How to change your diet and exercise routine if you have PCOS

By Shweta Goswami 

PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome as we all know is one of the most common hormonal disorders for women. But when you've been diagnosed with it, no matter how severe your symptoms are, from excess hair to spots, irregular or absent periods and weight gain, it can be really hard to know what to do next. Firstly, it's important to remember that although PCOS is related to our hormone levels, and insulin production, it's not your 'fault' if you have it. The symptoms can sometimes, however, be managed and hopefully, improved through diet and exercise. 

1. If you are overweight (with a BMI of over 25) even a small reduction in weight can significantly improve symptoms, including a low mood or depression.  

2. Keep your sugar controlled; as you can't handle high sugar levels in PCOS. So, your diet is a chance to really change things and this can also help you in future too, during pre-menopause and before and during pregnancy. By keeping your weight stable, your pregnancy is likely to be more straightforward health wise.  

Here I have listed out few important Do’s to do if you have PCOS: 

1. Focus on nutrition, not diet 

Eat clean. Have lots of leafy green vegetables, blueberries, pineapples and a focus on whole foods and sources of protein like fish, eggs and chicken breast, and good fats like nuts and avocado. Also add spices like turmeric, cinnamon, fenugreek, and ginger, that are anti-inflammatory and believed to help with insulin resistance. 

2. Cut out processed foods 

It simply means swapping fruit drinks and smoothies for whole fruit, because they contain more fibre, which is vital for a healthy gut. Fruits low in fructose are best, like grapefruits, lime, lemon, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. 

3. Try and balance your blood sugar throughout the day 

Start with breakfast. Don't leave home with an empty stomach and then grab a sandwich at 12 or simply a big aaple. Just make sure

Prepare yourself for IVF Treatment

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Before the beginning of IVF treatment everyone has this question in mind; how do I prepare myself for this? So, here is your answer. Today in this blog I will mention few tips on how to prepare oneself for the IVF treatment. 

1. First of all start an exercise routine as exercising and remaining active is not just good for fertility health but also for the overall body. It opens up the muscles and makes them flexible. Furthermore, it regulates blood flow

 in the body. This makes the body much more responsive to medications given during the treatment. 

2. You can also try your hand at Yoga. It may sound same like exercise for some people but yoga is much more than just something that improves the flexibility and stamina of the body. It calms the mind and creates an emotional balance amongst the people who do it. It harmonizes the whole body and lots regular practice prevents the person from the maximum amounts of diseases also, it also strengthens the immunity system. 

3. Eat a good fertility diet. What you eat is directly affects your overall wellbeing. It is very important for a woman to eat a healthy holistic diet to enhance the fertility. For example - Vitamin C is very important to women undergoing IVF as

Every woman should know these 4 things

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Being a Gynecologist and IVF specialist it is my duty to inform all the women I know about few things. No matter what if you are a student, a housewife, a working professional, a mother or a grandmother, you should get informed about these below mentioned things. 

1. PCOS and PCOD: 

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease are the disease both associated with ovaries; ovaries are the very important part of women’s reproductive body. PCOS is an endocrine system disorder in which woman’s levels of sex hormones estrogen and progesterone gets out of balance. This leads to growth of ovarian cysts. PCOD is a condition developed by the hormonal imbalance, which lead to collection of mature eggs in the ovary, as they cannot be discharged. These also become cysts and some of the cysts lead to more cysts and this cycle goes on. One of the causes would be insulin diet; hormonal disturbances or stress that leads to PCOD. 

Symptoms:    

• you  have irregular menstrual cycle or prolonged cycles (beyond 35 days or so)   
• increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes   
• your skin is breaking out or you get acne, oily skin, or you are getting dandruff   
• you have gained extra weight around your tummy   
• darkening of skin around your neck  

  

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2. POF: 

Premature ovarian failure refers to a loss of normal function of your ovaries before the age of 40. If your ovaries fail, they don't produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. In simple words, you get menopause before the age of 40. 

Symptoms:          

• Vaginal dryness 
• Hot flashes 
• Mood swings 
• Lack of sleep 
• Reduced sex drive 

3. Thyroid: 

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones. For women, there is

When to go for fertility treatment?

By Dr. Shweta Goswami   

Infertility or unable to conceive is a common problem in today’s modernized society. Today, fertility treatment is a gift of modern science which has helped millions of couples across the globe to conceive.   

Often the question arises when should we seek for fertility treatment? Consider following points if:   

• You haven’t conceived even after having one-year of regular unprotected sex, see a fertility specialist  
• You are under 35 who find it difficult getting pregnant after having regular unprotected intercourse for a year must seek medical help.   
• You are over 35 and having difficulty conceiving after having six months of regular unprotected sex must opt for fertility treatments.   
• You are having irregular menstrual and ovulation patterns poses a high risk for infertility. If you are going through these issues, then it is highly recommended to see a fertility specialist to increase your chances of getting pregnant.  
• Either of the partners has been

Let’s talk about myths and facts about infertility

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

There are many myths associated with infertility and IVF treatment. Today let’s burst some myths and consider facts about it. 

Myth No.1: Infertility is a psychological problem, not a physical one! 

Fact: Friends and family may suggest that infertility is due to you being under stress or due to worrying too much. While infertility is usually a condition of the reproductive system, in 30% of cases the cause is unexplained. Stress in any situation is never good for your health and studies indicate that time to achieve pregnancy can be reduced and success rates for achieving pregnancy increased by cutting down on stress. Start relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation for about 10-20 minutes a day, which can relieve your stress and improve your overall well-being. 

Myth No. 2: A woman can get pregnant only on a single day of her menstrual cycle. 

Fact: The fertile window is the six-days that end on the day of ovulation. Pregnancy is most likely to occur with intercourse within the three days before ovulation. Keep track of ovulation with the calendar method (ovulation occurs around 14 days before the menstrual period is due) or by using an ovulation predictor kit. Frequent sex boosts your chances of conceiving. It’s important to have a happy sex life. Be relaxed and have sex often throughout the month. 

Myth No.3: Infertility treatment is expensive 

Fact: In some cases infertility treatment can be expensive, but in many cases, it is simple, brief and inexpensive.  The sooner patients

Fertility over 40, what’s the secret?

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Age is one such issue which tops the list if you want to become pregnant because you can’t do anything about it. There’s no medicine, no cure for old age and the disabilities that come with it. The only thing you can do is plan your future well and make the best of today. The ideal age for pregnancy is the mid-to-late 20s. If you want to wait, then you can push that limit to 35. After 35, the chances of a successful pregnancy start declining. 

IVF, for so long considered the only hope for women who are unable to fall pregnant on their own but I believe that IVF isn't the only answer for women wanting to get pregnant. 

There are other options too and that many could find their fertility better boosted through acupuncture, making simple lifestyle changes and, actually, just having more sex. I've known many patients who wanted to go for IVF treatment and aren't regularly having sex. Often people are looking for every possible option not but sex. Physical intimacy between couples is of utmost importance. They've created a joyless life for themselves and they're doing endless yoga or furiously

Eat good Eat right for your fertility

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

I have earlier also talked about the fertility diet but it's not only what you eat for your fertility, but how you eat too is also important. Too many of us are eating too late in the day or when we go to bed at night, we're meant to digest our day, not our dinner. Our lifestyle and health do not support fertility, particularly when we are waiting longer to get pregnant. It is very important to remember that the preparation of food itself is a bit like alchemy. 

Try these simple tips for preparing your food and the results will certainly follow : 

1. Try to make your dishes mainly plant-based, with a little high-quality meat included in your weekly diet. Cook mainly with second-pressed olive oil and use cold-pressed oils to add to food after cooking 

2.  Don't forget your nuts, vegetables and pulses for healthy fibre and limit sugar. 

3.  Remember your bones. Broth is nourishing and soothing to the digestion and has a reputation as a traditional healing food. Fertile contains a recipe for