Polycystic ovarian syndrome, commonly abbreviated as PCOS, is a hormonal problem that affects around ten million women in the US. Every woman who reaches puberty will start to experience a menstrual cycle, but some women remain undiagnosed because of the wide variation in what is considered to be normal and not a real cause for concern.
So, what are the signs you might be suffering from PCOS?
Irregular Periods
They might not come according to a regular schedule, or they get skipped completely because the woman never ovulated that month.
Weight Gain
Around 50% of women with PCOS are obese or struggle with their weight.
Fatigue, Tiredness
Fatigue can be described as feeling run down and tired even after you have rested and not been exerting yourself strenuously.
Sleep Disorders
Many women with PCOS report sleep disorders such as insomnia - that is, not being able to fall asleep. They might also have a poor quality of sleep and struggle to stay asleep. One other sleep disorder that has been linked to sleep issues is a condition known as sleep apnea.
With sleep apnea, the person stops breathing for a few seconds at a time, causing them to partially wake, so they never achieve deeper levels of sleep. Over time, this will lead to lack of oxygen, and fatigue. Sleep apnea is common in obese people, so this might be the reason it is also common in women with PCOS.
Mood Changes
PCOS increases the likelihood of mood swings, depression, and anxiety. It could be from tiredness due to lack of sleep, and/or it could be hormones. If you noticed your moods tend to be like a rollercoaster, especially at certain stages of your cycle, it could be PCOS.
Headaches
Hormonal changes can trigger headaches, and in particular, migraine headaches. Migraines can be so severe that the person is unable to function. Far more women than men suffer from migraines, so we are pretty certain they are hormonally linked.
Hairiness (Hirsutism)
Women with hormonal imbalances such as PCOS will often grow excess body hair - including legs, arms, underarms, and even back, chest, belly, fingers and toes. Most embarrassing of all is excess facial hair, such as a beard and/or moustache.
Thinning Hair on the Head
Hair can often seem to grow on the body every place except where you want it to, the top of your head. Women with PCOS can start to lose their hair in middle age in a similar manner to men.
Acne and Other Skin Changes
You can get pimples, scaly or dark patches of skin, and more.
Pelvic Pain
The pain may occur during your periods, and your flow may be heavy. It can also occur throughout the month.
Infertility
PCOS is a leading cause of female infertility, though it varies from woman to woman. However, not every woman with PCOS is the same. Although some women may need the assistance of fertility drugs, this does not apply to everyone who has PCOS.
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to consider going to the doctor to determine if you have PCOS.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Common Questions about PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, commonly abbreviated as PCOS, is a hormonal problem that affects around ten million women in the US. Every woman who reaches puberty will start to experience a menstrual cycle, but some women might have PCOS and not even know it because they think their cycle is "normal".
As a woman gets older, however, the signs will usually become more apparent. They might, however, still be attributed to other causes. It is often only when a woman tries to become pregnant and has fertility issues that the true diagnosis of PCOS comes to light. Here are some of the most common questions about PCOS and what to look out for.
1. What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause is unknown, but it is a hormonal problem which might also have genetic and environmental causes.
2. What Hormones Are Involved?
The hormones involved in PCOS include:
Androgens
These are commonly thought of as "male hormones". Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of testosterone, for example. Some of the excess androgens are produced by the ovaries, but others are produced by the adrenal glands just above the kidneys. As a result of excess androgens, women may experience range of symptoms, which include:
* Unwanted body hair, such as face, back, and chest
* Thinning hair in middle age, similar to men going bald
* Irregular or no periods
Insulin Resistance
Insulin is an essential hormone that allows the body to absorb glucose (blood sugar) into the cells in order to provide energy. With PCOS, the body becomes insulin resistant, which means the body is not able to process glucose efficiently. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and set off a chain reaction in which the body will create more and more insulin. More insulin can trigger an increase in androgens.
Lack of Progesterone
Progesterone is an essential female hormone related to pregnancy and the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. In PCOS, a lack of progesterone contributes to irregular periods and to a lack of fertility.
3. What Are the Main Symptoms of PCOS?
The main symptoms include:
* Acne
* Patches of dry or discolored skin
* Excessive hairiness on legs, arm and face
* Balding, particularly in middle age
* Weight gain/obesity
* Diabetes
* Sleep disorders, such as insomnia
* Sleep apnea, particularly in obese women
* Tiredness
* Fatigue even after resting
* Low energy
* Headaches and migraines
* Mood swings
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Irregular periods
* Skipped periods
* Pelvic pain, especially during periods
* Infertility
4. What Are the Treatments for It?
There are several treatments to help relieve symptoms. A low-fat diet and weight loss can help. So too can moderate exercise. Making a good night’s sleep a priority can also help. If you do not wish to become pregnant, birth control pills can even out your hormones and help with acne and excessive hairiness.
If you want to become pregnant, all of the lifestyle changes and various fertility treatments can help. So too can yoga, to help relieve stress and keep you fit. Meditation and relaxation can relieve mood swings, anxiety and depression.
If you think you might have PCOS, talk to your doctor about your concerns and work out a treatment plan that’s right for you.
As a woman gets older, however, the signs will usually become more apparent. They might, however, still be attributed to other causes. It is often only when a woman tries to become pregnant and has fertility issues that the true diagnosis of PCOS comes to light. Here are some of the most common questions about PCOS and what to look out for.
1. What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause is unknown, but it is a hormonal problem which might also have genetic and environmental causes.
2. What Hormones Are Involved?
The hormones involved in PCOS include:
Androgens
These are commonly thought of as "male hormones". Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of testosterone, for example. Some of the excess androgens are produced by the ovaries, but others are produced by the adrenal glands just above the kidneys. As a result of excess androgens, women may experience range of symptoms, which include:
* Unwanted body hair, such as face, back, and chest
* Thinning hair in middle age, similar to men going bald
* Irregular or no periods
Insulin Resistance
Insulin is an essential hormone that allows the body to absorb glucose (blood sugar) into the cells in order to provide energy. With PCOS, the body becomes insulin resistant, which means the body is not able to process glucose efficiently. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and set off a chain reaction in which the body will create more and more insulin. More insulin can trigger an increase in androgens.
Lack of Progesterone
Progesterone is an essential female hormone related to pregnancy and the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. In PCOS, a lack of progesterone contributes to irregular periods and to a lack of fertility.
3. What Are the Main Symptoms of PCOS?
The main symptoms include:
* Acne
* Patches of dry or discolored skin
* Excessive hairiness on legs, arm and face
* Balding, particularly in middle age
* Weight gain/obesity
* Diabetes
* Sleep disorders, such as insomnia
* Sleep apnea, particularly in obese women
* Tiredness
* Fatigue even after resting
* Low energy
* Headaches and migraines
* Mood swings
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Irregular periods
* Skipped periods
* Pelvic pain, especially during periods
* Infertility
4. What Are the Treatments for It?
There are several treatments to help relieve symptoms. A low-fat diet and weight loss can help. So too can moderate exercise. Making a good night’s sleep a priority can also help. If you do not wish to become pregnant, birth control pills can even out your hormones and help with acne and excessive hairiness.
If you want to become pregnant, all of the lifestyle changes and various fertility treatments can help. So too can yoga, to help relieve stress and keep you fit. Meditation and relaxation can relieve mood swings, anxiety and depression.
If you think you might have PCOS, talk to your doctor about your concerns and work out a treatment plan that’s right for you.
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