What foods should be eaten with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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The characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome include amenorrhea, obesity, infertility, acne, hirsutism, and hormone level tests generally indicate high testosterone, high luteinizing hormone, and low estrogen levels. Therefore, dietary intake should avoid large portions of meat, high-fat, and high-calorie foods. It is beneficial to consume more vegetables and fruits, and foods that are high in estrogen levels, such as beans and soy products, especially soy milk made from black soybeans. Besides pharmacological treatments, it is crucial for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome to regulate their daily routines and diet. If a patient is significantly overweight, it is essential to lose weight through exercise.

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Written by He Bing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 13sec home-news-image

Can polycystic ovary syndrome get pregnant?

Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) suffer from endocrine disorders, which prevent follicles from developing and maturing, leading to anovulation or rare ovulation, and consequently, amenorrhea and infertility. Although it is much more difficult for patients with PCOS to become pregnant compared to the average person, there is still a great hope for natural conception through a series of targeted treatments. For patients with reproductive needs, ovulation induction treatment can be chosen based on improved lifestyle habits. Under the guidance of a doctor, medications can be used to adjust menstrual cycles and stimulate ovulation. Then, by having intercourse around the time of ovulation, the chances of pregnancy can be increased. However, it is important to emphasize that all these should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor. The female endocrine system is like a precise instrument, and improper use of medication on one's own can potentially lead to endocrine disorders and result in infertility.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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The difference between polycystic and polycystic ovary syndrome

Some women may discover they have polycystic ovaries during occasional gynecological exams. If their menstrual cycle is regular, with good ovulation, and does not affect pregnancy, then it is just a polycystic ovarian state, not called polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome primarily involves irregular menstruation, poor ovulation, and difficulty in becoming pregnant. The condition of polycystic ovary syndrome varies greatly among individuals; some show clear signs of high androgens or have laboratory tests indicating high androgen levels, and many people experience a significant increase in luteinizing hormone, among other symptoms. Therefore, these are two different conditions.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 15sec home-news-image

How to lose weight with polycystic ovary syndrome?

The characteristics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) include amenorrhea, obesity, infertility, acne, and hirsutism. Most patients with PCOS are overweight, and such individuals definitely need to have their blood drawn again at the hospital to check their blood sugar levels and insulin for abnormalities. If the blood sugar is also high and there is positive insulin resistance, medication must be used to adjust the blood sugar levels. With normal blood sugar, weight loss can also proceed. Moreover, obesity being a characteristic of the disease itself, it generally can be managed through eating less and exercising more. One should avoid eating large amounts of meat, foods high in fat and calories, and instead consume more vegetables and fruits, as well as beans and soy products, particularly black soybeans used to make soy milk. It is essential to perform one hour of aerobic exercise every night before sleep, and one should definitely avoid staying up late. With these endocrine adjustments, normal body weight can be restored.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 8sec home-news-image

The difference between polycystic ovary syndrome and polycystic ovaries

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and polycystic ovaries are different. Firstly, polycystic ovaries are diagnosed through ultrasound, wherein more than 12 small follicles are found in both ovaries simultaneously under ultrasound guidance. This condition can occur in some normal women as well as women who have been taking short-acting birth control pills for a long time. In subsequent check-ups, this condition might not be detected. On the other hand, polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease represented by a cluster of clinical symptoms. For instance, women may experience infrequent ovulation, longer menstrual cycles, and it can also lead to infertility. There are also manifestations of increased androgen levels, such as increased body hair and facial acne. Polycystic ovary syndrome primarily affects a woman's normal fertility functions and thus requires treatment; whereas, polycystic ovaries usually just require observation.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome?

When suspecting polycystic ovary syndrome in females, it is essential to first inquire about the woman's menstrual history and menstrual cycle. A detailed observation of the woman's body type should be made, as some women may appear somewhat overweight and have increased body hair, such as small mustaches around the lips, and some may even have acne on their faces. In addition, a thorough physical examination should be conducted, including a gynecological examination, where some women may find an increased volume in both ovaries. Hormonal tests can also be conducted, showing elevated levels of androgens, or an imbalance in the levels ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone. Some women may exhibit insulin resistance, with abnormalities in blood glucose and lipid levels. Ultrasound examination can show many small follicles in both ovaries on the same plane, without a dominant follicle, and the number of small follicles generally exceeds 12.