I have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) by a doctor. I have one period a year if I'm lucky. I am very worried because I keep getting lightheaded and feeling funny around the same time each day. I have started Weight Watchers because I am overweight. Just wondered if this diet is OK for someone like me.
We commend you for wanting to understand what is right for your condition.
But you have asked a complex question. Without evaluating you in person, we really don't have enough information about your status to make any specific medical/nutritional recommendations. Both our women's health clinician and dietitian suggest that you have a complete evaluation of this disorder.
The symptom you described (lightheadedness the same time each day) could be from many different causes (hypoglycemia, thyroid disease, diabetes, anemia, etc.). This symptom calls for a medical evaluation to see what might be causing it.
You should also have hormonal intervention (such as birth control pills) for the management of your infrequent periods. We suggest that you make an appointment with Women's Health for further evaluation of your menstrual cycles. Call 863-2633.
A PCOS diagnosis calls for consultation with a dietitian because weight management is essential to controlling the metabolic dysfunctions that are associated with PCOS. In general, Weight Watchers is a fine plan, as long as there are no blood sugar or lipid abnormalities, and fiber content and monounsaturated fats in the diet are high.
Exercise should also be a key component.
But whether or not Weight Watchers is right for you and your condition should be discussed with either your primary care provider or a dietitian.
University Health Services does have a nutrition clinic with a registered dietitian. Go to our Web site at www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/
nutritionclinic.cfm. After completing and submitting the Nutrition Clinic History Form, you will be contacted by e-mail for an appointment.
Initial consultations last one hour. Follow-up appointments are arranged as needed. Nutrition counseling is free to Penn State students, with up to six visits per semester permitted unless otherwise indicated.
I will be traveling to Thailand at the end of the semester. Can I get hepatitis shots through University Health Services? If not, could you recommend a location where I can get them?
Any registered Penn State student or faculty/staff person is eligible to receive travel injections at the UHS Travel Clinic.
We recommend you make an appointment at our Travel Clinic as soon as you have confirmed your travel plans, because in some cases a series of immunizations over a period of months may be necessary. Call 863-0774 to make an appointment.
There is a form online that must be completed ahead of time and brought with you to your appointment. See http://www.sa.psu. edu/uhs/basics/travel.cfm.
Submit HealthLine questions online at www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/questions/qa.cfm.
All submissions will remain anonymous. Your e-mail address is removed, so UHS does not know who the sender is and can only respond through The Daily Collegian.
This column is not intended to replace advice from your personal clinician. If conditions persist, see a clinician.
