Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
The symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are
fat stored in the belly, dark facial and body hair, infertility, acne
and irregular periods. A woman is born with about 4 million
eggs. Each month one egg ripens and pops off the ovary into the
uterus. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have eggs that
remain on the ovary to form cysts. PCOS is diagnosed with a
sonogram of the ovaries. The symptoms are caused by high
blood insulin levels.
Your pancreas releases insulin when your blood sugar
level rises. Anything that prevents blood sugar levels from rising
too high lowers insulin and treats PCOS. When these women
are given metformin (Glucophage), a diabetic medication, and
placed on a diabetic diet, their periods become regular, they lose
weight, their acne and facial hair disappear and they become
fertile. Women with PCOS should avoid refined carbohydrates
(any foods made with flour, white rice or milled corn) and added
sugars. Don’t avoid fruits or root vegetables, but eat them only
with other foods to slow the rise in blood sugar. If you think you
may have PCOS, take this information to your doctor
Checked 7/6/07