Hormone levels in women are impacted by the disorder known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Male hormones are produced in greater quantities than usual by women with PCOS. Their body skips menstruation cycles as a result of this hormonal imbalance, which also makes it more difficult for them to become pregnant.
Baldness and hair growth on the face and body are additional effects of PCOS. Additionally, it can exacerbate chronic health issues including diabetes and heart disease.
The hormone imbalance can be corrected and symptoms can be improved with the aid of birth control tablets and diabetic medications (which treat insulin resistance, a characteristic of PCOS).
Continue reading to learn about PCOS's potential causes and potential physical repercussions on women.
PCOS: What is it?
Women who are in their reproductive years are affected by PCOS, a hormonal condition (ages 15 to 44). In this age bracket, PCOS affects between 2.2 and 26.7 percent of women .
Unaware that they have PCOS, many women do. Up to 70% of women with PCOS in one research were undiagnosed .
PCOS has an impact on a woman's ovaries, which are reproductive organs that create the hormones progesterone and estrogen, which control the menstrual cycle. A tiny amount of male hormones known as androgens are also produced by the ovaries.
To be fertilized by a man's sperm, the ovaries release eggs. The monthly release of an egg is known as ovulation.
Ovulation is regulated by the pituitary gland's production of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH and LH).
A mature egg is released from the ovary after it has been stimulated by FSH to develop a follicle, a bag that holds an egg.
A "syndrome," or collection of symptoms, known as PCOS affects the ovaries and ovulation. The following three characteristics define it:
the ovaries having cysts
irregular or missed periods high male hormone levels
Small, fluid-filled sacs proliferate inside the ovaries as a result of PCOS. "Polycystic" simply means "multiple cysts."
These sacs are really follicles, and inside of each one is an immature egg. The eggs are never developed enough to cause ovulation.
Estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH levels are changed when ovulation is absent. Progesterone levels are below normal, whereas androgen levels are above normal.
PCOS is not a recent illness. In 1721, Italian physician Antonio Vallisneri initially outlined its signs .
What triggers it?
Doctors are unsure of the precise cause of PCOS. They contend that excessive quantities of male hormones inhibit the ovaries from regularly creating eggs and hormones.
Excess androgen production has been associated with genes, insulin resistance, and inflammation.
Gene studies reveal that PCOS is inherited .
It's likely that more than one gene, not just one, affects the illness .
PCOS is not a recent illness. In 1721, Italian physician Antonio Valliere initially outlined its signs .
What triggers it?
Doctors are unsure of the precise cause of PCOS. They contend that excessive quantities of male hormones inhibit the ovaries from regularly creating eggs and hormones.
Excess androgen production has been associated with genes, insulin resistance, and inflammation.
Gene studies reveal that PCOS is inherited .
It's likely that more than one gene, not just one, affects the illness .
Inflammation
PCOS patients frequently have higher than average amounts of inflammation in their bodies. Inflammation can also be exacerbated by being overweight. Studies have connected elevated testosterone levels with excessive inflammation.
PCOS common symptoms
Some women begin to experience symptoms right before the beginning of their period. Others don't find out they have PCOS until they've put on a lot of weight or struggled to conceive.
The most typical signs of PCOS are:
irregular time frames. The uterine lining cannot shed every month if there is no ovulation. Some PCOS sufferers have fewer than eight cycles or none at all per year .
severe bleeding When you do have a period, it may be heavier than usual since the uterine lining has had more time to thicken up.
hair expansion With this illness, more than 70% of women develop hair on their face and body, including on their back, abdomen, and chest . We refer to excessive hair growth as hirsutism.
Acne. On the face, chest, and upper back, male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and lead to breakouts.
gaining weight Up to 80% of PCOS-afflicted women are obese or overweight .
baldness with a male pattern. The scalp's hair may become thinning or fall off.
skin tone darkening In body creases like those on the neck, in the crotch, and under the breasts, dark patches of skin can develop.
Headaches. Some women experience headaches as a result of hormonal changes.
the physical effects of PCOS
Your fertility and other elements of your health may be impacted by having androgen levels that are greater than usual.
Infertility
Ovulation is a prerequisite for conception. Less eggs are released for fertilization by women who don't ovulate consistently. One of the main factors contributing to female infertility is PCOS .
Syndrome metabolic
Up to 80% of women with PCOS are obese or overweight (13Trusted Source). Obesity and PCOS both raise your chances of:
excessive blood sugar
elevated blood pressure
poor HDL "good" cholesterol
LDL "bad" cholesterol levels are high.
These elements form a condition known as metabolic syndrome that raises the risk for:
stroke, diabetes, and heart disease
Sleep apnea
Repeated breathing pauses brought on by this illness keep people from falling asleep at night.
Women who are overweight are more likely to develop sleep apnea, particularly if they also have PCOS. Those with obesity with PCOS are at a 5 to 10 times greater risk of developing sleep apnea than women without PCOS.
cancer of the uterus
Uterine lining sheds during ovulation. The lining can accumulate if you don't ovulate every month.
Endometrial cancer risk can be raised by a thicker uterine lining.
Depression
Your emotions might be severely impacted by both hormonal changes and symptoms like uncontrollable hair growth. Depression and anxiety are inevitable side effects for many PCOS patients.
How to identify PCOS
Women with at least two of these three symptoms are frequently diagnosed as PCOS by doctors.
high amounts of androgen
irregular periods of time
in the ovaries cysts
Additionally, your doctor should inquire about any signs of acne, facial and body hair development, and weight gain.
A pelvic exam can check for any issues with your ovaries or other reproductive system components. Your doctor performs this test by inserting gloved fingers into your vagina to feel for any uterine or ovarian growths.
Blood tests look for male hormone levels that are greater than usual.
Childbirth and PCOS
The natural menstrual cycle is disrupted by PCOS, which also makes it more challenging to conceive. Between 70 and 80 percent of PCOS sufferers experience issues with conception .
Pregnancy problems may also be more likely as a result of this illness.
Premature birth is twice as likely to occur in women with PCOS as in women without the illness. Additionally, they have a higher risk of miscarriage, hypertension, and gestational diabetes .
However, fertility therapies that enhance ovulation can help women with PCOS become pregnant. Your likelihood of having a safe pregnancy can be increased by losing weight and controlling your blood sugar levels.
Tips for treating PCOS with food and lifestyle
Changes in lifestyle, such as weight loss, nutrition, and exercise, are typically the first step in PCOS treatment.
The symptoms of PCOS can be alleviated and your menstrual cycle can be regulated with just a 5- to 10-percent weight loss (11, 20Trusted Source). Losing weight can also:
increase in cholesterol
reduce insulin
lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease
Your illness can benefit from any diet that makes you lose weight. However, certain diets might be superior to others in various ways.
Low-carb diets are helpful for weight loss and reducing insulin levels, according to studies comparing PCOS regimens.
Better than a typical weight loss diet, a low glycemic index (low GI) diet that primarily consists of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps regulate the menstrual cycle .
According to a few studies, women with PCOS can lose weight by exercising for 30 minutes, three days a week, at a moderate level. Exercise-induced weight loss also enhances insulin and ovulation levels .
When exercise is combined with a balanced diet, the benefits are much greater. Exercise and diet together can help you lose weight more effectively than any of them alone does, and they can also lessen your chances of diabetes and heart disease .
Acupuncture has some evidence that it can help with PCOS, but additional research is required .
standard medical procedures
Birth control pills and other drugs can be used to treat PCOS symptoms including hair growth and acne as well as to help regulate the menstrual cycle.
birth prevention
Daily progesterone use may:
reestablish a healthy hormone balance
reduce symptoms such excessive hair growth and regulate ovulation
to prevent endometrial cancer
These hormones are available as pills, vaginal rings, or patches.
Metformin
Glucophage, Foramen, and metformin are medications for type 2 diabetes. Additionally, by raising insulin levels, it treats PCOS.
In comparison to diet and activity improvements alone, one study revealed that using metformin also improved weight reduction, blood sugar control, and restored a regular menstrual cycle .
Clomiphene
A fertility medication called clomiphene (Clamed) can aid PCOS-afflicted women in becoming pregnant.
When talking about family planning, it's critical to keep in mind that clomiphene increases the likelihood of twins and other multiple births.
medicines for hair removal
A few treatments can assist in removing unwanted hair or preventing its growth.
A prescription medication called Eflornithine (Vania) cream reduces the development of new hair. Unwanted hair on your face and body can be removed with laser hair removal and electrolysis.
Surgery
If alternative therapies don't enhance fertility, surgery may be a possibility. Ovarian drilling is a technique that uses a laser or thin heated needle to create microscopic holes in the ovary to restore regular ovulation.
Whenever to visit a doctor
Consult a doctor if
In spite of missing periods, you are not pregnant.
You experience PCOS symptoms like facial and body hair growth.
You've been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for more than a year.
You experience signs of diabetes include excessive appetite or thirst, blurry eyesight, or unexplained weight loss.
Do not wait a year to see a professional to be evaluated if your periods are already irregular or nonexistent and you are attempting to get pregnant.
Additionally, remember that irregular or nonexistent periods are not birth control in and of themselves if you do not want to become pregnant.
Plan frequent consultations with your health care physician if you have PCOS. To screen for diabetes, high blood pressure, and other potential consequences, you'll need regular tests.
You can view doctors in your region using the Healthline FindCare feature if you're worried about your PCOS and don't already have an endocrinologist.
The conclusion
PCOS can interfere with a woman's menstrual cycles and make it more challenging to conceive. High quantities of male hormones can also cause undesirable symptoms, such as unsightly body and facial hair development.
The initial PCOS therapies that doctors advise are lifestyle modifications, and they frequently have positive results.
Weight loss can reduce PCOS symptoms and increase the likelihood of conception. To lose weight, combine aerobic activity with a healthy diet.
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