Health and Fitness Coach Jillian Michaels has recently revealed that she had to struggle with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) when she was a teen.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), PCOS affects at least one in 10 women of reproductive age. In this condition, women have irregular menstrual cycles and increased levels of androgen, a male hormone. PCOS may also lead to the development of ovarian cysts.
The 45-year-old said she learned about PCOS at the age of 15 after experiencing severe pain in the abdomen. “I discovered it because I had a cyst burst on one of my ovaries.” Michaels shared with Yahoo Lifestyle.
She recalled that her mother thought Michaels’ appendix was about to burst. She was takento the ER where doctors found her ovarian cyst had burst.
Her doctor advised her to start taking birth control pills, which is a commonly recommended treatment for PCOS. Birth control pills contain hormones that help regulate periods and reduce androgen levels. However, Michaels refused to take the medication.
Michaels had a burst cyst again at the age of 21, which she said was a wakeup call to her. “And then I began to try to understand it,” she recalled. “Instead of throwing more drugs at the problem, I looked at why does the problem exist.”
The fitness enthusiast found out that there is a link between insulin resistance and PCOS. “Insulin resistance is one of the root physiological imbalances in most, if not all, PCOS,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Michaels decided to change her diet to overcome PCOS. She said, “No fake sugars, no processed sugars, no processed grains – things that drive insulin to the roof. And over time, I pretty much had the situation under control.”
“I haven’t had an issue in about 20 years,” she continued. “It’s about eating right, working out, and eating clean. A lot of chemicals that are in our food wreak havoc on your endocrine system.”
However, she clarified that it was her personal choice of not taking birth control pills to treat PCOS. “I’m not saying if your doctor puts you on a birth control pill, say no,” cautioned Michaels. “I’m just saying for me personally, I was able to manage the situation with lifestyle.”
