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Anxiety,
unwanted facial hair growth, easy weight gain, and missing or irregular
periods – these are all potential symptoms of PCOS.
PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome became the part of the medical
dictionary only a few decades ago. Since then, the rate of women
diagnosed with PCOS has exploded. According to the recent studies, PCOS
is responsible for up to 70% of infertility in women who have difficulty
ovulating.
What are the causes of PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition in which an excess of
androgens (male hormones, like testosterone) are produced, resulting in
impaired ovarian function. There are a number of symptoms, most
adversely being the inability to ovulate regularly, therefore resulting
in difficulty conceiving.
There are several causes of PCOS, many of them overlapping. Insulin
resistance - the most common cause of PCOS - is something that can be
corrected with diet and lifestyle. PCOS may also occur as an
after-effect of birth control pill usage and requires time, careful
nutrition and possible supplementation. Inflammatory (chronic immune
activation) PCOS can often be resolved with proper nutrition and
lifestyle changes as prescribed by your Naturopath.
Vitamin D and PCOS – What is the Link?
In women with PCOS, Vitamin D plays a vital role in ovarian
follicular development, altering anti-müllerian hormone (AMH)
signalling, follicle-stimulating hormone sensitivity and progesterone
production in human granulosa cells. The best fertility specialist in
Sydney believes vitamin D deficiency is also linked to insulin
resistance, hirsutism, hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularities,
obesity, and more.
What is Vitamin D?
Also called as the ‘sunshine vitamin,’ Vitamin D is essential for
some bodily functions such as controlling the immune system, muscle
function, cardiovascular function, respiratory system, brain
development, anti-cancer effects and more.
How Much Do You Need?
Vitamin D can be tested via a simple blood test and levels above 100
nmol/L. Without Vitamin D, the hormones cannot function normally, and
this leads to hormone problems and symptoms such as acne, facial hair,
low libido, mood disturbances, irregular periods and infertility can
result.
Food Sources of Vitamin D
- Cod liver oil, 1 Tablespoon 1,360
- Salmon, 3.5 ounces 360
- Tuna fish, canned, 3 ounces 200
- Milk, fortified (any type), 8 ounces 98
- Egg, one whole 20
- Cheese, 1 ounce 12
[The above measurements are in Food International Units (IU) Per Serving]
Also, keep in mind most people will not get enough vitamin D from
their diet alone. To obtain sufficient amount of vitamin D, you should
get at least 15 minutes of sun exposure at midday.