“My Girlfriend Has PCOS”: 15 Ways To Be There For Her

Do you have a partner in your life or any females like your girlfriend, friends, mother, aunts, daughters, nieces, etc. who are dealing with PCOS? Well this article is for you. Let’s dive into some ways you can be a good partner, parent or friend and help out in these situations! But first let’s look at 

 

What Is PCOS ?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It is a common hormonal disorder that affects people with ovaries, typically during their reproductive years. PCOS can cause a variety of symptoms and health concerns, including irregular menstrual cycles, ovulation issues, excess androgen production, ovarian cysts, insulin resistance, weight gain or loss, and an increased risk of other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea.

 

How To Tell Whether My Girlfriend Has PCOS?

Here are some signs that could potentially suggest PCOS:

• Irregular Menstrual Cycles: If your girlfriend’s menstrual cycles are irregular, meaning they vary significantly in length or she misses periods frequently, it could be a sign of PCOS.

• Excess Hair Growth: If she’s experiencing hirsutism, which is excessive hair growth on the face, chest, back, or other areas where men typically grow hair, it might be indicative of PCOS.

• Acne and Oily Skin: Persistent acne and oily skin, particularly if it’s not typical for her, could be related to hormonal imbalances seen in PCOS.

• Scalp Hair Thinning: Male-pattern baldness or thinning of the hair on the scalp, known as androgenic alopecia, can be associated with PCOS.

• Weight Gain or Difficulty Losing Weight: If she’s struggling with weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, and has difficulty losing weight despite efforts, it might be linked to PCOS, especially if accompanied by insulin resistance.

• Skin Changes: Dark patches of skin, called acanthosis nigricans, can appear in body creases and folds and might be a sign of insulin resistance, which is often present in PCOS.

• Ovarian Cysts: It’s important to note that not everyone with PCOS develops ovarian cysts, so their presence isn’t a definitive indicator. However, if your girlfriend experiences pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, it could be related to cysts.

• Fertility Issues: If she’s having trouble conceiving or has experienced multiple miscarriages, PCOS could be a potential factor.

 

How Do I Support My Girlfriend And Deal With PCOS By Her Side?

Supporting your girlfriend as she deals with PCOS involves being understanding, empathetic, and informed about the condition. Here are some ways you can provide support:

• Educate Yourself: Learn about PCOS, its symptoms, treatment options, and potential challenges. This will help you understand what your girlfriend is going through and enable you to offer informed support.

• Open Communication: Encourage open and honest conversations about how she’s feeling physically and emotionally. Let her know you’re there to listen and support her without judgment.

• Accompany Her to Appointments: Offer to go with her to doctor’s appointments if she’s comfortable with it. Having a supportive partner by her side can help her feel more at ease and ensure that she gets the information she needs.

• Lifestyle Support: If she’s making changes to her lifestyle to manage PCOS symptoms, such as adopting a healthier diet or exercising more, consider participating together. Engaging in activities like cooking healthy meals or going for walks, exercising together at the gym or running together can make the process more enjoyable and encourage her to stick with her goals.

• Emotional Support: PCOS can impact her self-esteem due to symptoms like weight gain, hair growth, and acne. Offer compliments and words of encouragement to help her feel confident and beautiful.

• Be Patient: PCOS is a complex condition, and managing its symptoms can take time. Be patient with any changes in her mood, energy levels, or physical appearance.

• Quit Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of heart disease with PCOS and if you’re trying for a baby, it’s a definite no. So if either of you smokes, quit together!

• Sleep Well and on Time: Lack of sleep can disrupt her hormone function, so the next episode on Netflix can wait! If you’re both night owls, start going to bed earlier and encourage your partner to do the same. Banish devices such as your smartphones at least an hour before you go to sleep.
• Research Treatment Options: If your girlfriend is exploring different treatment options, help her research and discuss the pros and cons of each with her. This can empower her to make informed decisions about her health.

• Manage Stress: Stress can exacerbate PCOS symptoms. Encourage relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Consider doing these activities together to make them more enjoyable.

• Show Empathy: PCOS symptoms can be challenging physically and emotionally. Show empathy by listening, validating her feelings, and offering reassurance to your girlfriend. 

• Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrate your girlfriend’s achievements, whether they’re related to lifestyle changes, treatment progress, or simply managing daily challenges.

• Seek Professional Support: If her symptoms are causing significant distress, suggest seeking support from a therapist or counselor who can help her navigate the emotional aspects of dealing with PCOS.

• Advocate for Self-Care: Encourage her to prioritize self-care and take time for activities she enjoys. Remind her that her well-being matters.

• Maintain a Balanced Diet Together: It’s likely that your partner’s PCOS will cause insulin resistance. High levels of insulin can increase androgens and make her symptoms worse. Have fun cooking food together that will manage her insulin levels. Make sure to include foods that are high in fiber, whole grains, anti-inflammatory foods such as nuts, tomatoes and olive oil. 

 

The ten modern lifestyle root causes for hormonal imbalance related to PCOS that may on some level lead to multiple problems for your girlfriend are:

• Food Related Causes– Inflammation, toxicity, acidity, excess male hormones, insulin resistance.
• Exercise Related Causes: Sedentary lifestyle, lack of muscle strength, excess ovarian fat.
• Sleep Related Causes: Poor sleep quality (Lack of Deep Sleep).
• Stress Related Causes: Chronic Stress.  Addressing these triggers through an integrated approach can naturally restore hormonal balance.

 

 

How can the Five Pillars Integrated Lifestyle Approach Help You to Have Hormonal Balance and Help With Your Girlfriend’s PCOS Journey?

• Eat Right: Embrace living, water-rich, whole, plant-based foods that nurture our genetic potential. By opting for local and seasonal choices, we honour nature’s wisdom. Eliminating packaged and processed foods liberates us from epigenetic imprints, elevating our hormonal health.

• Move More: Embark on a journey of holistic lifestyle changes, where staying active transcends mere exercise. Embracing constant movement throughout the day optimizes epigenetic expression, igniting hormonal balance. Engage in pleasurable physical activities, dance, or even mindful walks to unlock the power of epigenetic triggers.

• Breathe Aware: As we deepen our understanding of Pranayama, the science of breath, we access a profound gateway to support gland function and harmonize hormones. Harnessing the breath’s epigenetic influence, we transcend the ordinary and elevate our hormonal well-being.

• Sleep Better: Unlock the secrets of deep sleep, a transformative practice for healing and regeneration. With the art of Yog Nidra, we embrace epigenetic potential, unearthing hormonal harmony in the realm of dreams. Rejuvenate your entire being through this exquisite dance with the epigenetic clock.
• Mind Free: Journey into the realm of emotions, thoughts, and stress resilience, where journaling, gratitude, and emotional practices become our guiding compass. Embracing epigenetic intelligence, we shift our narrative from stress to serenity, empowering our hormonal landscape.

 

Ultimately,

These signs and symptoms of PCOS can vary from person to person, and some individuals with PCOS might only experience a subset of these symptoms. Remember that everyone’s experience with PCOS is unique, so it’s important to tailor your support to her specific needs and preferences. Ultimately, the goal is to let your girlfriend know that you’re there for her, no matter what challenges she faces due to PCOS.

Treatment for PCOS depends on the individual’s specific symptoms and goals. It may include lifestyle changes like weight management, regular exercise, and a balanced diet that you can all be a part of during your girlfriend’s healing journey from PCOS!