1. Enjoy a PCOS Diet
Create your own healthy and delicious PCOS diet. Strive for balance. Don't load up or skimp on carbohydrates. Fill your plate with crisp veggies, whole grains like barley or bulgar and beans with chopped cilantro and onions. Snack on slices of fruit and a small handful of almonds or walnuts. Limit meat, cheese and sweets, as high-fat foods elevate your cholesterol level and increase your cardiovascular risk. With a balanced diet, you'll shed extra weight that can exacerbate PCOS symptoms, and you'll help regulate high blood sugar, cholesterol levels and blood pressure, all of which can stem from PCOS.
Ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian who can develop a meal plan specifically aimed at managing your PCOS symptoms. Working with a professional can help you define your nutritional goals and motivate you to stay on track with healthy eating to manage PCOS and prevent long-term health problems.
2. Start the PCOS Movement
Along with your healthy PCOS diet, include regular activity in your schedule to balance your hormones, and your menstrual cycle and improve or prevent insulin resistance. Exercise can help you to manage PCOS symptoms while increasing your cardiovascular health. You'll get the bonus of boosting your energy and morale, which is important if you're feeling depressed due to PCOS.
If dislike exercising, start by walking for 5 or 10 minutes every day. Chances are that once you're outside, you'll enjoy the fresh air and change of scenery, and you'll walk longer. Get professional help with your exercise program if you need it. Your doctor can refer you to an exercise physiologist or some other licensed trainer for guidance and support.
3. At-Home and Professional Hair Removal Methods
Your over-the-counter options for managing excess hair caused by PCOS include depilatories in wax, cream, gel or lotion forms. While these are relatively inexpensive and have results that last for several weeks, depilatories can irritate your skin. Before using a hair removal product, experiment on a small, hidden area. If you don't experience a rash or redness, use it to remove hair where needed. You can also shave or pluck extra hair, but these methods can be time-consuming and uncomfortable.
Consider electrolysis to remove hair from your face. To permanently remove hair, several treatments are usually needed. Electrolysis isn't well suited for large areas of your body, such as your back or belly. Laser hair removal is another option. This requires multiple treatments, though, and some hair may grow back, even after several treatments.
