Hello all! I am looking for a little information and advice.
My sister-in-law has been suffering from irregular periods, bad PMS and cramps, some excess hair growth, and quite bad acne since she was a teen. She is not overweight. She is 23. I am wondering if she might have PCOS (she has never been tested). She is desperate to find some way to manage the acne, and has tried a few different prescription medications, as well as mail-order cleansers, etc. These things seem to work for a couple of months, but then she's back to square one. Currently her doctor thinks that the acne is because of a hormonal problem, and put her on the pill. This is her third cycle on the pill, and she is finding that the acne is TERRIBLE during the week off. After doing a little reading on PCOS and insulin resistance and elevated testosterone levels, I am wondering if the low-GI diet that has been recommended would help her. Is there anyone who has tried that diet? What exactly is permitted, and what should be avoided?
Also, what would be involved in testing her for PCOS? Is it difficult to diagnose? I suggested that once she is off the pill again, she should learn to temp and chart to find out if she is ovulating, but is there some simpler, quicker way?
Do her symptoms sound like PCOS to you? Or is this probably something else, IYO? Can PCOS be hereditary, or "run" in families? Her mother had it.
Of course, I know that in order to get some real answers, she has to go to her doctor, but I think it might be helpful if she can go to him with some research, and some questions about the cause of her acne problems, rather than having him just try to patch them up!
Thanks so much for your help!