I know that PCOS is difficult and we all have personal struggles with it, but I think everyone needs to keep in mind that it won’t be easy, but eventually you’ll get to where you want to be. You’ll be healthy and happy, and I hope you all will be comfortable in your own body. Some people say that you’ll love yourself once you’ve reached your goal, but no, love yourself now! One thing I’ve come to terms with along my own journey, both PCOS and weight loss, is that I needed to love myself, flaws and all. That includes my weight issues, oily skin, breakouts, excess hair, all the way to pelvic pain. I need to love myself as a whole. I knew along this journey I’d take the steps I need to take care of each individual issue and find out what works best for me, even if it only meant I would be maintaining the issue.
Long ago I realized something, there is no known cure for PCOS at this time, only treatments for symptoms, but I had to accept it and myself. I remember crying on the way home after an appointment because like most, I want children eventually, I want to live a normal life. My mom turned to me and said, “Coleen Antoinette, you’re here today and you need to be grateful for that. You have PCOS but that doesn’t change you as a person.” and I kept that in mind for the longest time.
I try not to think of it as a negative aspect in my life because it’s a part of me and so far along this journey I’ve learned to love myself and remember the positives. Look at your strengths and accomplishments, you should be proud of who you are.
Do not let PCOS stop you from that goal you’re trying to achieve, that career you want, or anything that you want to accomplish. Strive for that goal, envision yourself at that goal, and go for it! If motivation, inspiration, or empowerment is needed, don’t be afraid to go to someone because it will help having someone there along side you throughout your journey.
We are human, we make mistakes, and sometimes learn for the better. So if you have an off day, don’t dwell on it, just move forward and continue on towards your goal, keeping in mind of your strengths.
I am proud of each and every one of you, whether you’re just starting on your journey or have been on your journey for some time now. You are taking that step to become a better you.
Do not let negative words discourage you.
Do not be afraid to go to someone for motivation.
Remember your strengths and accomplishments.
Keep a positive mind.
Stay strong and strive for the better.
Be proud of who you are.
I originally posted on http://ourpcos.tumblr.com/tagged/admin-post
princess fuckface: if you’re having period cramps i’m so sorry and i hope you feel... -
if you’re having period cramps i’m so sorry and i hope you feel better, if you don’t know what to do here are some things my mom told me:
- milk/dairy aggravates them! so do:
very sugary things
very salty things
caffeine- lay with something warm on your lower tummy; a rice sock works very well,…
I know some of you lovely people suffer from horrible periods! Here’s a few tips! Feel better my pretties ~smooches~
~~Ashley
Lower levels of melatonin may be linked to significantly reduced sleep quality in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a study reports. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age. It is a leading cause of infertility and occurs among all races and nationalities. It is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age.
Melatonin is a hormone that is made by the pineal gland. The synthesis and release of melatonin are stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light, suggesting that melatonin may be involved in circadian rhythm and the regulation of many body functions. Levels of melatonin in the blood are highest before bedtime.
Synthetic melatonin supplements have been used for a variety of medical conditions, most notably for disorders related to sleep. Previous studies suggest that women with PCOS may experience sleep problems.
In the current study, researchers looked at the link between sleep quality and levels of melatonin, as well as levels of a marker of oxidative stress called 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The team evaluated 26 women with PCOS and 26 control subjects, who completed sleep questionnaires for one month. Urine samples were collected at various time points, and the participants’ sleep patterns and lighting environment were monitored for three days and nights.
The results showed that women with PCOS had significantly high levels of melatonin and 8-OHdG in their urine at night, compared to controls. They also had significantly reduced sleep quality.
READ MORE AT SOURCE: http://naturalstandard.com/news/news201305005.asp
Raw Living Foods: Epic Raw Vegan Salad Dressing -
This recipe is a favorite of mine! A delicious and healthy dressing to mix with your large dinner bowl of greens and veggies. This can also be eaten as a soup.
Ingredients:
- 2 Navel Oranges Peeled
- 1 Lemon Juiced
- 3 Stalks Celery
- 1/4 Onion
- Thumb of Ginger Peeled
- 1 Avocado
- Handful Cilantro
- Handful Basil
Seattle’s vision of an urban food oasis is going forward. A seven-acre plot of land in the city’s Beacon Hill neighborhood will be planted with hundreds of different kinds of edibles: walnut and chestnut trees; blueberry and raspberry bushes; fruit trees, including apples and pears; exotics like pineapple, yuzu citrus, guava, persimmons, honeyberries, and lingonberries; herbs; and more. All will be available for public plucking to anyone who wanders into the city’s first food forest.
“This is totally innovative, and has never been done before in a public park,” Margarett Harrison, lead landscape architect for the Beacon Food Forest project, tells TakePart. Harrison is working on construction and permit drawings now and expects to break ground this summer.
The concept of a food forest certainly pushes the envelope on urban agriculture and is grounded in the concept of permaculture, which means it will be perennial and self-sustaining, like a forest is in the wild. Not only is this forest Seattle’s first large-scale permaculture project, but it’s also believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.
Previous studies haveidentifiedlinks between air pollution and other chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis and heart disease. However to date, epidemiological studies that have examined associations between long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and type 2 diabetesin adults are inconsistent, and studies on insulin resistance in children are scarce. Thus this new study sought to explore the possible association between air pollution and insulin resistance in children. “Although toxicity differs between air pollutants, they are all considered potent oxidisers that act either directly on lipids and proteins or indirectly through the activation of intracellular oxidant pathways,” says Heinrich. “Oxidative stress caused by exposure to air pollutants may therefore play a role in the development of insulin resistance. In addition, some studies have reported that short-term and long-term increases in particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure lead to elevated inflammatory biomarkers, another potential mechanism for insulin resistance.” In this new study, fasting blood samples were collected from 397 10-year-old children within a follow-up of two prospective German birth cohort studies. Individual-level exposures to traffic-related air pollutants at their birth address were estimated by analysing emission from road traffic in the neighbourhood, population density and land use in the area, and the association between air pollution and insulin resistance was calculated using a model adjusted for several possible confounders including socioeconomic status of the family, birthweight, pubertal status and BMI. Models were also further adjusted for second-hand smoke exposure at home. The researchers found that in all crude and adjusted models, levels of insulin resistance were greater in children with higher exposure to air pollution. Insulin resistance increased by 17% for every 10.6 µg/m3 (2 standard deviations [SDs] from the mean) increase in ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 19% for every 6 µg/m3 (2 SDs) increase in particulate matter of up to 10 μm in diameter. Proximity to the nearest major road increased insulin resistance by 7% per 500 metres. All the findings were statistically significant. Heinrich says: “There is some evidence that air pollution is associated with lower birthweight and growth restrictions —also shown previously in one of the cohortsof thepresent study — which are known risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Thus, one may speculate that lower birthweight is an intermediate step or ‘phenotype’ between air pollution and insulin resistance. However, we found no evidence to suggest that this may be true in our cohort of children, all of whom had birthweights above 2.5kg.”
READ MORE - SOURCE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130509184817.htm
mineral magpie: Grab a Grapefruit for PCOS Health -
It may not have occurred to you but the grapefruit is hard to beat as a source of natural goodness in a healthy diet to better manage the symptoms of PCOS.
For a start, it has a low GI ratingof 25, which means it’s much less likely than an orange, for example, to causean…
Thank you for adding this! You got to it before I could get the app working to add an edit and include a warning.
It may not have occurred to you but the grapefruit is hard to beat as a source of natural goodness in a healthy diet to better manage the symptoms of PCOS.
For a start, it has a low GI ratingof 25, which means it’s much less likely than an orange, for example, to causean exaggeratedinsulin response which triggers the hormonal imbalance that underlies PCOS. And if you are diabetic, it is less likely to causean artery-damagingspike inyourblood sugar.
Another plus with a grapefruit is its ability to help with weight loss because it’s high in fat-burning enzymes and low in sodium. Cutting salt in your diet can help flush out excess water caused byhigh sodium food.
Grapefruit also helps the proper digestion of food and boosts liver function, as well as providing a rich source of Vitamin C. Because it boasts a high concentration of lycopene, it may also help to prevent the onset of tumors.
Try and eat one grapefruit a day. Don’t cut it in half. Peel it like an orange for maximum benefit.
Sincerely,
Christine DeZarn Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association,Inc. (PCOSA)
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SOURCE: http://www.pcosupport.org/
Research birth control methods that are best for you, and/or find out if you are eligible for free birth control. Find health centers near you, as well as emergency contraception. Even sign up for a daily text reminder to take your birth control!
Anonymous asked: although i have never been officially diagnosed by a physician, i am certain that i suffer from PCOS. i began noticing the symptoms/red flags (irregular cycles, weight gain, and hirsutism) when i was about 15/16, and i even confronted my parents with my concerns of the possibility, but never took these concerns to a doctor. now im 23 and my symptoms worsen as each day passes. i have had multiple blood tests, countless gyno visits, and even an ultrasound, and still NOTHING. i am losing my mind:'(
PCOS can be difficult to diagnose and not all doctors are aware of PCOS, so it can be much more difficult than it should be. I would suggest looking into a new doctor, either an OB/GYN or GP. I am not aware if Endocrinologists have to be referred to by GP’s, but it wouldn’t hurt to look into, try to find one in or around your area because they specialize in hormones and the endocrine system. If you have symptoms and are not satisfied, make sure you keep pushing until you find that one doctor who won’t give up. There is a list of specific blood tests to get done that can help with diagnosing PCOS, which I will look for and post in this response, so please keep an eye on this message. I understand what you’re going through, though— it took a few years for a proper diagnosis and I wouldn’t stop until I found out the cause to the symptoms I was experiencing. Keep fighting and have hope! Don’t stop until you are satisfied with your diagnosis.