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PCOS and Anxiety
March 20, 2009 |
It can be mentally and emotionally draining for women: irregular periods, hormonal
imbalance, and the increased risk of fertility. But researchers are looking into
another emotional struggle for women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: anxiety
and depression.
“Fifty percent of women with PCOS are also overweight, 50% are insulin resistant,
so they are diabetic or pre-diabetic,” says Dr. Paul Joslyn, an OB-GYN on the medical
staff of Lee Memorial Health System.
With PCOS comes acne, weight gain, extra hair on the face and the body, all of which
could be contributors. But Dr. Joslyn says separating the mind and the body can
be difficult. “Does that affect your anxiety and eating disorders or do the eating
disorders, which came first, its hard to say,” adds Dr. Joslyn.
Researchers say that the mood disorders tend to increase during the course of the
disease so it’s important to maintain a very healthy lifestyle. Dr. Joslyn encourages
women to seek out medical attention
if indeed they are experiencing severe mood
swings. Doctors add that regular exercise, a healthy diet, and prescribed medication
can help to alleviate some of the emotional discomforts that
come with PCOS.
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