You might think that irregular periods are the only symptom of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), but they are just one of many potential impacts. If you have PCOS, you may also experience excess facial and body hair, severe acne, or even male-pattern baldness. PCOS can occur at any age after puberty, so being aware of its symptoms is essential.
Contents
Overview
What is Polycystic ovary syndrome?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that occurs when the ovaries (which produce and release eggs) generate excess hormones.
Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from an ovary for potential fertilisation by sperm. If fertilisation doesn’t happen, the egg is expelled during menstruation.
Sometimes, a woman may not produce enough hormones to ovulate, leading to the development of small fluid-filled sacs called cysts in the ovaries. These cysts produce androgens, hormones typically found in higher levels in men. Women with PCOS often have elevated androgen levels, which can disrupt their menstrual cycles and contribute to various symptoms of the condition.
Who is at risk of PCOS?
- Women aged 15 to 44 can develop polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) during their reproductive years.
- Many women are diagnosed with PCOS in their 20s and 30s. However, PCOS can develop at any point after puberty.
- Women of all races and ethnic backgrounds can be affected by PCOS.
- Your likelihood of developing PCOS may increase if you are having excess weight or if you have family members, such as a mother, sister, or aunt, who have been diagnosed with the condition.
How common is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is estimated to affect 8–13% of women of reproductive age. Globally, up to 70% of those with the condition remain undiagnosed.
Do I have PCOS or PCOD?
PCOS is distinct from PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease). PCOD is primarily caused by hormonal imbalances and genetic factors. In a typical menstrual cycle, the ovaries release mature eggs, but in PCOD, they often release immature or partially mature eggs, which can form cysts. Symptoms of PCOD include irregular periods, hirsutism, acne, weight gain, and infertility. While PCOS shares similar symptoms, it may also involve fatigue, depression, anxiety, and increased risks of diabetes and cardiovascular issues if not managed effectively.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the signs of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
- Irregular menstrual cycles: Women with PCOS may experience missed periods or have fewer than eight cycles per year. Alternatively, their periods might occur every 21 days or more frequently. Some may even stop having periods altogether.
- Excess hair growth: Many women with PCOS develop hair on the face, chin, or other areas typically associated with male hair growth, a condition known as “hirsutism,” which affects up to 70% of those with the condition.
- Thinning hair: Some may experience hair loss on the scalp, resembling male-pattern baldness.
- Weight issues: Weight gain or challenges with losing weight are common.
- Acne: Breakouts can occur on the face, chest, and upper back.
- Skin changes: Darkening of the skin can happen, particularly in areas like neck creases, the groin, and under the breasts.
- Skin tags: Small flaps of excess skin may develop in the armpits or neck region.
Other health conditions linked with PCOS
- Diabetes: Over half of women with PCOS may develop diabetes or prediabetes by age 40.
- High Blood Pressure: Women with PCOS face a higher risk of high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke.
- Unhealthy Cholesterol: Many women with PCOS have elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol, increasing heart disease risk.
- Sleep Apnea: This is common in women with PCOS who have excess body weight. Sleep apnea disrupts sleep and raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
- Depression and Anxiety: These mental health issues are prevalent among women with PCOS.
- Endometrial Cancer: Factors like ovulation problems and insulin resistance in PCOS increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
What are the causes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but experts believe it involves multiple factors, including genetics:
- High Androgen Levels: Women with PCOS produce more androgens (often called “male hormones”), which can lead to symptoms like irregular ovulation, excessive hair growth, and acne.
- Insulin Resistance: Insulin helps convert food into energy, but many women with PCOS experience insulin resistance, where cells don’t respond properly. This can raise insulin levels, especially in those who have excess body weight, poor eating habits, lack physical activity, or have a family history of type 2 diabetes. Over time, insulin resistance may lead to type 2 diabetes.
Does PCOS cause miscarriage?
Women with PCOS have a higher risk of early pregnancy loss (EPL) in the first trimester, with rates of 30% to 50%, compared to 10% to 15% in women without PCOS. Establishing the exact EPL rate in PCOS is challenging due to confounding factors. Ovulation-inducing treatments further increase the risk of EPL, but the rate of spontaneous EPL in naturally conceived pregnancies in PCOS women is still unknown.
Treatment of PCOS
PCOS treatment focuses on managing your specific concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne, or obesity, and may include lifestyle changes or medication.
Lifestyle Changes: Your healthcare provider may suggest weight loss through a low-calorie diet and moderate exercise. Even a 5% reduction in body weight can enhance your condition and medication effectiveness. Collaborate with your provider and a registered dietitian to create a suitable weight-loss plan.
Medications: To regulate your periods, options may include:
- Combination Birth Control Pills: These pills lower androgen production and regulate oestrogen, reducing risks of endometrial cancer and addressing irregular bleeding, excess hair growth, and acne.
- Progestin Therapy: Administering progestin for 10 to 14 days every 1 to 2 months can help regulate periods but won’t prevent pregnancy.
For ovulation and pregnancy:
- Clomiphene: An oral anti-estrogen taken early in the menstrual cycle.
- Letrozole (Femara): This breast cancer medication stimulates ovulation.
- Metformin: This diabetes medication improves insulin resistance and can support ovulation. It may also help with weight loss and slow progression to type 2 diabetes if you have prediabetes.
- Gonadotropins: Hormonal injections that aid ovulation.
Foods to avoid with PCOS
Those with PCOS should steer clear of
- Inflammatory foods like fried items (French fries, potato chips)
- Saturated fats (butter, margarine)
- Red meat (hamburgers, steaks)
- Processed snacks (cakes, cookies, candy
- Refined carbs like white bread, pasta, and pizza crust, sugary drinks, alcohol, and cereals high in sugar
Best foods for PCOS
- Omega-3-rich fish like salmon
- Olive oil instead of butter
- Protein-rich legumes over meat.
- Non-starchy vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli, peppers)
- Whole grains (brown rice, barley)
- For dessert, choose whole fruits for fibre and slower sugar absorption.
Focus keywords: PCOS, Polycystic ovary syndrome, periods, irregular periods
Written by Liya Sunny
Sources
- https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome#:~:text=Who%20gets%20PCOS%3F,can%20have%20children%2C%20have%20PCOS.&text=Most%20women%20find%20out%20they,at%20any%20age%20after%20puberty.
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome#:~:text=Key%20facts,a%20leading%20cause%20of%20infertility.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos#:~:text=PCOS%20is%20a%20very%20common%20hormone%20problem%20for%20women%20of,%2C%20infertility%2C%20and%20weight%20gain.
- Pregnancy in polycystic ovary syndrome
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/pcos-diet#:~:text=Foods%20to%20Avoid%20with%20PCOS&text=Fried%20foods%20
- https://www.unicef.org/india/stories/do-pcod-and-pcos-mean-same-thing-or-are-they-different#:~:text=PCOD%20(Polycystic%20Ovarian%20Disease)%20is,be%2Dfertilized%20eggs%20each%20month.
- https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/pcod-vs.-pcos—which-is-worse#:~:text=Common%20symptoms%20associated%20with%20PCOD,for%20long%20periods%20of%20time.