Wow that was quite some time. So I was diagnosed PCOS many years ago...Followed a few PCOS diets, advice etc and it did not help. I was transferred to the US for work and decided to revisit PCOS since I got married and am planning for kids. Being there, I get more medical advice and options - more exposure to lots of lab results. It was found that my body has a lot of toxins - heavy metal, chemicals, pesticides etc you name it. It is very common in most bodies given the environment we are in and the stress we face. I made pretty huge changes slowly (don’t give yourself stress during this lifestyle change - do it slowly and to your budget). I prioritized like what I use the most and slowly changed over 6-8 months.
The very first thing I did was filtering my water because it’s something I drink everyday, I got a reverse osmosis system (house is rented so gotta get a stand-alone, using aquatru.. under the sink is cheaper and plumber can do it easily). I slowly changed my diet; processed food first to be out, more vegetables... Seafood has a lot of toxins (but I love it) so I try as best as I can to take only wild ones or those with sustainable practices. The same goes for meat, my chicken is either organic or from a clean farm (in Sg, those are kampung chickens). That being said, I still eat crap once in a while. As you would know, most of our food are GMO and lots of pesticides. My vegetables and fruits are mostly organic or whenever possible - dirty dozen list (google ewg dirty dozen) 100% organic. I changed my make up, soaps, shampoos etc. it’s tough to find a good shampoo so I try and find one as clean as possible and doesn’t make my scalp itch (using Giovianni). There are a lot of clean make ups - fit glow, 100% pure, crunchi etc etc (google organic bunny - she has strict standards). I have an air filter used when I’m sleeping (not the best in the market but better than nothing). Changed my pots and pans and using non toxic types - If you want brand names, Xtrema for ceramic; field company or lodge or le creuset for cast iron; all-clad for stainless steel... I stopped the use of plastic, only using glass or silicone (make sure it’s platinum grade or 100% silicone.. not mixed with crap). My shower has a filter too - I am using aquasana ($70 usd per filter every 6 months). Make sure you get good sleep and rest (I am guilty of it). Also, get stress level down.. I meditate sometimes.. step out when I get too stressed with work..
In Dec 2019, I went back to SG and so I decided to do medical checkup too.. I like to get both sides of info. I also decided to try IUI cuz I want a kid and my husband isn’t young.. I don’t want to wait till I’m older - egg reserve and quality will be affected. My first iui was not successful (timing issue as I only saw the doc on like 5th day menses and my husband’s sperms isn’t like top quality although acceptable) although my scan results showed not polycystic this time round. But you know, polycystic stays for life so that tag will never be removed from me. Don’t worry just because you are PCOS cuz I know 9/10 women who are PCOS and who still have babies. The iui injections messed up my hormones quite a little and with the covid situation in the US, I’m just trying naturally for now.