Diabetes can be linked to many different medical conditions, where you might have a
condition like high blood pressure along with diabetes, especially in the case of type 2
diabetes. For women, one of the most common links is between PCOS and diabetes.
PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, causes cysts in your ovaries which can lead to
many complications, including infertility. Here is more information about having PCOS
and diabetes.
About PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a very common condition affecting millions of
women around the world. This condition can be caused by many factors, though both
obesity and diabetes are frequently what lead to it. With PCOS, you might have
infertility, irregular hormone levels, extended or missing periods, and cysts that grow in
your ovaries. Some women don’t realize they have PCOS until they get weird symptoms
like the inability to become pregnant or increased hair growth on the face and other
parts of the body.
Getting Type 2 Diabetes
PCOS is unfortunately a risk factor for getting type 2 diabetes. If you have PCOS, you
are already genetically predisposed to the form of diabetes. The reason is because
PCOS is often the result of insulin resistance in the body. You might have high levels of
insulin in your blood, which is how it can lead to diabetes. Another factor that makes
them closely related is that both can be caused by being overweight. If you are currently
overweight with PCOS, the sooner you can get a handle on your diet and get to an
average weight for your age and height, the better your chances for preventing or
treating type 2 diabetes.
How to Manage Both
The good news here is that the treatments for both PCOS and type 2 diabetes are very
similar. It often begins with getting to an average weight with diet and exercise. This
means starting a workout program with both aerobic and cardio exercise, and weight
training. You should switch to a healthy diet with fresh fruits and veggies, healthy fats,
lean poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and plenty of whole grains.
You may also be asked to take medication for your diabetes, which can also help with
the insulin resistance causing PCOS, such as with Metformin. Taking this one
medication can treat both conditions at the same time. Keep monitoring your blood
sugar and you should be able to treat both diabetes and PCOS.