PCOS Review Newsletter #74

A free health newsletter for women with polycystic ovary syndrome or polycystic ovaries.

Issue #074      January 30, 2009 Bill Slater, Research Associate

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) PCOS Women Super-Sensitive to Stress

2) Mothers of PCOS Daughters Have Heart Risk

3) The Power of Visioning

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1) PCOS Women Super-Sensitive to Stress

When's the last time your doctor asked you if you are under chronic stress? Or that it might have anything to do with your health?

Did you know that stress hormones may increase anxiety, excessive eating, weight gain, belly fat, infertility, miscarriage, ovarian cysts and a host of other health problems?

Chronic stress is a particular problem for women with PCOS because they appear to have an exaggerated response to stress, as shown in a recent study from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. Thirty two women with PCOS and 32 non-PCOS women had to do a public speaking assignment. Biochemical markers showed the PCOS women had a more stressful experience. They also showed increased psychological stress compare to the other group.

The authors concluded: "The altered stress reactivity in PCOS patients may constitute a link between depression, overweight, and the cardiovascular and diabetes risks associated with the diagnosis."

In other words, it's more important for you than other people to find ways to reduce chronic stress, regardless of its source.

Even though stress is "invisible", it is real. Stress management is important even if your doctor ignores it. Successful stress management will definitely help you improve your PCOS situation.

So what can you do?

You can refer to the Stress Management chapter in our PCOS diet book (chapter 14.2). It gives you dozens of useful stress reduction tips. Please implement some of our tips today!

Source:
Benson S et al, Disturbed stress responses in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2009 Jan 14. [Epub ahead of print]

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2) Mothers of PCOS Daughters Have Heart Risk

We know many of you are mothers of daughters who have polycystic ovarian syndrome. You may or may not have been diagnosed with PCOS yourself. But just because most of the research focuses on younger women, that does not mean that you also have some health issues to work on.

We came across an interesting study that was just released from Virginia Commonwealth University. 308 women with PCOS were interviewed about their mothers' medical history. Their mothers were also interviewed (if available) to determine whether they also had PCOS and also had a cardiovascular "event" such as a heart attack.

The researchers concluded: "PCOS-affected mothers of women with PCOS have a higher risk for cardiovascular events in comparison with non-PCOS mothers, and cardiovascular events appear to occur at an earlier than expected age in mothers with PCOS."

That is, if you (the mother) had PCOS or major symptoms of PCOS, you are in a somewhat higher risk category for cardiovascular problems. Menopause is not a protection because most of the mothers in this study were post-menopausal.

PCOS and its effects do not simply "disappear" because you are older.

We appreciate your concern about your daughter's health. Just don't forget to take good care of yourself too!

Eat a healthy diet. Remove sources of stress from your life. Get lots of exercise. Enjoy life.

Source:
Cheang KI et al, Risk of cardiovascular events in mothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, Endocr Pract. 2008 Dec;14(9):1084-94

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3) The Power of Visioning

Visioning is the ability to see your true destiny in life and fulfill your potential.

Everyone has a purpose and it's up to you to live out that purpose to your best of your ability. Some people know their true vision and are living it; some have an idea but are only half living it while others are completely lost and have no sense of direction.

Visioning can mean the difference between a life with meaning and purpose and one of randomness and chaos.

So how do you go about visioning?

Instead of writing down goals and dreams, begin by sitting quietly and emptying the mind. Begin by asking your higher self about directing you to live a life of joy, fulfillment and self purpose.

Do this while sitting in silence with no distractions. Try closing your eyes and just let go and don’t have any expectations. Don’t stop after one day. Continue doing this daily even if it’s only for 2 minutes. As answers come to you, continue to expand on them.

Remove your ego and any expectations you may have. Just let the Universe bring you answers.

Once you have a picture of your vision…
1. Write it down in detail.
2. Write down how it will make you feel.
3. Create a movie in your mind doing and living the picture of the vision you've created. Play your movie in your mind daily, even if it's only for 2 minutes a day.

These steps will begin to imprint your vision into your subconscious. In turn, your subconscious will automatically direct and guide you toward fulfillment of your vision.

Part of the process of healing PCOS is to live a life filled with deeper meaning and purpose.

Happy Visioning!

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Thought for Today: "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." -- Anais Nin