How PCOS can affect your self esteem:
Having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) means dealing with a lot of unwanted physical and mental changes which can eventually play a role in affecting your self esteem.
Symptoms of PCOS
These include skin conditions such as acne, hyper pigmentation, scarring, psoriasis as well as an oily scalp and skin. It is also common to have excess hair growth, loss and thinning of hair on the scalp area, and weight gain. 40% of women with PCOS also suffer from mental illness such as depression and anxiety. It is one of the leading causes of infertility.
Having to live with these conditions can become very overwhelming, and make you feel discouraged and estranged. This is when your self esteem may take a knock, it is important to be around people who make you feel accepted and uplift you.
Tips to boost your self esteem:
It is so important to find an understanding partner who accepts your struggle and supports you. Set boundaries around people or things that you feel could be a trigger. Validate your feelings, find a balance within your emotions and accept the bad days as well as the good.
How to manage skin symptoms and weight gain:
Thankfully there are many evidence-based treatment options for PCOS. It is also best to consult a specialist as to which treatment would work best for your skin type. For skin related issues, mainly lifestyle changes are recommended, including planned weight loss via diet modification and exercise.
Hormonal birth control, prescribed medication to lower insulin resistance or even seeing a laser hair removal specialists are good options to try.
Maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet along with a balanced diet and exercise, as well as hormone balancing treatments is a good option to manage weight gain and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
We understand that in most cases, it is easier said than done, but that’s why we are here to help. Take it one step at a time, and try to practice small tasks daily. Allow yourself to heal from the bad days and enjoy the good ones. Embrace the changes and try to remain positive.
