I had a inbox on facebook from a friend asking me if i'd ever come across 'Oil Pulling'.
I'd never heard of it till then so ive spent an hour reading up on it.
I found this link about it; http://oilpulling.com/FAQ.htm
It sounds very interesting, from what i can gather, it is also known as Oil Swishing, its an alterntive medicine that Originated in India, it can be used to reduce enamel wear from stomach acid from vomiting. one study i have read about it showed that there was a remarkable reduction in bacteria after 2 weeks use.
This process makes oil thoroughly mixed with saliva. As the process continues, the oil gets thinner and white. First, the oil is put in the mouth, with chin tilted up, and slowly swished, sucked, chomped and pulled through the teeth. Then, the oil changes from yellow and oily consistency to a thick viscous consistency. A second round of oil pulling may be done with fresh oil for further cleansing. The oral cavity is then thoroughly rinsed and washed with normal tap water and fingers or tooth brush. This procedure is typically performed daily.
The oils that can be used are; seseme oil and sunflower oil, they are the two that are highly recomended. Coconut oil can also be used.
Heres aYoutube video ive found on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQe8etKJ9a4
So how will it help with PCOS?... Its all about the Detox, it can help with hormones, dry skin, and even those cramps and Insulin resistance.
Hope this has helped to explain it :)
Nadine xx
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Saturday, 4 February 2012
PCOS FAQ...
Theres often alot of questions that need to be answered when it comes to PCOS, from the obvious to the not so... i hope i can answer some of your questions.
So here it goes...
What are the symptoms of PCOS and how do they relate to IR (Insulin Resistance).
The symptoms vary from woman to woman, a few of the most common are,
IR is basicly pre diabetes, so in theory its better to treat yourself as a diabetic, healthy diet and light exercise willmore or less help with IR.
What tests can i have to see if i have PCOS?
Theres 2 ways, 1 is a blood test testing LH FSH and other things such as blood sugar levels, the 2nd is a pelvic ultrasound to see if there is any visible cysts.
What is the medication?
Theres only a handful of things medicly cleared for us cysters, Metformin, Birth controll pill, Clomid plus a few others, not all doctors believe all the cleared medications work as well as herbal suppliments and vitamins (please see previous post on supplements)
How many women suffer with PCOS?
It is now estimated that 25% of women of childbearing age suffer with PCOS to put that in context out of 100,000 women 25,000 have PCOS!
Will i ever be a mum?
the good news is 96.7% of cysters go on to be mums and have healthy pregnacies! albeit with some medical help or naturally, but it can happen!
What is Amenorrhea?
its means absent periods, a cycle of more than 6 weeks with no cycle.
About 20-30 percent of women will have the appearance of polycystic ovaries, while only an estimated 5-10 percent of women would be diagnosed as having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as based on signs and symptoms. It may be best to consider the finding of polycystic ovaries as a possible sign of PCOS, but not to rely on this as the sole reason in making a diagnosis.
A large percentage of women with polycystic ovaries have at least some subtle hormone alterations, even if they do not clearly exhibit other signs of the syndrome.
PCOS will in fact have the polycystic ovaries for which the syndrome is named, but it is possible to be diagnosed with the syndrome without this particular symptom. Some doctors diagnose PCOS based on the appearance of other physical symptoms or hormone abnormalities, regardless of ultrasound findings.
It is difficult to make a firm diagnosis of PCOS without the presence of either an increased number of small cysts or ovarian enlargement. Polycystic ovaries may not have been recorded as an official finding on an ultrasound even though they were seen. Often ultrasounds have been performed to exclude pathology and may not have diagnosed minor increases in cystic structures or ovarian enlargement. Some ultrasonographers may consider the milder forms of PCOS as variations of normal. Ovarian enlargement is not always associated with ovarian cyst development, but still can be a variant PCOS. In other words, if one has the signs and symptoms of PCOS it is likely that there is some alteration in the appearance of the ovary, even if it has not been recognized.
Some doctors will suggest an oral glucose tolerance test in addition to the tests above for insulin resistance.
No. It may be that PCOS and thyroid disease are both common, so will sometimes be seen in the same patient.
A good number of PCOS patients have under-active thyroid glands. Since many of the symptoms are the same, evaluation of the thyroid gland with a blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) should be a part of the evaluation for PCOS. The TSH is almost always the only test needed to evaluate thyroid function.
Likewise, PCOS should be evaluated in the patient with under-active thyroid gland.
I hope this has helped to answer some of your questions :)
Nadine xx
So here it goes...
What are the symptoms of PCOS and how do they relate to IR (Insulin Resistance).
The symptoms vary from woman to woman, a few of the most common are,
- weight gain
- facial hair
- cysts
- enlarged ovaries
- raised/lowered hormone levels
- skin tags
- absent/irregular periods
- male pattern balding
- infertility
IR is basicly pre diabetes, so in theory its better to treat yourself as a diabetic, healthy diet and light exercise willmore or less help with IR.
What tests can i have to see if i have PCOS?
Theres 2 ways, 1 is a blood test testing LH FSH and other things such as blood sugar levels, the 2nd is a pelvic ultrasound to see if there is any visible cysts.
What is the medication?
Theres only a handful of things medicly cleared for us cysters, Metformin, Birth controll pill, Clomid plus a few others, not all doctors believe all the cleared medications work as well as herbal suppliments and vitamins (please see previous post on supplements)
How many women suffer with PCOS?
It is now estimated that 25% of women of childbearing age suffer with PCOS to put that in context out of 100,000 women 25,000 have PCOS!
Will i ever be a mum?
the good news is 96.7% of cysters go on to be mums and have healthy pregnacies! albeit with some medical help or naturally, but it can happen!
What is Amenorrhea?
its means absent periods, a cycle of more than 6 weeks with no cycle.
Is PCOS a Syndrome or a Disease?
PCOS is generally considered a syndrome rather than a disease (though it is sometimes called Polycystic Ovary Disease) because it manifests itself through a group of signs and symptoms that can occur in any combination, rather than having one known cause or presentation.
Are there are other names for PCOS?
Other names for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation, functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, and Polycystic Ovary Disease.
Is there a cure for PCOS?
No, it is a condition that is managed, rather than cured. Treatment of the symptoms of PCOS can help reduce risks of future health problems.
How should i prepare for a medical appointment to discuss PCOS?
- Write down any questions before the appointment. It is usually faster and more orderly to have a list, no matter how long it may get. Many questions will be answered in the of conversation.
- Be ready to supply family history, especially about insulin resistance, diabetes, lipid abnormalities such as high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and infertility. Include information from both parents and their families. PCOS characteristics may be passed down from either side of the family.
- Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of PCOS and discuss any concerns with the doctor.
- If looking for help in getting pregnant, consider bringing in basal body temperature (BBT) charts to initial evaluation.
- See if it would be helpful to arrive for the doctor's appointment in a fasting state, and clarify any other requirements.
What are some questions to ask the doctor?
- What tests are used to confirm PCOS?
- What tests are done to confirm insulin resistance and/or diabetes?
- Are insulin-sensitizing medications prescribed for insulin resistance, or only for diabetes?
- What recommendations or medications, if any, are typically given for the symptoms of PCOS, such as weight gain/obesity, acne, hirsutism, balding, lack of periods, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance?
- After initial diagnosis of PCOS, what kind of future monitoring is recommended?
- Will diet and exercise information and support be provided?
- What kind of birth control is recommended for women with PCOS?
- What kind of treatment is offered to women with PCOS who are trying to conceive?
- Is weight loss in obese patients a requirement before any stage of fertility treatment? For example, would i be allowed to try Clomid, but not allowed to pursue IVF?
- Can insulin-sensitizing medications be used while trying to conceive?
- Can insulin-sensitizing medications be continued in pregnancy?
- Which medications used to reduce PCOS symptoms, such as those for acne and hirsutism, can be continued while trying to conceive or when pregnant?
Is it possible to have polycystic ovaries without having the syndrome?
A large percentage of women with polycystic ovaries have at least some subtle hormone alterations, even if they do not clearly exhibit other signs of the syndrome.
Is it possible to have PCOS without having cysts?
It is difficult to make a firm diagnosis of PCOS without the presence of either an increased number of small cysts or ovarian enlargement. Polycystic ovaries may not have been recorded as an official finding on an ultrasound even though they were seen. Often ultrasounds have been performed to exclude pathology and may not have diagnosed minor increases in cystic structures or ovarian enlargement. Some ultrasonographers may consider the milder forms of PCOS as variations of normal. Ovarian enlargement is not always associated with ovarian cyst development, but still can be a variant PCOS. In other words, if one has the signs and symptoms of PCOS it is likely that there is some alteration in the appearance of the ovary, even if it has not been recognized.
What are normal values for the blood tests?
this is for general guidance only!
| Hormone Levels | |||
| Hormone to test | Time to Test | Normal Values | What value means |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | Day 3 | 3-20 mIU/ml | FSH is often used as a gauge of ovarian reserve. In general, under 6 is excellent, 6-9 is good, 9-10 fair, 10-13 diminished reserve, 13+ very hard to stimulate. In PCOS testing, the LH:FSH ratio may be used in the diagnosis. The ratio is usually close to 1:1, but if the LH is higher, it is one possible indication of PCOS. |
| Estradiol (E2) | Day 3 | 25-75 pg/ml | Levels on the lower end tend to be better for stimulating. Abnormally high levels on day 3 may indicate existence of a functional cyst or diminished ovarian reserve. |
| Estradiol (E2) | Surge/hCG day | 200 + pg/ml | The levels should be 200-600 per mature (18 mm) follicle. These levels are sometimes lower in overweight women. |
| Luteinizing Hormone (LH) | Day 3 | < 7 mIU/ml | A normal LH level is similar to FSH. An LH that is higher than FSH is one indication of PCOS. |
| Luteinizing Hormone (LH) | Surge Day | > 20 mIU/ml | . |
| Prolactin | Day 3 | < 24 ng/ml | Increased prolactin levels can interfere with ovulation. They may also indicate further testing (MRI) should be done to check for a pituitary tumor. Some women with PCOS also have hyper-prolactinemia. |
| Progesterone (P4) | Day 3 | < 1.5 ng/ml | . |
| Progesterone (P4) | 7 dpo | > 15 ng/ml | A progesterone test is done to confirm ovulation. When a follicle releases its egg, it becomes what is called a corpus luteum and produces progesterone. A level over 5 probably indicates some form of ovulation, but most doctors want to see a level over 10 on a natural cycle, and a level over 15 on a medicated cycle. Some say the test may be more accurate if done first thing in the morning after fasting. |
| Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) | Day 3 | .4-4 uIU/ml | Mid-range normal in most labs is about 1.7. A high level of TSH combined with a low or normal T4 level generally indicates hypo-thyroidism, which can have an effect on fertility. |
| Free Triiodothyronine (T3) | Day 3 | 1.4-4.4 pg/ml | Sometimes the diseased thyroid gland will start producing very high levels of T3 but still produce normal levels of T4. Therefore measurement of both hormones provides an even more accurate evaluation of thyroid function. |
| Free Thyroxine (T4) | Day 3 | .8-2 ng/dl | A low level may indicate a diseased thyroid gland or may indicate a non-functioning pituitary gland which is not stimulating the thyroid to produce T4. If the T4 is low and the TSH is normal, that is more likely to indicate a problem with the pituitary. |
| Total Testosterone | Day 3 | 6-86 ng/dl | Testosterone is secreted from the adrenal gland and the ovaries. Most would consider a level above 50 to be somewhat elevated. |
| Free Testosterone | Day 3 | .7-3.6 pg/ml | |
| Dehydroepi-androsterone Sulfate (DHEAS) | Day 3 | 35-430 ug/dl | |
| Androstenedione | Day 3 | .7-3.1 ng/ml | |
| Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) | Day 3 | 18 — 114 nmol/l | Increased androgen production often leads to lower SHBG |
| Fasting Insulin | 8-16 hours fasting | < 30 mIU/ml | The normal range here doesn't give all the information. A fasting insulin of 10-13 generally indicates some insulin resistance, and levels above 13 indicate greater insulin resistance. |
| Blood Glucose Levels | |||
| Type of test | Time to Test | Normal Values | What value means |
| Fasting Glucose | 8-16 hours fasting | 70-110 mg/dl | A healthy fasting glucose level is between 70-90, but up to 110 is within normal limits. A level of 111-125 indicates impaired glucose tolerance/insulin resistance. A fasting level of 126+ indicates type II diabetes. |
| Glycohemoglobin / Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) | anytime | < 6 % | An HbA1c measures glucose levels over the past 3 months. It should be under 6% to show good diabetic control (postprandial glucose levels rarely going above 120). Good control reduces the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. |
| Cholesterol, Triglycerides and C-Peptide | |||
| What to test | Time to Test | Normal Values | What value means |
| Triglycerides (TG) | 8-16 hours fasting | < 200 mg/dl | Borderline high is 200-400, high is 400-1000, and very high is >1000. Elevated levels are a risk factor for coronary artery disease. |
| Cholesterol Total | 8-16 hours fasting | < 200 mg/dl | A level of 200-239 is borderline high, and a level 240+ is high. Increased levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease. |
| low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) | 8-16 hours fasting | < 160 mg/dl | This is the "bad" cholesterol. In someone with one risk factor for heart disease, <160 is recommended, with 2 risk factors <130, and those with documented coronary heart disease the target is <100 |
| high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) | 8-16 hours fasting | > 34 mg/dl | This is the "good" cholesterol which may be increased through a healthy diet and exercise. The HDL level is usually estimated by taking total cholesterol and subtracting LDL, rather than by direct measure. |
| C-peptide | 8-16 hours fasting | 0.5 to 4.0 ng/ml | Levels increase with insulin production. |
| Creatinine | <1.4 mg/dl | Levels 1.4 mg/dl and higher may indicate renal (kidney) disease or renal dysfunction. | |
Some doctors will suggest an oral glucose tolerance test in addition to the tests above for insulin resistance.
How often should tests be repeated?
Most of the blood work, unless monitoring a fertility treatment cycle, does not have to be repeated unless there is abnormal result. Most infertility clinics will repeat basic labs annually.
How important is the LH:FSH ratio?
The emphasis doctors place on the ratio of luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) varies. Most pre-menopausal women have a ratio close to1:1. In PCOS, the LH level may rise above the FSH, sometimes significantly. Any case where the LH is higher may be suggestive of PCOS and further investigation may be warranted. Some doctors say that an LH:FSH greater than 2:1 or 3:1 indicates PCOS.
Are PCOS and hypothyroid related?
What are the long-term health risks associated with PCOS?
PCOS is associated with increased risk for endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
Nadine xx
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
PCOS and hair loss!
There has been alot of questions lately about PCOS and hair loss. so i thought id try and explain what causes the hair loss and how you could treat it.
Ok girls, hands up if you have the dreaded 'i'm going bald' chat with family/friends/partners... yup my hand went up!
The good thing is you're not alone! theres lots of us out there with the same problem.
What causes it?
Your hair follicles and adjoining skin are active every second of every day. They receive and respond to hormonal messages from other areas of the body or from nearby cells. They also create their own hormones.
What you have is an unbelievably complex web of interacting hormones and other signaling molecules that either cause hair loss or prevent hair loss. Here are a few hormones that affect your hair:
Most commonly, the biggest concern of women with polycystic ovary syndrome is the high levels of their androgens.
Women with PCOS frequently have a condition called "androgenetic alopecia". which appears to be caused by excessively high levels of androgens.
Androgens are male hormones such as testosterone.
The primary culprit appears to be a male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is converted from testosterone and binds to hair follicles.
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) causes hair follicles on the scalp to contract and miniaturize, which in turn causes the hair growing from that particular follicle to become thinner and more fragile.
These hairs become progressively shorter and thinner with each successive hair cycle. Over time, only fine, miniaturized hairs remain. Eventually the hairs die out, leading to a scalp with decreased hair coverage.
Meanwhile, the DHT is making your facial hair coarser.
So you end up losing hair where you want it, and growing hair where you don't want it.
Another common hormone issue with women who have PCOS is an underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism.
Besides causing you to gain weight and become infertile, hypothyroidism contributes to hair thinning.
It's fairly common for PCOS women to simultaneously have hypothyroidism and too much testosterone. This imbalance presents a real challenge for maintaining hair health.
Although bald-ing is a pain in the rear there are ways you can help slow down the process...
Biotin.
Biotin contributes to the process that releases energy from food and in the maintenance of normal skin and mucous membranes. It also contributes to the normal function of the immune system and the maintenance of normal hair.
Vitamins for the hair...
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=101&prodid=271&cid=241&sid=0
Salts...
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=1381&prodid=1082&cid=241&sid=0
Theres many options but they're just a few, hope you found this helpful
Nadine xx
Ok girls, hands up if you have the dreaded 'i'm going bald' chat with family/friends/partners... yup my hand went up!
The good thing is you're not alone! theres lots of us out there with the same problem.
What causes it?
Your hair follicles and adjoining skin are active every second of every day. They receive and respond to hormonal messages from other areas of the body or from nearby cells. They also create their own hormones.
What you have is an unbelievably complex web of interacting hormones and other signaling molecules that either cause hair loss or prevent hair loss. Here are a few hormones that affect your hair:
- Androgens (male hormones)
- Cortisol (stress hormone)
- Estrogen
- Growth hormone
- Melatonin
- Prolactin
- Thyroid hormones.
Most commonly, the biggest concern of women with polycystic ovary syndrome is the high levels of their androgens.
Women with PCOS frequently have a condition called "androgenetic alopecia". which appears to be caused by excessively high levels of androgens.
Androgens are male hormones such as testosterone.
The primary culprit appears to be a male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is converted from testosterone and binds to hair follicles.
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) causes hair follicles on the scalp to contract and miniaturize, which in turn causes the hair growing from that particular follicle to become thinner and more fragile.
These hairs become progressively shorter and thinner with each successive hair cycle. Over time, only fine, miniaturized hairs remain. Eventually the hairs die out, leading to a scalp with decreased hair coverage.
Meanwhile, the DHT is making your facial hair coarser.
So you end up losing hair where you want it, and growing hair where you don't want it.
Another common hormone issue with women who have PCOS is an underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism.
Besides causing you to gain weight and become infertile, hypothyroidism contributes to hair thinning.
It's fairly common for PCOS women to simultaneously have hypothyroidism and too much testosterone. This imbalance presents a real challenge for maintaining hair health.
Although bald-ing is a pain in the rear there are ways you can help slow down the process...
Biotin.
Biotin contributes to the process that releases energy from food and in the maintenance of normal skin and mucous membranes. It also contributes to the normal function of the immune system and the maintenance of normal hair.
Vitamins for the hair...
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=101&prodid=271&cid=241&sid=0
Salts...
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=1381&prodid=1082&cid=241&sid=0
Theres many options but they're just a few, hope you found this helpful
Nadine xx
Monday, 9 January 2012
Vitex
Vitex, what does it do and how does it work?
Vitex (vitex agnus castus) is a medicinal herb that may be beneficial for hormone irregularities in women, including infertility, lack of periods and relief of PMS symptoms. Low doses of vitex increases estrogen and progesterone levels. Why is this important to women who have PCOS?
PCOS is an imbalance of sex hormones, including progesterone and estrogen. Women with PCOS commonly have few, if any, periods and may be infertile due to lack of ovulation. “During the reproductive years, the pituitary gland in the brain generates hormones that cause a new egg to be released from its follicle each month. As the follicle develops, it produces estrogen, which causes the lining of the uterus to thicken. Progesterone production increases after ovulation in the middle of a woman's cycle to prepare the lining to receive and nourish a fertilized egg so it can develop into a fetus. If fertilization does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply, the lining of the uterus breaks down and menstruation occurs (http://www.healthywomen.org/condition/estrogen )”. Without a balance in these two hormones, fertility drops. In women with PCOS, a decreased amount of progesterone may also contribute to the formation of cysts. Increasing progesterone may help with suppressing that formation resulting in fewer cysts.
While vitex is not a hormone, it works with the pituitary gland to secrete hormones. Vitex increases the level of LH (luteinizing hormone: regulates the menstrual cycle and egg production) while suppressing FSH (follicle stimulating hormone. To much FSH can cause overstimulation of the ovaries). This normalizes and restores balance to the hormones, leading to restoration of ovulation (vitex does not work for everybody! Please keep that in mind.).
By balancing hormones, vitex may help irregular periods, moodiness, sore breasts and bloating associated with PMS. While vitex is considered a “safe herb”, like all medications there may be some side effects. Itching, rash, headaches, nausea dry mouth and increased menstrual flow are some of the possible side effects. Severe allergic reactions include trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, hives,tightness of the chest and should be cause for seeking immediate medical attention! Vitex is safe to take up to 18 consecutive months.
It is not recommended to take vitex with any of the following as the POTENTIAL for interactions is always there even though vitex is safe: Antipsychotic drugs (Such as: Abilify, Thorazine), Dopamines (such as: Mirapex, Symmetral), Birth control (pills, rings or patches). As always talk to your doctor before starting a new drug, even herbs!
Saturday, 7 January 2012
New feature for A Diary Of A PCOS Girl...
hi girls, i often get asked if there was a way you could contact us and ask us for information about your PCOS Questions...
Well now there is...
The new 'Ask us' feature is where you can e-mail us your PCOS questions and worries and we give you the answers on the blog, it will all be confidential and your name will not be used, the answers will be on the blog to help you and other readers.
if you wish to take part then e-mail us on nadinespcosdiary@hotmail.co.uk and your questions will be answered as soon as possible :)
Nadine xx
Well now there is...
The new 'Ask us' feature is where you can e-mail us your PCOS questions and worries and we give you the answers on the blog, it will all be confidential and your name will not be used, the answers will be on the blog to help you and other readers.
if you wish to take part then e-mail us on nadinespcosdiary@hotmail.co.uk and your questions will be answered as soon as possible :)
Nadine xx
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