A response to a recent blogger about PCOS and Depression

Dear Recent Blogger,

You wrote in to our PCOS Support Blog last week requesting a private response from one of our Doctors.

Dr. Heather and I have tried to reach you several times at the email address you provided with no luck. Your concerns are important to us and we really want to help you.

I am posting Dr. Heather’s response to you in the hope that you are continuing to visit our Support Blog and will read this post.

Please know that you are not alone! We are here to help, advise and support you. Please stay in touch with us through this blog or by emailing us at [email protected].

With sincere wishes for your improving health,

Catherine, Editor

PCOS Support Blog

Dr. Heather’s response:

Thank you for contacting Insulite Labs. I am sorry to hear how you are
feeling. We have had several inquiries lately about PCOS with anxiety and/or
depression.

It is often difficult to get other people to understand how depression can
affect our lives if they have not experienced the feelings. Although I do
feel that there are ways that people can work toward understanding how this
can affect women with PCOS.

You already know how PCOS is affecting your life but I want to include some
information that you can share with your husband.

You are not alone in noticing that PCOS may have something to do with your
depression. Women with PCOS are more likely to experience anxiety and
depression, although the reasons for this are not entirely known.

These mood disorders can also be caused by hormone problems. Many women with
PCOS may find themselves more anxious or depressed by their appearance or
their inability to become pregnant.

The hormonal imbalance of PCOS (elevated testosterone and DHEA-S) could be
implicated, as well as the insulin resistance which underlies PCOS. Also,
simply the stress of living with a condition like PCOS which affects
appearance (hair growth, weight, acne, etc.) is of course associated with
emotional health.

Here are two references to scientific papers that address anxiety in women:

1. Weiner et al. Androgens and mood dysfunction in women: comparison of
women with polycystic ovarian syndrome to healthy controls. Psychosom Med.
2004 May-Jun;66(3):356-62. PMID: 15184695 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

2. Elsenbruch et al. Quality of life, psychosocial well-being, and sexual
satisfaction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol
Metab. 2003 Dec;88(12):5801-7. PMID: 14671172 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

There is a startling lack of information on this topic, i.e. on the
physiological reasons behind this phenomenon. However, I would guess that
improving the insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance of PCOS would help
improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

I have also seen a few postings on depression worsening with the use of
Metformin. Although it was not common, it seems to have worsened the
depression in a few women with PCOS. I would talk to your doctor about this
and see if there is another option, such as Glucophage (very similar to
metformin).

One other thing that you may want to pay attention to is your glucose
levels. If your blood sugar drops too low, depression can worsen. It is very
important to eat regularly, including protein with each meal and snack.
Snacks may be 4 ounces of low fat plain yogurt, a hard boiled egg, 2
tablespoons of nuts, cut up veggies and some hummus or bean dip, etc.

Also, I am not sure it you are interested in a non-pharmacological
approach to PCOS, but is so I would recommend the Insulite PCOS System.

We have not designed the Insulite PCOS System to help specifically with
depression. However, the System is designed to target the underlying cause
of PCOS, which theoretically would improve all of the symptoms of PCOS.

In addition, we have had many customers comment that their moods improved
when they started using the System: increased energy, increased sense of
well being, etc. I don’t know how this would translate for you, but I must
say that I am hopeful it would have a positive effect. At the very least, I
don’t anticipate the Insulite PCOS System would worsen your depression
symptoms and may help you in reducing the other medication.

Are you getting support from a counselor or a group. I bet there are
support groups to help you get through this really hard time. Maybe it would
help to talk to other women with depression? Here are some websites where
you can link up with other women talking about depression:

http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/OnlineSupport.html
http://support4hope.com/discus/index.html

I know that when asked the question if you want to or are thinking about
ending your life can be frustrating. However, it is important to ask to be
sure that those asking know a bit about where you are emotionally and how to
best follow up.

So, right now you are getting tested (hormones), will this test include
vitamin D testing as well since it was recommended that you start to use it?
Vitamin D can be very effective in treating depression but ultimately
finding out why and addressing that will be the best option.

Here is a link to our blog where we posted study results regarding
depression and PCOS:
https://www.pcos.com/blog/index.php/insulin-resistance/can-polycysti
c-ovarian-syndrome-pcos-cause-depression and
https://pcos.com/what-is-the-connection-between-pcos-and-mood-swings/ (there is information
about half way down the page on this topic)

Here is a link that summarizes some research and the connection between PCOS
and depression: http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/news19.html and another:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_22_40/ai_n15954186

Lastly, here is a link from a support website for women with PCOS. What is
nice is that they have a section for husbands and boyfriends. He can browse around
and see if he might want to ask what others have experienced and how they
came to understand PCOS and how it affects the loved on in their life.

I hope that this helps some and that you start to feel like yourself
again. Please let me know if I can help further.

Best Wishes,
Dr. Heather DeLuca, ND
Insulite Laboratories Consulting & Advisory teams

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this email
and the Insulite Labs website is for the sole purpose
of being informative. This information is not and
should not be used or relied upon as medical advice.
Always seek the advice of your physician, nurse or
other qualified health care provider before you
undergo any treatment, take any medication,
supplements or other nutritional support, or for
answers to any questions you may have regarding a
medical condition.


Next Steps

  1. Take the PCOS Quiz!  Get your score and assess your hormone health risks.
  2. Join our Facebook Sisterhood Group Pose your questions to this group of like-minded women. Get the answers to your questions and the support you need.
  3. Checkout the Hormone Reset. Guided Practices to eliminate anxiety, lose weight and boost energy.

We are committed to helping women reverse their symptoms of hormone imbalance – a major cause of excess weight gain, adult acne, unwanted facial hair, depression, anxiety, and heartbreaking female infertility.

©Insulite Health empowers women with hormone imbalance to transform their lives through a process of healing with the Natural Hormone Solution  –a complete solution for helping women reverse the symptoms hormone imbalance..