PCOS and stress

I'm miserable and lonely and stressed out, so I'm hanging out here.

Found this in my e-mail, and thought I'd pass it on to all other 'cysters' out there: http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/news74.html#sec1 It's about the effects of stress on women with PCOS. (All I had to say was: It's NOT my fault for being stressed out and anxious about everything???)


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.

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