Polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS) is a female hormonal imbalance.
PCOS causes women to
produce more male hormones than normal. This hormonal imbalance causes their
bodies to skip menstrual periods, making pregnancy more difficult.
PCOS also causes hair
growth on the face and body, as well as baldness. It can also lead to long-term
health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
Birth control pills and
diabetes medications (which combat insulin resistance, which is a symptom of
PCOS) can help correct the hormone imbalance and relieve symptoms.
Continue reading to find
out more about the possible causes of PCOS and how it affects a woman's body.
What exactly is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal
disorder that affects women during their reproductive years (ages 15 to
44). PCOS affects between 2.2 and 26.7 percent of women in this age group.
Many women have PCOS but are unaware of it. According to one study, up to 70%
of women with PCOS had not been diagnosed.
PCOS affects a woman's ovaries, which produce oestrogen and progesterone —
hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. Androgens, or male hormones, are
also produced by the ovaries.
The ovaries produce eggs, which are fertilised by a man's sperm. Ovulation is
the monthly release of an egg.
Ovulation is controlled by the pituitary gland's production of
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
FSH causes the ovary to produce a follicle — a sac containing an egg — while LH
causes the ovary to release a mature egg.
PCOS is a "syndrome," or collection of symptoms affecting the ovaries
and ovulation. It has three main characteristics:
- Ovulatory cysts
- Male hormone levels that are abnormally high
- Periods that are irregular or skipped
In PCOS, many small, fluid-filled sacs develop
inside the ovaries. The term "polycystic" refers to "many
cysts."
These sacs are called follicles, and each one contains an immature egg. The
eggs never mature sufficiently to cause ovulation.
Ovulation deficiency affects oestrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH levels.
Progesterone levels are lower than normal, whereas androgen levels are higher.
Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing women with PCOS to
have fewer periods.
PCOS is not a new disease. For the first time, Italian physician Antonio
Vallisneri described its symptoms in 1721.
During their childbearing years, up to 27% of women suffer from
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is characterised by ovarian cysts,
elevated levels of male hormones, and irregular periods.
What is the root cause?
Doctors are unsure what causes PCOS. They believe that high levels of male
hormones inhibit the ovaries' ability to produce hormones and produce eggs
normally.
Genes, insulin resistance, and inflammation have all been linked to excess
androgen production.
- Genes
- PCOS runs in families, according to studies.
- Insulin sensitivity
- Insulin resistance affects up to 70% of PCOS women,
which means their cells can't properly use insulin (7Trusted Source).
- Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to
assist the body in using sugar from foods for energy.
- When cells are unable to properly use insulin, the
body's demand for insulin rises. To compensate, the pancreas produces
more insulin. Extra insulin causes the ovaries to produce more male
hormones.
- Obesity is a major contributor to insulin resistance. Obesity
and insulin resistance are both risk factors for developing type 2
diabetes..
- Inflammation
- Women with PCOS frequently have elevated levels of
inflammation in their bodies. Obesity can also contribute to
inflammation. Excessive inflammation has been linked in studies to higher
androgen levels.
Doctors are unsure what causes PCOS. They believe it is caused by
genetics, insulin resistance, and increased inflammation in the body.
PCOS symptoms that are common
Some women have symptoms around the time of their first period. Others discover
they have PCOS after gaining a lot of weight or having difficulty getting
pregnant.
The following are the most common PCOS symptoms:
- Periods that are irregular: Ovulation failure prevents the uterine lining
from shedding every month. Some PCOS women experience fewer than eight
menstrual cycles per year, or none at all.
- Heavily bled: Because
the uterine lining accumulates for a longer period of time, your periods
may be heavier than usual.
- Hair development: Over
70% of women with this condition develop hair on their face and body,
including their back, belly, and chest. Hirsutism refers to excessive hair
growth.
- Acne: Male
hormones can cause the skin to become oilier than usual, resulting in
breakouts on areas such as the face, chest, and upper back.
- Gaining weight: Approximately
80% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese.
- Skin discoloration: Dark
patches of skin can develop in body creases such as those on the neck,
groin, and beneath the breasts.
- Headaches: Hormonal
fluctuations can cause headaches in some women.
PCOS can disrupt the menstrual cycle, resulting in fewer menstrual
periods. Other symptoms of the condition include acne, hair growth, weight
gain, and dark skin patches.
The Effects of PCOS on
Your Body
Higher-than-normal androgen levels can interfere with fertility and other
aspects of health.
Infertility
You must ovulate in order to become pregnant. Women who do not ovulate on a
regular basis produce fewer eggs that can be fertilised. One of the leading
causes of female infertility is PCOS.
Syndrome of Metabolic Syndrome
Up to 80% of PCOS women are overweight or obese. Obesity and PCOS both increase
your chances of:
- High blood sugar levels
- Elevated blood pressure
- Low "good" HDL cholesterol
- High "bad" LDL cholesterol
These factors are
collectively referred to as metabolic syndrome, and they increase the risk of:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- heart disease
Obstructive sleep apnea
This condition causes
frequent pauses in breathing during the night, disrupting sleep.
Obese women are more
likely to have sleep apnea, especially if they also have PCOS. Women with both obesity and PCOS have a 5 to 10
times higher risk of sleep apnea than those without PCOS.
Cancer of the endometrium
The uterine lining sheds during ovulation. The lining can accumulate if you do
not ovulate every month.
Endometrial cancer risk is increased by a thickened uterine lining.
Depression
Both hormonal changes and symptoms such as unwanted hair growth can have a
negative impact on your emotions. Many people with PCOS eventually develop
depression and anxiety.
Hormone imbalances can have a variety of effects on a woman's
health. Infertility, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, endometrial cancer, and
depression are all risks associated with PCOS.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
PCOS is typically diagnosed in women who have at least two of these three
symptoms :
- High levels of androgen
- Cysts in the ovaries,
- Irregular menstrual cycles
Your doctor should also inquire about acne, facial and body hair growth, and
weight gain.
A pelvic exam can detect problems with your ovaries or other parts of your
reproductive tract. During this test, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into
your vagina and looks for any growths in your ovaries or uterus.
Blood tests look for higher-than-normal levels of male hormones.
You may also have blood tests to check your cholesterol, insulin, and
triglyceride levels in order to assess your risk for conditions such as heart
disease and diabetes.
An ultrasound uses sound waves to detect abnormal follicles and other issues
with your ovaries and uterus.
PCOS is diagnosed when a woman has at least two of the three main
symptoms: high androgen levels, irregular periods, and ovarian cysts. A pelvic
exam, blood tests, and ultrasound can all be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Pregnancy and PCOS
PCOS disrupts the normal menstrual cycle and makes pregnancy more difficult.
Fertility issues affect 70 to 80 percent of PCOS women.
This condition can also increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
Women with PCOS are twice as likely as women without the condition to have a
premature baby. They are also at a higher risk of miscarriage, high blood
pressure, and gestational diabetes.
Women with PCOS, on the other hand, can become pregnant through fertility
treatments that improve ovulation.
PCOS can make getting pregnant more difficult and increase your
risk of pregnancy complications and miscarriage. Weight loss and other
treatments can help you have a healthier pregnancy.
PCOS diet and lifestyle recommendations
PCOS treatment typically begins with lifestyle changes such as weight loss,
diet, and exercise.
Even losing 5 to 10% of your body weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle
and alleviate PCOS symptoms. Weight loss can also lead to:
- Raise cholesterol levels
- Lower insulin levels
- Reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes
Any diet that aids in weight loss can benefit your condition. Some diets,
however, may have advantages over others.
Low carbohydrate diets are effective for both weight loss and lowering insulin
levels, according to studies comparing PCOS diets.
A low glycemic index (low GI) diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
regulates the menstrual cycle better than a standard weight loss diet.
Several studies have found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise three
times per week can help women with PCOS lose weight. Exercising to lose weight
improves ovulation and insulin levels.
When combined with a
healthy diet, exercise is even more beneficial. Diet and exercise together help
you lose more weight than either intervention alone, and it reduces your risk
of diabetes and heart disease.
Acupuncture has some evidence that it can help with PCOS, but more research is
needed.
PCOS treatment begins with dietary and exercise changes. If you're
overweight, losing just 5 to 10% of your body weight can help improve your
symptoms.
Common medical
procedures
Birth control pills and
other medications can aid in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the
treatment of PCOS symptoms such as hair growth and acne.
- Birth control pills
- Daily progestin use can lead to:
- Reestablish normal hormone
balance
- Regulate ovulation alleviate
symptoms such as excessive hair growth
- Endometrial cancer prevention
- These hormones are available as a pill, patch, or
vaginal ring.
- Metformin
- Metformin (Glucophage, Fortamet) is a type 2 diabetes
medication. It also helps with PCOS by increasing insulin levels.
- One study discovered that taking metformin along with
diet and exercise changes improves weight loss, lowers blood sugar, and
restores a normal menstrual cycle better than diet and exercise changes
alone.
- Clomiphene
- Clomiphene (Clomid) is a fertility medication that can
assist women with PCOS in becoming pregnant.
- It's important to remember that clomiphene increases
the chances of twins and other multiple births when discussing family
planning.
- Medication for hair removal
- A few treatments can help remove unwanted hair or
prevent it from growing.
- Eflornithine cream (Vaniqa) is a prescription
medication that slows hair growth. Unwanted hair on your face and body
can be removed using laser hair removal or electrolysis.
- Surgery
- If other treatments fail to improve fertility, surgery
may be an option. Ovarian drilling is a procedure that uses a laser or a
thin heated needle to make tiny holes in the ovary in order to restore
normal ovulation.
Birth control pills and the diabetes medication metformin can help
restore a normal menstrual cycle. Clomiphene and surgery improve fertility in
women with PCOS. Hair removal medications can assist women in removing unwanted
hair.
When to See a Doctor
Consult your doctor if you:
- You have missed periods and are not pregnant.
- You have PCOS symptoms such as hair growth on your face and body.
- You've been trying to conceive for more than a year without success.
- You have diabetes symptoms such as excessive thirst or hunger, blurred vision, or unexplained weight loss.
Also, keep in mind that if you don't want to get pregnant, irregular or absent periods aren't enough to prevent pregnancy.
Even under these conditions, it is possible to become pregnant. Even if you have PCOS, it is best to use contraception in this case.
If you have PCOS, schedule regular appointments with your primary care physician. Regular blood tests will be required to screen for diabetes, high blood pressure, and other potential complications.
Consult your doctor if your period has skipped or you have other
PCOS symptoms such as facial or body hair growth. Consult a doctor if you've
been trying to conceive for 12 months or more without success.
Conclusion
PCOS can disrupt a woman's menstrual cycle and make it difficult to conceive.
High levels of male hormones can also cause unwanted symptoms such as facial and
body hair growth.
Lifestyle changes are often the first treatments that doctors recommend for
PCOS, and they frequently work well.
Weight loss can help treat PCOS symptoms and increase your chances of getting
pregnant. Diet and aerobic exercise are two effective weight-loss methods.
If lifestyle changes do not work, medications are an option. Metformin and
birth control pills can both restore more normal menstrual cycles and alleviate
PCOS symptoms.
