With an estimate of around 15 % female population in reproductive ages having it and with no effective treatment –possible searches in other streams of healing need to be done.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that occurs when your ovaries (the organ that produces and releases eggs) create excess hormones. If you have PCOS, your ovaries produce unusually high levels of hormones called androgens. This causes your reproductive hormones to become imbalanced. As a result, people with PCOS often have irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods and unpredictable ovulation. Small follicle cysts (fluid-filled sacs with immature eggs) may be visible on your ovaries on ultrasound due to lack of ovulation (anovulation). However, despite the name "polycystic," you don’t need to have cysts on your ovaries to have PCOS. The ovarian cysts aren’t dangerous or painful.
PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. It can also increase risk of other health conditions.
What age does PCOS start?
Women and people AFAB can get PCOS any time after puberty. Most people are diagnosed in their 20s or 30s when they’re trying to get pregnant. You may have a higher chance of getting PCOS if you have obesity or if other people in your biological family have PCOS.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the signs of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
The most common signs and symptoms of PCOS include:
• Irregular periods: Abnormal menstruation involves missing periods or not having a period at all. It may also involve heavy bleeding during periods.
• Abnormal hair growth: You may grow excess facial hair or experience heavy hair growth on your arms, chest and abdomen (hirsutism). This affects up to 70% of people with PCOS.
• Acne: PCOS can cause acne, especially on your back, chest and face. This acne may continue past your teenage years and may be difficult to treat.
• Obesity: Between 40% and 80% of people with PCOS have obesity and have trouble maintaining a weight that’s healthy for them.
• Darkening of the skin: You may get patches of dark skin, especially in the folds of your neck, armpits, groin (between the legs) and under your breasts. This is known as acanthosis nigricans.
• Cysts: Many people with PCOS have ovaries that appear larger or with many follicles (egg sac cysts) on ultrasound.
• Skin tags: Skin tags are little flaps of extra skin. They’re often found in your armpits or on your neck.
• Thinning hair: People with PCOS may lose patches of hair on their head or start to bald.
• Infertility: PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in people AFAB. Not ovulating regularly or frequently can result in not being able to conceive.
Can I have PCOS but not have any symptoms?
Yes, it’s possible to have PCOS and not have any symptoms. Many people don’t even realize they have the condition until they have trouble getting pregnant or are gaining weight for unknown reasons. It’s also possible to have mild PCOS, where the symptoms aren’t severe enough to notice.
What is the main cause of PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There’s evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors, most importantly obesity, also play a role in causing PCOS:
• Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: High androgen levels prevent ovaries from releasing eggs, which causes irregular menstrual cycles. Irregular ovulation can also cause small, fluid-filled sacs to develop on your ovaries. High androgen also causes acne and excess hair growth in women and people AFAB.
• Insulin resistance: An increase in insulin levels causes your ovaries to make and release male hormones (androgens). Increased male hormones suppress ovulation and contribute to other symptoms of PCOS. Insulin helps your body process glucose (sugar) and use it for energy. Insulin resistance means your body doesn’t process insulin correctly, leading to high glucose levels in your blood. Not all individuals with insulin resistance have elevated glucose or diabetes, but insulin resistance can lead to diabetes. Having overweight or obesity can also contribute to insulin resistance. An elevated insulin level, even if your blood glucose is normal, can indicate insulin resistance.
• Low-grade inflammation: People with PCOS tend to have chronic low-grade inflammation. Your healthcare provider can perform blood tests that measure levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells, which can indicate the level of inflammation in your body.
Can PCOS cause a miscarriage?
Having PCOS may increase your risk for certain pregnancy complications, although most women and people AFAB with PCOS are able to successfully carry a pregnancy. Other complications of PCOS related to pregnancy include increased risk of:
• Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and high blood pressure.
• Preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or C-section delivery due to obesity, diabetes or high blood pressure.
What are the three symptoms to diagnose PCOS?
Typically, healthcare providers diagnose PCOS if you have at least two of the three symptoms:
• Irregular or missed periods. Some people with PCOS have very heavy bleeding when they do have a period.
• Signs of excess androgens such as acne or excessive hair growth. Or a blood test confirming high androgen levels.
• Enlarged ovaries or polycystic appearance of ovaries on ultrasound. Many people don’t develop cysts.
In part 2 we will talk of researched protocols to help manage PCOS