Dr Oz: What Is PCOS?
Dr Oz shared that there is a condition doctors often miss called PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome. Once you know you have it, there are ways you can find relief, but first you have to get the right diagnosis. Dr Oz asked his audience a series of questions to help them figure out if they could be suffering from the condition without even realizing it.
Dr Oz knows that PCOS is commonly missed by doctors, which is why he wanted to share the symptoms of the syndrome and how it can be treated. (craftivist-collective / flickr)
He first asked if they were overweight, because 75% of people with PCOS have a BMI of 26 or higher. Secondly, have you noticed any unwanted hair? Have you noticed oily or acne-prone skin? Third, are your periods irregular or have you missed periods? Finally, has your hair been thinning?
A good majority of the audience answered yes to two or more of the questions. He talked to one woman who answered yes to three questions and explained that one of her good friends was diagnosed with it, so she talked to her doctor but was dismissed.
Dr Oz: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Dr Oz then brought the woman down to look at a pair of ovaries. She described them as “putty-like” and Dr Oz explained that he didn’t actually have a polycystic ovary to look at because they’re healed and taken care of. He showed a picture of one to explain how eggs form cysts inside the ovaries. He said it’s a very treatable medical problem, and wanted to bring in an expert to learn more about it.
Dr Oz: Symptoms Of PCOS
Some of the symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, oily or acne-prone skin, unwanted hair on body, thinning hair on head, and difficulty getting pregnant. In order to figure out what’s going on, Dr Jessica Shepherd explained that doctors look at three things specifically: an increase in male hormones in the blood, irregular or missed cycles, and polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound.
Dr Shepherd shared an ultrasound of an ovary with a bunch of dark circles, which were eggs. If you see a lot of those circles around the outside of the ovary, that means there’s an increase in eggs because the increased hormones. It’s a “string of pearls” you don’t want.
Dr Oz: Treating & Managing PCOS
Once you find out you have PCOS, the good news is that it can be managed and treated. Dr Shepherd explained that women who aren’t wanting to conceive are given oral contraceptives or birth control pills to decrease the male hormone and regulate the cycle. Obesity is another big factor, so reducing your overall body weight by just 10% can reduce your symptoms.
It’s important to eat the right kinds of foods, and eliminate foods with a high glycemic index. That means you should avoid eating processed high-carb snacks, white potatoes, bread, and rice, as well as high-sugar fruits.
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