Introduce
You are likely well aware of how sensitive your body can be to changes in stress, weather, and lifestyle if you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). And you know what? Despite being romantic and revitalizing, the monsoon season also brings with it additional difficulties.
Does the tendency to snuggle up and avoid movement, the sudden humidity, the decrease in activity levels, and the increased appetites for fried treats seem familiar? The monsoon season can cause mood changes, acne, bloating, irregular periods, and other symptoms for women with PCOS. You can control your symptoms and even enjoy the rain if you practice mindfulness and make some wise dietary and lifestyle changes. Here’s how!
1. Why PCOS Can Be More Challenging During the Monsoon
- Managing PCOS during the monsoon season might be challenging. Even while the chilly wind could be comforting after the summer heat, it might cause hormonal and physical changes in your body
- Vitamin D, which is essential for hormone function, is decreased when there is less sunlight.
- Excessive humidity can exacerbate skin conditions like acne or oily skin, which are frequent in PCOS, and cause fatigue.
- Your motivation and mood may be affected by the gloomy weather, which may cause you to overindulge in comfort food or skip workouts.
- Rainy days can cause regular disruptions that impact energy levels, digestion, and sleep patterns.
Your body needs balance and rhythm to function, and the monsoon season frequently throws those things off. This season therefore calls for a more thoughtful and encouraging attitude, particularly for those with PCOS.
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Typical Monsoon Causes That Make PCOS Symptoms Worse
Let’s examine more closely what precisely makes PCOS symptoms worse during the rainy season:
- Cravings for sugary and fried foods
While piping hot samosas, pakoras, or sugary chai may be monsoon mainstays, you should avoid them if you have PCOS since they raise blood sugar, exacerbate insulin resistance, and encourage inflammation.
- A decrease in physical activity
Rain, wet roads, or just plain weather-induced sloth are the main reasons why people skip their workouts. However, inactivity can intensify mood swings, alter your hormonal balance, and cause you to gain more weight.
- Increased Infection Risk
Wetness and humidity facilitate the growth of bacterial or fungal diseases. In addition to their increased susceptibility to infections, women with PCOS frequently suffer from hormonal abnormalities.
- Disturbances in Mood
The feel-good hormone serotonin can be lowered by a lack of sunlight and gloomy days, which can lead to symptoms of PCOS that are frequently exacerbated, such as anxiety, irritability, or emotional eating.
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Clever Lifestyle & Diet Advice to Address PCOS During the Monsoon
After learning about the triggers, let’s concentrate on doable solutions that will keep your body in balance even on the wettest days.
Monsoon Diet Friendly for PCOS
Your rainy-season plate should resemble this:
Foods to Include
- Warm, cooked veggies such as well-washed spinach, pumpkin, carrots, and bottle gourd (lauki).
- Fruits with a low GI include guava, apples, pears, and berries in moderation.
- Complex carbohydrates include brown rice, oats, and millets (such as bajra and ragi) in place of refined grains.
- Foods high in protein include eggs, moong dal, chana, tofu, and paneer (in moderation).
- Digestive-supporting spices: Ajwain, cumin, ginger, and turmeric increase metabolism and lessen bloating.
Foods to Avoid
- Greasy and fried snacks
- During the rainy season, cold, fresh foods such as salads
- Processed foods and sweets
- Too much dairy if it exacerbates your bloating or acne
Natural Herbal Treatments
These safe and tried-and-true home cures include:
- Fenugreek (methi) water: To control insulin, soak a teaspoon of methi seeds in water overnight and drink it in the morning.
- Tea with spearmint has been shown to lower facial hair and testosterone levels.
- Tea made with ginger and tulsi: Promotes immunity and eases digestion.
- Cinnamon: Aids in blood sugar regulation. Add a little to tea or warm water.
Stress Reduction & Monsoon-Friendly Exercise
If you can’t go outside, try working out indoors instead. Here are some simple things you can do at home:
- Yoga: To promote hormonal balance, try postures like Butterfly, Cobra, and Child’s Pose.
- Zumba online or dancing exercises
- Bodyweight exercises for 15 to 20 minutes, such as planks, pushups, lunges, and squats
Mindfulness Practices
- Breathing techniques (Pranayama): To enhance concentration and lessen anxiety.
- To maintain mental toughness on depressing days, try gratitude journaling or meditation.
- Spend less time on screens and instead engage in relaxing pursuits like reading or listening to relaxing music.
- Professional Advice & Commonly Asked Questions
Can someone with PCOS occasionally eat fried food during the monsoon season?
Indeed, but moderation is essential. Try air-fried pakoras or substitute besan (gram flour) for maida if you’re craving them. Serve them with mint chutney rather than sweet sauces.
Which herbal drinks are excellent for PCOS during the monsoon season?
- Tea made with spearmint (balances hormones)
- Tea with ginger (helps with digestion)
- Tea with cinnamon (helps with insulin levels)
- Tulsi tea, which increases immunity
When it’s pouring outside, how can I be active indoors?
Stretching exercises, quick at-home workouts, and even housework are all considered forms of mobility! Try 10-minute dance routines, yoga lessons on YouTube, or skipping ropes.
Which meals should I include to increase my immunity?
- Oranges and lemons are examples of citrus fruits.
- Turmeric with garlic
- Raw honey, tulsi, and ginger (not for diabetic PCOS)
- Seasonal vegetables such as bitter and ridge gourds
In conclusion
Being ready is more important than being flawless when it comes to managing PCOS during the monsoon. Your body starts to work better even when the weather doesn’t cooperate when you recognize the seasonal hurdles and make minor but steady adjustments to your diet, lifestyle, and attitude.
This monsoon, replace fatty snacks with warm soups, sip herbal teas, bring your yoga mat inside, and practice self-compassion. Rain or shine, PCOS may be effectively managed with a little self-discipline and a lot of love for oneself!