If you've ever heard me speak, you've heard me say that an interesting aspect of PCOS is that in general, women who have it tend to be overly reactive to environmental stimuli. In other words, when they feel hunger, it's more intense, when they eat food it's more tasty, they have stronger stress responses to a conflict than someone without the syndrome, and they can experience stronger emotions than others.
Here's an interesting addition to that list: they may be more sensitive to light and its influence on hormones.
Researchers have established that individuals with bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder more easily suppress melatonin than individuals who do not have these diagnoses. A new study suggests that women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder also experience the same phenomenon. All three of these diagnoses tend to be found more frequently in women with PCOS, which causes me to infer that women with PCOS are more light-sensitive than other women.
Practically, what that means is that you really need to start paying attention to what is going on in your life after the sun goes down.
Are you surrounding yourself with backlit LED devices such as iPads, smart phones, computers, TV screens? Or are you shifting to activities that you can enjoy with a darker environment?
Are you leaving these devices out of the bedroom? Yes, I am asking you if you have your iPhone, laptop, or TV in the room that should be sacred and dedicated to better sleep.
How dark is that room when you finally turn off the lights? Do you need to upgrade your window coverings?
Sometimes it's the simple things that can make the biggest difference.
Parry BL, Meliska CJ, Sorenson DL, Lopez A, Martínez LF, Hauger RL, Elliott JA. Increased sensitivity to light-induced melatonin suppression in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.