If you have recently seen a lot of your OB/GYN because of irregular or painful menstruation, fertility struggles, or other related issues, you may have been diagnosed with a condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. There are numerous health issues and problems that can be associated with PCOS and while this condition cannot be cured, it is important that you learn how to properly manage it and your health going forward. Get to know some of the important issues to consider as you begin working with your OB/GYN and primary care physician to manage your PCOS and your overall health.

Be Cognizant of Your Blood Sugar and Watch Out for Diabetes Symptoms

Even if you do not currently have diabetes or elevated blood sugar, it is important after you receive a diagnosis of PCOS to be cognizant and cautious in regard to your blood sugar levels. PCOS elevates a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes significantly. Many women diagnosed with the condition develop diabetes before the age of 40.

Going forward, it is important to try to control your sugar intake as well as watch out for the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Symptoms such as excessive thirst or hunger, fatigue, frequent urge to urinate, and blurry vision can all be signs of type 2 diabetes. If you notice these symptoms, you will want to contact your physician as soon as possible. They will likely ask you to come in for a fasting blood glucose test to determine if you have developed type 2 diabetes or are on the borderline of doing so.

Plan Ahead If You Want to Have Children

If you are planning to have children and you have PCOS, you will want to begin planning it well in advance. Having children with PCOS is not impossible but is often quite difficult and may be unlikely to achieve without the help of fertility treatments.

Many women with PCOS do not ovulate regularly. Because of this, it is difficult to conceive a child and to know when you should be trying to do so. As such, you and a fertility specialist (or simply your OB/GYN) can work together to find a treatment plan that works for you. This can include medications to stimulate ovulation as well as possible in vitro procedures and the like.

In order to best time any potential pregnancies, you will want to plan ahead so you can begin fertility treatments as soon as possible. This is particularly important because it can take several rounds of treatment to successfully become pregnant.

Try to Exercise a Little Every Day

In addition to keeping some of the major health concerns in mind when you have PCOS, it is also even more important for you as a woman with this condition than for women without it to get a little exercise every day. With PCOS, it is incredibly easy to gain weight but even more difficult to lose weight.

Additionally, PCOS increases a woman's risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and having a stroke. This makes it incredibly important to get regular exercise, preferably every day. You should strive to get cardiovascular exercise that is moderate to strenuous at least three to five times a day as well as engage in lighter cardio and resistance training a few times a week. Even if you can only get a short walk in every day, doing so will reduce these risks and help you to better manage your weight with PCOS.

These tips will help you to better manage your PCOS and your overall health so that you can move forward after your diagnosis with your health as your top priority. For more information, talk to a professional like Women's Care Inc.

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