PCOS Treatment with a Dietitian Nutritionist in the St. Louis Area, Missouri, and Illinois

Manage Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with Medical Nutrition Therapy - Take Control of Your Wellness

What is PCOS?

PCOS is called polycystic ovarian syndrome which is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. According to the WHO, approximately 8 - 13% of women have this condition and almost 70% of them go undiagnosed, worldwide.

What are common symptoms of PCOS?

Irregular Periods: Women with PCOS often have infrequent, irregular, or prolonged menstrual cycles.

Excess Androgen: Elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) can lead to physical signs such as excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), severe acne, and male-pattern baldness.

Polycystic Ovaries: The ovaries might be enlarged and contain numerous small fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs. Despite the name, not all women with PCOS have cysts on their ovaries.

Other Serious Health Problems: Type II diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and endometrial cancer are all associated with PCOS. It is the most common cause of anovulation and leading cause of infertility. Often women who struggle with PCOS to struggle with body image.

Though there is no cure for PCOS, by working with an expert dietitian nutritionist from our team, either with our online telehealth platform or in-person at our nutritionist offices near St. Louis, you can implement sustainable dietary interventions, improve your eating habits, and learn to manage symptoms related to PCOS. We also work with patients to improve their relationship with food and body and improve their body self esteem.

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What causes PCOS?

Unfortunately, there is no direct answer to this. It is assumed that genetics and environmental factors play a part. Several risk factors are believed to contribute to its development, including:

Hormonal Imbalance: Women with PCOS often have elevated levels of androgens (male hormones), which can interfere with the development and release of eggs during ovulation.

Insulin Resistance: Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, meaning their bodies do not use insulin effectively. This can lead to higher insulin levels, which may increase androgen production and cause difficulty with ovulation.

Low-Grade Inflammation: Research suggests that women with PCOS often have low-grade inflammation, which can stimulate polycystic ovaries to produce androgens.

Genetics: PCOS can run in families, suggesting a genetic component. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you might have a higher risk of developing it.

Nutrition Choices: A diet high in refined carbohydrates, can exacerbate insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances, contributing to the development and severity of PCOS symptoms.

As dietitian nutritionists, we help our patients manage and treat PCOS through sustainable dietary interventions. So many women feel dismissed by the medical community. Your symptoms are not in your head, and with some modifications to your diet, you can start to feel better.

Make an appointment with your personal nutritionist, and receive evidence-based medical nutrition therapy either online or in-person at our offices in Missouri and Illinois.

Start to feel better today.

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What is the treatment for PCOS?

Most doctors will come in and recommend weight loss as the first form of treatment to PCOS. We cringe at this! Ugh! While some may be successful at weight loss in the beginning in a desperate attempt to control the symptoms, it can often backfire and cause further disordered eating patterns or a full blown eating disorder.

In our practice, we like to take the intuitive eating, health at every size (HAES) approach when it comes to PCOS, work on offering a balance of nutrition and “fun foods” and mindful movement. We also recommend a team approach with having a HAES therapist and OB/GYN.

Can I get pregnant with PCOS?

While we can’t promise anything, most women with PCOS are still able to conceive with the help of medications to induce ovulation. Anxiety around trying to conceive can definitely be high, and therefore, we like to help our clients to lessen their anxiety related to eating by helping them implement strategies to normalize their eating patterns and feeling confident in their skin so they can worry less about food and more about preparing for a sweet baby.

A healthy diet preconception will always benefit any woman who is preparing for pregnancy.

How to fight PCOS with diet and nutrition?

Our approach at Branz Nutrition is to prioritize a sense of calmness around foods with an intuitive eating approach, putting weight loss on the back burner and working to nourish the body with a variety of foods removing the label of “good” versus “bad” food.

What does a dietitian do for PCOS?

A dietitian in our practice can help by challenging any food rules or beliefs one may have when it comes to nourishing their body with PCOS, working to squash diet culture beliefs, while improving confidence in our bodies with mindful movement. Your body is not broken, our society and diet culture is. Here’s how we can help:

Personalized Meal Plans: We can help create individualized meal plans that focus on balanced nutrition, taking into account specific needs, your favorite flavors and family traditions, and health conditions.
Blood Sugar Control: Education is key. We empower you to choose foods that help stabilize blood sugar levels, including high-fiber foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This is important since many women with PCOS have insulin resistance.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Again, by incorporating a variety of foods that reduce inflammation, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fatty fish, we can help you manage PCOS symptoms.
Reducing Processed Foods: There are no "good foods" and "bad foods". It's important to choose foods that nourish us. So, yes, enjoy your fries and indulge every now and again. Modify and moderate. By reducing processed and high-sugar foods, you can help manage insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances.
Healthy Eating Habits: It’s not only WHAT we eat but HOW we eat that makes a difference in our health and well-being. This is where intuitive eating comes in. We promote regular meals and snacks to help maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent overeating.
Nutritional Education: We will educate you about key nutrients to improve your PCOS symptoms that can support hormone balance and overall health. You will become a master of food label reading (even in your cosmetics).
Support and Monitoring: A PCOS nutritionist will provide ongoing support in order to adjust dietary plans as needed. We are also here to provide you with the emotional support you need to keep motivated and adhere to dietary changes.

By working with a PCOS dietitian, women with PCOS can better manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life. Reduce the risk of associated health problems like diabetes and heart disease, improve your relationship with food and body, implement intuitive eating practices, and begin to feel better today.

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