2. Encourage healthy habits. “PCOS can be a blessing in disguise. While this sounds odd on its face, the reality is that successful treatment of PCOS requires people to make healthy lifestyle changes,” says Dr. Jamil. Both doctors encourage women with PCOS to:
- exercise more
- limit their intake of fried or fatty foods
- limit their intake of sugar
- limit their intake of processed foods
- eat more fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains
Dr. Jamil explains, “These healthy lifestyle changes will ultimately benefit them in both the short and the long run and will potentially lower their risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and certain cancers in the future.”
3. Educate her that PCOS is treatable. Dr. Idries believes this is of paramount importance because it gives her hope, which is necessary to make some of the recommended lifestyle changes. In addition to lifestyle changes, many of the common symptoms/side effects of PCOS (like acne, abnormal hair growth, pelvic pain, irregular menses) can be treated with the proper use of birth control pills, antibiotics and other medications.
It has been four years since my daughter found out she was diagnosed with PCOS. Since her diagnosis, she has become knowledgeable about managing PCOS. It was tough when she didn’t know why certain changes were happening to her body. However, once she became more informed about PCOS, compliant in her medication, and ate healthier she learned it was something she could, in fact, manage.
If you are a mother of a daughter who suffers from PCOS, be supportive. Help her understand how she can manage PCOS. Speak with her primary care physician about PCOS or have your daughter tested if you suspect she has symptoms that indicate she could have this disease. And most importantly, help her know that she will be ok. PCOS is not the end of her journey especially if she takes control of understanding how to manage it to live a happier and healthier life.