Dietary tips for managing PCOS

Lisa Barrett22 said:There’s no way they’re prescribing you metformin if you don't have major weight issues.

Ugh, where are you even getting that from?
I know for a fact—like, totally certain—that they prescribe it to girls with perfectly normal weights all the time.

Oh yeah, speaking of tea—you guys seriously need to try some valerian root tea!

Kimberly Chase54 said:Seriously, where on earth are you getting that from?
I know for a fact they’re prescribing it to girls with perfectly normal weights too.

Look, at the end of the day, this is a diabetes medication. It makes zero sense to be handing it out to someone dealing with PCO if their blood sugar levels are actually fine.

The first thing you should always try is just focusing on shedding those extra pounds and staying at a healthy weight for as long as possible, just to see if there's any actual progress being made.

My endocrinologist explained to me that the pill is prescribed specifically to boost metabolism, regardless of any concerns regarding weight or blood sugar levels—I actually double-checked that with him twice just to be sure.
My gynecologist, however, holds a different view on the matter.

I suspect prolactin might be an issue, though it isn't strictly necessary for a diagnosis; whereas the ratio of LH to FSH, along with androgen levels like androstenedione and testosterone being outside the normal range, are direct consequences of the underlying situation.
You see, the only thing I haven't tested for is progesterone—which I believe is used to confirm ovulation—but as far as my other results go, my prolactin levels are perfectly fine, even if everything else is a bit messy. Prolactin is that breastfeeding and stress hormone, and it’s more than enough to throw your entire cycle out of whack even when all your other markers look okay.

Lisa Barrett22 said:I mean, it’s literally a diabetes drug, so it makes zero sense to prescribe it to someone dealing with PCOS if they aren't even struggling with blood sugar issues.

The first thing you gotta do is always drop the weight—get to an ideal weight and try to stay there as long as possible just to see if anything actually shifts.

I'm totally with you on the whole weight loss part.
And yeah, you're right that Metformin is a diabetes medication, but doctors prescribe it in low doses for PCOS all the time because there's this huge link growing between PCOS and insulin resistance. It's... honestly, it's complicated.
But the real deal is that Metformin has helped people—whether they're overweight or not, doesn't even matter—get their ovulation back on track, even for women whose tests don't even show insulin resistance! Plus, usually, it helps with the weight loss too, naturally.

I'm looking at all of this through the lens of infertility, though, since I know plenty of women with PCOS have used Metformin to regulate their cycles specifically to get pregnant.
I'm not really sure how often—or if even—Metformin gets prescribed to women who aren't trying to conceive, and if it is, I have no clue how long they stay on it or what happens once they stop taking it.😕

Kimberly Chase54 said:Oh, and if you're looking for tea recommendations, you might want to give chamomile a try!

Just so there isn't any confusion since there are several different varieties out there, it's sometimes referred to by other names as well. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it, though I personally haven't picked up a box to brew myself yet; I usually just stick to various herbal blends.

Jamie Johnson6 said:So, my OB-GYN is actually saying something totally different.

Wait, what? Are you serious right now?

Jamie Johnson6 said:Look, the only thing I didn't bother testing was progesterone—does that even actually track ovulation? Or am I just missing the point entirely?

Yeah, seeing that high progesterone level on day 21 pretty much confirms it—ovulation definitely happened.

Kimberly Chase54 said:I definitely agree regarding the weight loss aspect.
You are absolutely right that Metformin is primarily a diabetes medication, but doctors here in the States are increasingly prescribing it in smaller doses for PCOS because the link between the two and insulin resistance is becoming much clearer. It really is such a complex issue to untangle.
The reality is that Metformin has been a game-changer for many—regardless of their starting weight—when it comes to regulating ovulation cycles, even for those who haven't technically tested positive for insulin resistance yet! And naturally, it often helps with weight management too.

I tend to view all of this through the lens of fertility, mainly because I've seen so many women dealing with PCOS successfully regulate their cycles using Metformin specifically to help with conception.
I am honestly not sure how often it is prescribed to women who aren't currently trying to get pregnant, or if they are, how long they stay on it and what happens once they stop.😕

That’s exactly it. Using it alongside birth control is becoming a more common approach lately, regardless of the initial diagnosis.
I will be sure to update you on what my doctor says😬 during my next checkup.
My lab results have actually improved quite a bit after six months of treatment; they aren't perfect,
my LH and FSH levels are still pretty much where you would expect them to be,
but my androgen levels have improved significantly (which is why my period finally returned), while my testosterone stayed relatively stable and my SHBG swung from one extreme to the other.
When I was just taking Diana or Cilest, I didn't see much of a difference at all.
.
(I am honestly going a little crazy today—I just realized I've misplaced my medical logbook, which is the last thing I need right now!😠 )

Kimberly Chase54 said:Wait, what?
.

Honestly, I don't think a gynecologist is really the right specialist for this specific issue; typically, they just prescribe hormones to ensure you have a regular cycle and to handle things like uterine cancer prevention. However, our endocrine system covers a much broader area than just the ovaries. Personally, I would suggest seeing an endocrinologist instead. I actually dealt with some thyroid issues myself once, and if I had only been seeing my OB-GYN, I probably wouldn't have even realized there was a problem, even though it can definitely mess with your cycle.
Kimberly Chase54, are you currently trying to conceive? (If you don't mind me asking)🙂

On the bright side, please don't let this weigh too heavily on your mind; my neighbor, who also deals with PCOS, is already on her second pregnancy.

Kimberly Chase54 said:I'm with you on the weight loss thing.
And yeah, you're totally right that Metformin is a diabetes medication—but doctors prescribe it in low doses for PCOS too, mostly because there’s this growing link between PCOS and insulin intolerance. It really is such a complicated mess...

Okay, I've let you guys talk nonsense for long enough, but I just can't ignore my conscience 😬 regarding the PCOS discussion.

So, newsflash: INSULIN INTOLERANCE DOES NOT EXIST!!!!!!!!

What actually exists is insulin resistance—which is basically when your body's cells just can't use insulin effectively—and that's what you guys are actually talking about.

Look, none of the moderators on this sub could ever actually step in and penalize someone for giving wrong or even dangerous advice, but please, I'm begging you, be careful with what you post!!!! If you don't know the facts, just stay quiet... don't end up in a spot where your "advice" actually ends up hurting someone...

Rachel Brooks63 said:Alright, I’ve let you all talk nonsense for long enough, but I simply can't ignore my conscience any longer. 😬 It was such a pleasure catching up with Peema earlier today.

So, it turns out that insulin resistance isn't actually an intolerance!

When we talk about insulin resistance, what we’re really discussing is the body's inability to effectively utilize insulin at a cellular level, which essentially means the cells in our tissues aren't responding to the hormone as they should. I remember reading a fascinating piece in a medical journal last month that illustrated this perfectly; it's quite a complex physiological hurdle, but it's precisely the phenomenon being discussed here.

I don’t think any of the moderators on this sub ever have the authority to step in when someone hands out incorrect or even dangerous advice, so I really want to make a sincere appeal to everyone here: please, just be careful about what you post. It’s easy to feel confident behind a keyboard, but if you aren't absolutely certain about a particular topic, it might be better to stay silent rather than risk putting someone in harm's way with bad guidance. I remember once trying to help a friend with a DIY project based on something I thought I knew, only to realize later how much trouble I could have caused—so let's all try to be responsible and look out for one another.

Fair enough, that's perfectly fine; I honestly have no idea where that word even came from. 😵
I know it might sound a bit silly—it’s based on an OGTT, or oral glucose tolerance test, if you want to get technical. I’m certainly no medical expert, so please take this with a grain of salt, but I just wanted to share what I personally went through.

And who exactly would I be doing any favors for by offering my advice?
If people could just take the initiative to find a reliable endocrinologist and get their hormone panels checked, I think we would all see much better results. Everything is looking wonderful on my end today! I always make it a point to do my own research before starting any new medication, including this one, which I actually first heard about while browsing an online health forum.
My OB-GYN actually handed them over to me at my own request, though she didn't even bother testing all of my hormone levels.👎 )
Do you think marijuana can actually be harmful? In my experience, it hasn't really done much for me—neither helping nor hurting—though I did find myself heading to the restroom quite frequently and quite happily.

Jamie Johnson6 said:Who exactly am I going to hurt by giving advice?

Look, in this particular situation... you can't really hurt anyone. And yeah, I’m totally with you—people who blindly follow random internet advice are usually just asking for trouble and are responsible for their own messes.

But still, that doesn't mean we shouldn't try our best to avoid giving bad advice, right?

I'm really not taking this personally, I'm just making a general point here. No hard feelings, please...🙂

Rachel Brooks63 said:In this particular situation, you can't really help anyone, and I actually agree with you—people who blindly follow advice from online forums are largely responsible for whatever consequences they face.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't feel a sense of responsibility to avoid giving out bad advice, right?

I don't mean this personally toward you at all; it's more of a general appeal to everyone, please. 🙂

It’s quite funny how I was the first one to start using the term "intolerance" instead of "resistance," and then it just kind of stuck...🤣

Who exactly was giving out wrong advice? 😕

There weren't even really any specific pieces of advice being given,
(aside from yours😬 and others regarding exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which is impossible to go wrong with).
I can certainly share my own experiences, but obviously, you can't derive a universal rule or write a scientific study based solely on one person's story.

Though, I suppose people can always complain; it helps to realize that your neighbor's lawn isn't perfectly green either. 😬

Joking aside, because of the Rodin forum, I actually went in and requested some specific medical tests, which led to me receiving different diagnoses altogether.

(I didn't write them up myself, of course; you can tell I don't even know how to transcribe them properly—looking at my results now, it should have been glucose intolerance rather than insulin, but I misread it.)

Jamie Johnson6 said:It doesn't even sound like those pills work for what you're describing. That's more like diabetes medication. Who's actually managing your treatment—your OB-GYN or an endocrinologist?
Get all your labs done first, then figure out the therapy.
Honestly, reading your post, I can't even tell if you actually have PCOS or something else entirely.😕
If it's just high prolactin, what was the basis for that diagnosis?
Having ovarian cysts isn't the same thing as having PCOS. And neither is just having irregular cycles.
Prolactin isn't even really linked to PCOS; it's more about your FSH and LH levels (their ratio) and everything else involved.
I've tried herbal stuff and teas before; they aren't bad, I guess, maybe they help clear out your urinary tract. I have no clue if they actually work for hormonal stuff though (maybe they just helped with inflammation).

Well, my OB-GYN told me I have PCOS, but I’d already pretty much figured that out myself since my periods stopped coming and my skin turned into a total disaster, even though I'm way past puberty.
The doctor sent me for hormone testing, and we found out that out of everything we checked, only my prolactin was slightly elevated, so I'd say I don't really have any major hormone issues.
Since I don't have any issues with my blood sugar, that's honestly why I wasn't familiar with Metformin. I had no idea what it was used for, but now I do.🙂

Rachel Brooks63 said:so, insulin intolerance DOESN'T ACTUALLY EXIST!!!!!!!!

Look, there's such a thing as insulin resistance—which is basically just your cells being too stubborn to actually use the insulin you've got—and that’s really what everyone is talking about here.

Man, I feel totally called out right now, so I gotta set the record straight.
Rachel Brooks63, thanks for the assist 😘

We all know that dropping weight is an uphill battle when you're dealing with PCOS, but what about the extra hair growth? It’s so frustrating dealing with those masculine patterns when your hormone levels are spiked. Does anyone have advice on how to manage this besides just constant shaving or waxing?

coppernomad7 said:and my skin was an absolute disaster even though I was way past my teenage years.
)

Maybe this will make you feel a little better:
my skin used to be such a mess
(and I don't mean during puberty, but rather when I hit my mid-twenties before things finally started looking up)
...but now, everything is suddenly working out beautifully,
and honestly, I think I actually ended up doing better than most girls my age since I haven't developed a single wrinkle yet,
it seems like my oily glands eventually just created a protective barrier against all those outside environmental factors🤣

(I remember once trying this intense chemical peel that worked wonders on my dark spots and old scars.)

And don't worry, that peach fuzz isn't just going to vanish on its own, so try not to stress too much about it.😠

Thought I’d jump in here and weigh in on the PCOS conversation.
I've been dealing with this since my early teens—about 13 years now.
I was always a bit on the heavier side, but things really spiraled about seven years ago when my hormones went haywire. My thyroid basically decided to quit on me, and over the next few years, I put on nearly 90 pounds. It was brutal...
I don't ovulate, and my doctor basically tells me it's because of my weight. I was prescribed Metformin—two pills a day—along with some dietary changes. I'm not doing any extreme fad diets, just sticking to Montignac. From what I've read, a low-glycemic diet seems to be the gold standard for managing PCOS weight issues.
The progress has been slow but steady. I've been working out at home, and now that spring is finally showing up, I'm feeling a bit more motivated. Plus, wanting to start a family is a huge driver for me—I'm 30, married for almost three and a half years.
I'm wondering if anyone else here has dealt with significant weight issues and PCOS, yet still managed to conceive naturally? That’s my biggest fear. By the time I drop those 45 pounds... man, time is ticking. I'm terrified we might end up having to turn to IVF.

Is it actually true that hairiness goes away once you start on birth control? Or does it just make things more hairy?

Karen Watson60 said:Thought I’d jump into this PCOS discussion.
I've been dealing with this since my early teens—about 13 years now.
I was always a bit curvy, but seven years ago everything just spiraled. My hormones went haywire, my thyroid acting up, and I ended up gaining nearly 90 pounds over a few years. It was awful.
My doctor says I'm not ovulating because of the weight. I was prescribed Metformin, twice a day, plus a diet. Honestly, I'm not doing anything super strict; I'm mostly sticking to Monticello. I read online that for PCOS, a low-carb, low-glycemic diet works wonders.
Things are finally starting to move slowly. I'm working out at home, and now that spring is coming, I'm feeling way more motivated. Plus, wanting a baby is a huge driver for me (I'm 30, married for almost three and a half years).
I really want to know if anyone else here struggled with significant extra weight and PCOS but still managed to conceive naturally? That’s my biggest fear. I need to drop at least 45 pounds first... but man, time is ticking! I'm terrified we might end up needing IVF.

Maybe give Herbalife a shot? I used it for a while and actually dropped about 30 pounds. The weight hasn't come back, though it's stuck right where it is now. I eat pretty much everything. Still have another 65 pounds to go... ugh.