Have an irregular cycle, put on weight or grow hair that is excessive? You might be one of the millions of women who have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). A hormonal disorder, which can cause adverse symptoms, and, over the long term, put more reproductive-age women at risk for disease, PCOS ought to be fairly well-known. But most individuals tend to be in the dark about it. So, today, we’re going to tell you what PCOS is and whether you have it.
Symptoms of PCOS
Although PCOS is described as the presence of multiple small, fluid-filled cysts in the ovaries, the condition also presents with disordered reproductive hormones such as insulin and androgens, which underlie the constellation of PCOS symptoms – absent or irregular cycles, infertility, acne and mood swings.
The most common PCOS symptom is irregular or absent periods. Instead of ovulating with regular monthly precision, a woman with PCOS might menstruate erratically – or not at all (‘bleed less, often’). For women hopeful for pregnancy, ovulation becomes a less reliable possibility to predict.
A related symptom is hirsutism, excessive hair growth, usually meaning that hair starts sprouting where men’s tends to grow, on a woman’s face, chest, back, or pretty much anywhere else. ‘Testosterone is the most powerful androgen and PCOS [women] have more than normal,’ says Lange.
Another one are elevated insulin levels that she can’t readily decrease or control – which indicate the presence of higher levels of insulin and show up in routine lab work such as glucose tolerance or fasting insulin tests (women with PCOS tend to store fat more readily in the middle than other women, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease, so their weight doesn’t drop off the way others might).
Causes and Risk Factors of PCOS
The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown, but several factors are believed to contribute to its development. One of the primary factors is insulin resistance, which occurs when the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin. This leads to high levels of insulin in the blood, which in turn stimulates the ovaries to produce more androgens.
Genetics also play a role in the development of PCOS. If you have a close family member with PCOS, you are at a higher risk of developing the condition yourself. Researchers have identified certain gene variants that are more common in women with PCOS, although more studies are needed to fully understand the genetic component.
Hormonal imbalances, specifically elevated levels of androgens, are another contributing factor. Androgens are typically found in higher amounts in males, but in women with PCOS, the ovaries produce excessive amounts, leading to various symptoms.
Diagnosing PCOS
Diagnosing PCOS is tricky – some of the above might be present, but others are completely absent. Other classic symptoms are irregular periods (all women should keep a note of their cycles), hirsutism (excessive hair growth) and weight gain in the absence of obvious cause. If you think you have PCOS, having diagnosed yourself from the above symptoms, then don’t – see a doctor and present yourself, so that they can test you for all the right things to make the PCOS diagnosis, and to give you advice for any treatment.
What your physician will do is to ask you questions about your medical history (periods, weight gain, other symptoms), conduct an exam, and a blood test for androgens and insulin.
A woman can have a transvaginal ultrasound of her pelvis, for which the probe, covered in a sheath, is inserted into the vagina and is able to visualise the ovaries and potentially actual cysts – but cysts can be seen in the ovaries on the scan without there being PCOS, and avoiding PCOS does not necessarily mean no cysts will be seen. In fact, if you went on the woman’s ultrasound results alone, you would be off track entirely.
Treatment Options for PCOS
There is no ‘cure’ for PCOS, but there are many ways to minimize impact and support health; what works for one woman won’t work for another, depending on your life goals – such as whether you want to have children – and depending on how severe your symptoms are.
Perhaps the most commonly tested is hormonal contraception. This can flatten the cycle, decrease androgens, and help with acne and hirsutism. Birth control pills with oestrogen plus progestin are one option, as well as progestin-only pills, or a hormonal patch.
When pregnancy does not occur, fertility medications such as Clomiphene or Letrozole may be prescribed to boost egg production through ovulation, by regulating hormones of ovulation over a brief timeframe per cycle.
It turns out that lifestyle interventions involving a healthy weight or BMI and balanced diet, with modest but achievable weight loss (5-10 per cent) can help to manage PCOS, as well as correcting ovarian function and thereby restoring normal menstrual cycles, reducing the risk of diabetes and cardiac disease as well.
Lifestyle Changes to Manage PCOS Symptoms
Just eating whole grains and lean proteins (to help keep blood sugar balanced) and adding fruits and veggies (to help normalise hormonal imbalances) – and avoiding sugary snacks and beverages and processed foods in general – can make a difference in keeping weight steady and lessen the influence of PCOS.
Getting the right amount of exercise helps too – try for at least 150 minutes a week of moderately intense aerobic activity such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling, which can improve your body’s insulin sensitivity, help you lose weight, and lower your risk of several metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes, which is associated with PCOS.
Other aspects of mental health are also at play since many women with PCOS are affected by higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, often the result of the disorder’s direct and indirect effects. Discussing potential treatment strategies with a doctor, attending a support group, self-soothing, or other tactics can help.
Conclusion and Resources for Further Information
In short, PCOS is a hormonal disease in women which is misunderstood and often undermined by the world. Women all around the globe are suffering from it, but yet it goes undiagnosed most of the times. By realising the symptoms, by being regular to your follow-ups and by honouring the treatment recommendations, you have a chance to make PCOS as a life, not a burden, and be able to enjoy quality living with PCOS. Take a healthy diet, keep your mental health intact in the midst of serotonin rollercoaster, and honour your doc recommended treatments, and don’t forget to be regular to your follow-ups. This will go a long way. Live a happy life, my friends!
You can read about PCOS and its symptoms and find suggestions and resources on the websites of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) or the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association (PCOSAA). Knowledge is power and, with the right information, you can fight PCOS fiercely and take control.
