pcos

PCOS, PMS, and Insulin Resistance - Part I

When digging further into the root causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in my attempts to manage my PCOS holistically (see previous blog post), I quickly came across literature on insulin resistance. The literature seemed split between thinking that the hormone imbalances characteristic of PCOS caused insulin resistance and thinking that the reverse was true - insulin resistance caused hormone imbalances. While many women regain regular cycles by reducing insulin resistance through either a low-carb diet and/or through intermittent fasting, other women (like myself) tend to experience more hormonal derangement when trying a keto diet or intermittent fasting.

Knowing the connection between PCOS and insulin resistance, I was particularly excited when I received blood test results about a year ago showing that my fasting blood glucose was excellent and that my fasting insulin levels were actually a bit below the normal, healthy level. My doctor exclaimed that I had the lowest fasting insulin she had ever seen among women with PCOS! I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

At the same time, I had some symptoms that suggested I was experiencing insulin resistance including cravings for sweet and salty foods, needing frequent bathroom breaks, having bouts of “hangriness,” and lower belly fat that never budges even at my leanest of times.

Ovaries, herbal teas, and healthy gums: Forging my own path to wellness while living with PCOS

The summer before 7th grade, I was spending the day at soccer camp, when the blue sky quickly filled with dark storm clouds that began dumping rain on us and threatening us with bright flashes of lightning. The camp counselors quickly moved us into the field house and called our parents to pick us up. Upon returning home, I began peeling off my soaking wet clothes. As I did, I realized my underwear was not just soaked from the rain.

My first period had arrived. I spent the next 7 days wondering on how earth I would survive having periods once a month for the rest of my reproductive life when they seemed to require changing my pad once every hour or two. The heaviness was just chalked up to my pubescent hormones and shrugged off by my mom.

To my pleasant surprise, I did not have another period for another 6 months. During those 6 months, this seemed like the best thing ever. However, I paid dearly when it finally did arrive. This time, it lasted for 14 days, with the same life-disrupting flow of the first period.