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Combat the Effects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

April 30, 2017

PCOS - Prenatal Vitamins to Help Fertility

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly referred to as PCOS, is a condition often responsible for infertility among women. Along with issues related to the menstrual cycle, PCOS can result in long-term complications. While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, there are lifestyle changes women can take to help combat its effects.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects 5 to 10 percent of women of childbearing age.1 It is estimated that PCOS is responsible for 70 percent of infertility issues in women who have trouble ovulating.1 Women who suffer from PCOS develop small collections of fluid in their ovaries. These cyst-like formations surround the eggs inside the ovaries. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown.

PCOS Symptoms & Complications

Women who have PCOS may be affected by the condition differently, but the most common symptom is having irregular periods.1 Other examples of irregularities include cycles that are longer than 35 days, having fewer than eight cycles per year, or prolonged periods. As anyone who has tried to become pregnant knows, irregular periods make it very difficult to time ovulation and fertile days. Many women who have PCOS aren’t diagnosed with the condition until they seek infertility treatment.

Women with PCOS often have an elevated level of male sex hormones. In men, high levels of androgen or testosterone may cause excess body and facial hair, acne or male pattern baldness.1  These same hormones can also be responsible for the ovaries not releasing an egg each month.

In addition to the symptoms noted above, women with PCOS are more likely to have long-term complications from it, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, lipid abnormalities and even cancer of the uterine lining.1 

Lifestyle Changes to Combat PCOS

Unfortunately, symptoms and complications related to PCOS can become more severe or likely to occur if a woman is obese. For women who are struggling with excess weight, it’s even more important to implement lifestyle changes to combat the effects of PCOS.

The first step for women with PCOS is to keep their weight in check or lower it to an acceptable level. Becoming active will aid in weight loss and help lower blood sugar levels. Daily exercise can treat or even prevent insulin resistance and help keep weight under control. 

Women who are overweight can also make dietary changes, such as getting their daily calorie intake to the ideal range. By losing weight, they may be able to reduce both insulin levels and androgen levels, which may restore ovulation.2 Women who want to lose weight should also evaluate the types of foods they eat. Focusing on low-fat proteins and complex carbohydrates, which are high in fiber, can help with weight loss, as these foods can keep blood sugar in check. Women who are overweight should also limit simple carbs, such as soda, candy, cookies and other sweets. 

If you are struggling with infertility or the symptoms related to PCOS, talk to your health care provider. He or she can help develop the right treatment plan for you. Even if you are having trouble becoming pregnant, it is still important to take a daily prenatal vitamin. The Prenate® Vitamin Family offers a line of prenatal vitamins with folic acid. Each contains 1 mg folate as a blend of bioavailable L-methylfolate and traditional folic acid. This nutrient is critical in early pregnancy to a baby’s long-term and healthy development. Talk to your doctor to see which Prenate® supplement is right for you.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

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