PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Nutrition

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS, is a common disease in women. It is also more common today in women of childbearing age.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) was first defined by Stein and Leventhal in 1938 as menstrual disorder, obesity, hair growth, sclerocystic ovaries and sterility.

Whose Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is Most Common?

1 or 2 out of every 10 women of reproductive age are affected by PCOS. People in high risk groups;

• Those with Obesity Disease

• Those with a medical history and family history of PCOS

• Diabetes etc. Those who have problems.

Many women with polycystic ovaries due to obesity, that is, indirectly due to their diet, are now undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, etc., just to have a baby and to easily follow the PCOS diet. They resort to obesity surgery surgeries and after weight loss surgery, a significant portion of them get rid of PCOS and can become pregnant.

Similarly, considering that insulin resistance also paves the way for the disease, another reason should be taken into consideration, justifying the importance of the diet to be applied.

What are the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

• Infertility.

• Menstrual irregularity.

• Increased hair growth, hair loss and acne (pimples)

• Depression and anxiety.

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• Sleep apnea.

What are the Complications of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

PCOS The following diseases are very likely to be seen in individuals with:

• Infertility

• Endometrium Cancer

• Hirsutism

• Nutrition Disorder

• Obesity

• Gestational Diabetes

• Cardiovascular Diseases

• Insulin Resistance

PCOS and Nutrition Treatment

It is known that healthy nutrition is the basis of being healthy. Weight loss is the basis of treatment in PCOS. What is PCOS? Therefore, the increase in fat tissue in parallel with the increase in body weight leads to hormone imbalance, which is one of the indications and complications of the disease.

Obese women with PCOS lose only 5-10% of their weight within 6 months. It was stated that metabolic and hormonal disorders improved in 55-100% of them.

Simple recommendations regarding nutrition to ensure blood sugar control are listed below;

• Meals should not be skipped and their timing should be avoided. should not be delayed; At least 3 meals and 2-3 snacks should be made throughout the day.

• Sugary foods, ready-made foods, refined carbohydrates (white bread, etc.), starchy foods that pass quickly into the blood and raise blood sugar. Foods with high glycemic load such as (potatoes, etc.), bananas, grapes and dried fruits should be avoided.

• Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, peas, etc., which slow down the transfer of blood sugar into the blood. Foods rich in fiber should be consumed.

• Alcoholic beverages with high carbohydrate content should not be consumed (beer, etc.), stimulants such as tea, coffee, and cigarettes should be avoided.

• Allergenic foods that may increase stress on the body and cause irregularities in blood sugar should be avoided.

• Stress Management – ​​stress increases blood sugar and high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, It exacerbates insulin resistance.

• Moderate exercise lasting at least 20 minutes should be done three days a week. Exercise lowers insulin levels and helps reduce body fat and gain muscle.

• Trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats; Trans fatty acids and hydrogenated oils, which damage normal hormone system functions, should be avoided.

• The importance of fiber; Foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, oats, whole grains, and legumes, also ensure the excretion of hormones through the feces. In those with constipation, hormones are reabsorbed and estrogen is transformed into harmful metabolites by bacteria in the intestines.

• Phytoestrogens; soybeans, soy drinks, tofu, barley, oats, legumes, lentils, rice, beans, flaxseed, Vegetable phytoestrogens, found in foods such as sesame, strawberry, cherry, apple, carrot, wheat germ and rice bran, help reduce the effect of excess estrogen by binding at the receptor level and have a weaker estrogenic effect than estrogen.


In conclusion; Nutrition is of great importance in the treatment of PCOS. The symptoms of this disease can be improved by changing lifestyle, regular and balanced nutrition, and physical activity.

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