Can you take the covid-19 vaccine if you have PCOS? Dr Cuterus answers

Ever since covid-19 vaccines have hit the world, the myths associated with them have only grown. In this case, there are many people who are now sceptical to get themselves inoculated, and that ladies, is a BIG problem! The vaccine offers you protection from the virus — now that doesn’t mean you won’t get infected, but there’s a high chance that the severity of your symptoms will reduce.

Several medical professionals have been trying their best to bust the myths that have been floating around, including Dr Tanaya Narendra aka Dr Cuterus, as she is known on Instagram. In her recent post, she has spoken about the safety of getting a jab, if you’re suffering from PCOS. 

Some small studies have reported that people with PCOS may have a higher risk of getting covid-19, says Dr Cuterus. Although these might not be necessarily true, it is still practical to get a jab at the earliest. 

In fact, a research led by the University of Birmingham believes this too. For those who are unaware, polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a common condition that is marked by irregular periods, excess facial or body hair, weight gain and more. Women with PCOS are also more prone to suffering from type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and high blood pressure, and these are considered high risk factors for covid-19.

There’s another research, published in the European Journal of Endocrinology that shows incidence of covid-19 in women with PCOS was almost twice the rate, than in women without PCOS.

Here’s how women with PCOS can manage their health better:

• Consume a healthy diet with at least five portions of fruits and vegetables and whole foods. 
• Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. That’s because there are several studies that reveal losing even 5 percent of their current body weight would help manage PCOS better.
• Consume vitamin D rich foods such as oily fish (like salmon and mackerel), organ meat (liver), egg yolks and fortified breakfast cereals. You could also take supplements, but check with your doctor. 
• Take prescribed medications such as contraceptive pills and metformin to control high blood sugar levels.