Have you noticed unusual darkening and thickening of the skin over the joints and in body folds, your neck, elbows, knees as well as groin and underarm areas? Have you recently been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? This is common in this condition but may not affect all women with PCOS. Chances of developing it are high if you are overweight.
As discussed in the previous article, (which btw, if you haven't read, you should consider reading that one first), body cells stop reacting to insulin.
Insulin - a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.
This insulin resistance results in the growth of darkened skin over certain areas of the body
Note: There are many other causes of hyperpigmentation including and not limited to use of certain medications, pre-diabetes and diabetes, thyroid and adrenal gland diseases and other skin diseases. Consider consulting a dermatologist to know the exact cause of the skin changes you may be experiencing.
How do you lessen the severity of hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation should not be a huge cause for concern but there are ways that can help alleviate the symptoms;
Regular exercise. As mentioned in the previous article, exercising is a good way to reduce insulin levels in the blood. During exercise, your body will need extra energy from blood sugar or glucose. Therefore, having a regular work-out routine can help balance your insulin level.
Drinking enough water. I know nobody likes being told to drink water, but this is very essential in keeping your blood level in check. The daily recommended water intake is at least 1.2 litres a day but the goal should be 2 litres or more. Drinking water also helps flush out excess blood sugar through urine. You'll have to pee a whole lot, but it's worth it.
Use sunscreen.
Low-sugar diet. It is necessary that you start eating healthy food that is less in sugar and packed with nutrients. I started keeping track of what I eat by having a food diary. This helped me know my eating behavior and patterns that I should eliminate or introduce into my routine.
Taking supplements. Certain supplements such as vitamin D, omega 3 and zinc help reduce testosterone levels and relieve symptoms associated with PCOS.
There are other ways that can help lighten areas where you are experiencing hyperpigmentation, but it is always important to solve the problem from the root cause. Treating the underlying causes of hyperpigmentation will help alleviate the condition.
In conclusion:
having fully covered 3 articles about PCOS that took me months and months to write, I hope that you now have an understanding of what this is. You might not be going through such a condition but what's the harm in educating yourself?
Summary
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder/imbalance associated with excess production of androgens (male sex hormones) in the female body.
PCOS can lead to irregular periods, hair loss or a lot of hair in the face and body, polycystic ovaries (where ovaries become enlarged with multiple follicles detected by ultrasound) and the last, certainly not least, the most unpleasant one, acne. Not all women with PCOS show symptoms mentioned above.
Managing PCOS
* Cultivate a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, plenty of fiber, whole grains, nuts and fish rich in omega-3 and fatty acids.
*Incorporate seeds such as chia and flax in your water, porridge, smoothies and oats. The recommended daily intake for chia seeds is about 20g (1.5 tbsps.) and less than 50g ( tbsps.) for flax seed per day.
Remember, only a certified doctor can properly diagnose you through a series of examinations and tests.
* Information provided is based on my research and personal experience in dealing with PCOS. This article is not in any way meant to diagnose or treat any health problems you may have. Consider visiting your doctor/gynecologist for a professional health check-up.*