What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a condition that affects the way a woman’s ovaries work. It can cause problems with a woman’s menstrual periods, make it hard to get pregnant, and cause acne.

PCOS is a hormone imbalance. A woman with PCOS has too much luteinizing hormone (LH), one of the main reproductive hormones in the body, and not enough follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). LH stimulates the ovaries to make testosterone, which causes the symptoms of PCOS.

PCOS can affect women at any age and is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age (between ages 15 and 44). It affects about 5% to 10% of women in this age group in Western countries. In most cases, it runs in families and is thought to be caused by genetics.

Women with PCOS can have enlarged ovaries that contain fluid-filled sacs (ova). This is known as polycystic ovary syndrome.

The hormone imbalance that causes PCOS can also cause irregular or missed periods and difficulty getting pregnant.

What causes it?

PCOS is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It’s not clear exactly what causes PCOS, but it’s thought to be a result of the body producing too much testosterone and other male hormones.

This excess testosterone causes changes in the ovaries, which stop them from releasing eggs (ovulation). This can lead to irregular menstrual cycles, early puberty, acne and facial hair growth. If left untreated, it can also cause fertility problems later in life.

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders in women who are of reproductive age (18-40 years). Most women who have PCOS are diagnosed when they’re between 20-30 years old — although some may have symptoms as early as their teens or twenties.

Genetics. Some studies suggest that a mother’s body mass index (BMI) may affect her daughter’s risk for PCOS. A higher BMI during pregnancy increases the risk of having a child with PCOS.

Environment. Certain environmental factors may also play a role in the development of PCOS, including diet, lifestyle, stress and exposure to certain chemicals while in utero (during development in the uterus).

Dietary Factors: Studies have found that women with PCOS are more likely to have insulin resistance, which can be improved by better nutrition and exercise habits. This means eating foods lower on the glycemic index and exercising regularly — at least 30 minutes most days — can help improve your symptoms. You should also avoid eating too much sugar or refined carbohydrates (white breads and pastas), which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels after meals.

Lifestyle Factors: Stress can contribute to your symptoms if you’re under constant pressure without time for relaxation and fun activities. Try to schedule time each day for exercise (such as walking) and relaxation activities like meditation or yoga that will reduce stress levels naturally.

Common symptoms of PCOS

PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility, affecting 5 to 10 percent of women of childbearing age.

The condition is characterized by excessive production of androgens (male sex hormones), irregular menstrual periods and problems with ovulation. Women with PCOS may also have acne, excess hair growth on the face, chest or back and weight gain.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of PCOS vary from woman to woman. Some women with PCOS may not have any symptoms at all. Others may experience a combination of the following:
• Irregular periods or no menstrual period
• Hair growth on the face, chest, or stomach (in women who are not using hormones)
• Sleep apnea (excessive sleepiness during the day due to pauses in breathing during sleep)
• Cysts on one or both ovaries that are too small to be seen by ultrasound but large enough to cause pain if they rupture.

How PCOS affects your body?

1. PCOS can cause heavy, prolonged or irregular periods.

2. It makes it difficult for a woman with PCOS to get pregnant (infertility).

3. It’s linked to an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

4. Women with PCOS often have problems losing weight because their bodies are resistant to insulin.

5. Women with PCOS may develop acne, male-pattern baldness or excess hair on the face and body (hirsutism).

How PCOS is diagnosed?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed by a physical examination, blood tests, and ultrasound.

Physical exam and blood tests

Your doctor will perform a physical exam to check for signs of PCOS, including:

• Hirsutism (excessive hair growth) in women or men
• Acne
• Male pattern baldness in women or men
• Enlarged ovaries that contain many small cysts (visible on ultrasound)
• High levels of male hormones in the blood (called “androgen” excess)

Abnormal menstrual periods, such as infrequent periods or heavy bleeding during periods. The bleeding can be normal between periods. Some women with PCOS have no problems with their periods at all.

Blood tests to help diagnose PCOS:

The following blood tests can be done to rule out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms as PCOS:

Fasting glucose levels: This test determines the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood after fasting overnight. A normal level is less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), and a high level is greater than 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L).

Fasting insulin level: This test determines the amount of insulin in your body after fasting overnight. Insulin helps carry glucose from your bloodstream into your cells where it is used for energy or stored as fat. A normal level is less than 12 µIU/mL (microunits per milliliter), and a high level is greater than 25 µIU/mL.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone level: This test measures how much thyroid hormone TSH is circulating in your blood. If there’s too much or too little thyroid hormone, it could lead to symptoms such as weight gain or hair.

Diet and lifestyle tips to treat PCOS

Here are some tips:

• Replace white carbohydrates with wholegrains
• Reduce your intake of processed foods and sugary drinks
• Eat more vegetables and fruit
• Cut out refined sugar completely
• Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week