What is polycystic ovary syndrome?

The main symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) include:

• Chronic amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea, long-term anovulation.
• Acne, hirsutism or an increase in the concentration of male hormones (androgens) in the blood.
• An ultrasound scan shows an increase in ovarian volume to more than 10ml or more than 12 follicles with 2-9mm in each ovary.

PCOS is diagnosed if the patient meets two of the above three conditions.

Dietary principles

• Avoid processed and refined food, such as juice, jam, candy, cookies, cakes, sugary drinks, white bread, steamed bread, noodles.
• Avoid raw and cold /cool food, such as ice products, pears, pomelos, grapefruit, watermelon, coconuts, tangerines, hard persimmons, wax apples, mung beans, Chinese cabbages, bamboo shoots, daikon radish.
• Avoid grilled, deep-fried, spicy and irritating food, such as pickled products, coffee, curry, shacha sauce, chilies and luwei.
• Eat light food with less salt.

Proper diet

• Vegetables: carrots, cabbages, water spinach, garland chrysanthemum, spinach, celery, Gynura bicolor, onions, green peppers, cauliflowers, asparagus.
• Fruit: apples, guavas, grapes, papayas, strawberries, cherries, kiwifruit.
• Protein: chicken, fish, scallops, oysters, clams, tofu.

Lifestyle adjustment

• Regular exercise can reduce weight, promote blood circulation, relieve depression and anxiety, build self-confidence, and improve insulin resistance.
• Resistance exercise (weight lifting, muscle stretching) is recommended to complement aerobic exercise (jogging, brisk walking, aerobic dancing, cycling, swimming).
• Do 20 minutes of exercise every day and one hour a week of intense exercise.
• Lack of adequate sleep increases the risk of insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, fatigue, depression and anxiety, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
  • Avoid drinking coffee, tea and coke 6 to 8 hours before bedtime.
  • Avoid overeating or drinking too much water before bed.
  • Maintain a quiet and comfortable environment, and cultivate a relaxed and calm mood.
  • Patients with apnea are advised to lie on their side.
• Women who have a habit of smoking need to consider quitting.
• Problems such as appearance, menstrual disorder or infertility often result in huge psychological pressure, depression, anxiety and poor quality of life. Patients need stress management and relaxation skills.
  • Meditation, regular exercise, deep breathing, listening to music, painting, singing.
  • Write down your worries and stress on a piece of paper and come up with possible solutions.
  • Share your inner worries with your intimate friends or professional counselors, or with experienced elders, or listen to others' opinions, so as to clarify the crux of the problem.