the stachy foods (says she who ate two yorkies and roast tatties last night!) Lots of water and veggies.

As far as I recall St Johns Wort interferes with the pill so I wouldn't advise that but this may be purely in a contraceptive sense so get that checked.

Lots of water (or in my case squash), salad type stuff and veggies along with a decent amount of fish and protein will help along with a treat every now and then plus a bit of exercise will do wonders to increase your endorpheney thingies and that will also go towards improving your mood.

I did control mine quite well without the pill for about two years but I've recently noticed some of the unwanted symptons have started to show again which is why I've gone back on it.

If you're overweight then losing that can also help control it. (I had to loose nearly four stone a few years back but this was also when I was first diagnosed).

[Goodsoulette]

Out of everything I have tried the only thing I have found to work is weight control. The more weight I put on the worse the symptoms get.
If you follow a diet that works on the GI values of food is best. IF you have to eat a white carb then eat with protein as it slows it down.
Agnus castus is a herbal supplement which is proven to help women with PCOS! Having a baby seemed to work really well for me, but I suppose thats a bit drastic. I never had problems with mood swings (honestly) my big problem was unbelievably easy weight gain and spotty episodes. I've been lucky as I was diagnosed a long time ago when I had pelvic pain because of a twisted cyst, up to that point I would never have known.

There's not much offered to you via western medicine so you might want to consider a complimentary therapy.

[Velvetee]

I have had PCOS for many years and like you, was prescribed Dianette, it made me so depressed, I felt suicidal. I went to see someone privately, after reading online how PCOS was treated in the States using a diabetic drug called Metformin, at the time, it wasn't licensed for the treatment of PCOS here.

I've been taking Metformin for years now and fortunately have had no side effects, I was last taking 500mg daily and that seemed to regulate my periods, but I was also very fit at the time, which helped. Then after meeting my partner, I gained over two stones, so my periods stopped and I'm now taking 1500mg daily to re regulate things.

I'm trying to get my weight back down now, as I know it helps the condition not to be overweight. You should probably be under a specialist at the hospital 3bis, GPs' don't tend to know the ins and outs of conditions. It used to be Gynaecologist who dealt with the condition, but now PCOS is deemed as a hormonal problem, so perhaps ask to be referred to an Endocrinologist.

[wolf63]

Try this link. They might be able to give you some information. I also take Agnus Catus as well as the metformin.

Best wishes.

http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/