The high prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in the region that affects a significant number of women.
While there is no cure for PCOS, lifestyle factors play a huge role in minimising symptoms and making it easier to live with the condition.
Better Health spoke to health experts on how diet, exercise and regular screenings can help reduce symptoms and assist women with managing with the condition.
“PCOS is a hormonal syndrome and causes overproduction of hormones called androgens, which lead to cysts in the ovaries,” says Dr Omyma Abdelkarim, consultant gynaecologist at Dubai Hospital. “It is typically earmarked by irregular periods. Additionally, women with the syndrome experience a range of symptoms such as excess body and facial hair, acne, pelvic pain, and difficulty getting pregnant.”
Complications of PCOS
Dr Abdelkarim explains that the condition can also lead to complications, such as obesity and diabetes. “Women tend to put on weight and become overweight or obese unless they consciously take measures that prevent the pile up of pounds. Yet, the main problem for most women with PCOS is insulin resistance, which is actually the same problem that occurs in type 2 diabetes. As a result, their body produces extra insulin, and the high insulin acts on the ovaries and causes the increase in male hormones, which leads to hormonal imbalance.”
According to Dr Abdelkarim, the condition can also hamper fertility as PCOS tends to affect women of childbearing age.
So, what steps can women take to reduce the effects if they are diagnosed?
“In order to overcome fertility problems caused by PCOS, it is important for women to maintain a healthy BMI and lose weight if they are overweight or obese,” says Dr Abdelkarim. “This can directly help in optimising the chances of pregnancy. We recommend going on a diet, which is low in processed foods and sugars and we recommend weight training at least three times a week to help regulate the hormones and ovaries. It is a known fact that weight reduction enhances reproductive outcomes.”
The glycaemic index
She advises that women with PCOS should cut out refined sugars and refined carbs to reduce the insulin spikes in the body and to help the body release insulin slowly, so that hormones remain balanced and the ovarian function is optimised to regulate periods.
Dr Wafaa Ayesh, Director of Nutrition at the DHA, says, “A high-fibre, lean protein and anti-inflammatory food diet can help. High-fibre foods can help combat insulin resistance by slowing down digestion and reducing the impact of sugar on the blood.
“Once you cut out refined sugars, fizzy drinks and refined carbohydrates such as white bread, half the battle is won. These can be swapped for healthier long-energy releasing foods. High-fibre vegetables, such as broccoli, lean protein, such as fish, legumes and pulses, anti-inflammatory foods such as spices, turmeric and tomatoes is a good idea.”
Dr Wafaa also recommends that women who are diagnosed with the condition should start considering their glycaemic index. “Women with PCOS should simply look up glycaemic index of foods,” she says. “A high glycaemic index means the food will convert to sugar quickly and cause insulin spikes so it’s important to make simple changes. For instance, one apple is better than eating a bowl of watermelon, in terms of the glycaemic index.”
