What is PCOS?
PCOS, which stands for polycystic ovary syndrome, is a common hormone disorder that affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by:
- Irregular or missed periods - This is often one of the first signs of PCOS. The lack of regular ovulation prevents the uterine lining from shedding every month.
- Excess androgen levels - Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of androgens like testosterone. This can lead to symptoms like excess facial and body hair growth, acne, and thinning hair.
- Ovarian cysts - Small fluid-filled sacs can develop in the ovaries. These are called ovarian cysts. The word "polycystic" refers to the classic string-of-pearls appearance of the ovaries in PCOS.
While the exact cause is unknown, doctors believe it is related to insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone needed to transport sugar from the blood into the cells. In PCOS, cells become resistant to insulin. To compensate, the body produces more insulin.
This excess insulin stimulates the ovaries to produce more testosterone. The combination of high testosterone and insulin likely accounts for the missed periods and ovarian cysts.
PCOS increases a woman's risk for several health problems:
- Infertility - Ovulation problems make it harder to get pregnant. PCOS is one of the leading causes of female infertility.
- Diabetes - Up to 10% of women with PCOS will develop diabetes by age 40 due to insulin resistance.
- Metabolic syndrome - This refers to a cluster of issues like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and obesity.
- Endometrial cancer - Women with PCOS are 2-4 times more likely to develop this cancer of the uterine lining. The excess estrogen from lack of ovulation causes overgrowth of the uterine lining.
- Depression and anxiety - Coping with PCOS symptoms can take an emotional toll. Nearly 1 in 2 women with PCOS have mental health disorders.
Diagnosis is made based on symptoms, physical exam, blood tests, and sometimes an ultrasound of the ovaries. Blood tests look for higher levels of testosterone and abnormal glucose metabolism. Pelvic ultrasound can detect ovarian cysts.
Treatments focus on managing symptoms:
- Birth control pills can regulate menstrual cycles and estrogen levels.
- Fertility drugs like clomiphene may be used along with IVF to aid conception.
- Metformin treats insulin resistance and regulates periods.
- Spironolactone blocks androgen production to treat acne and excess hair growth.
- Hair removal creams, laser therapy remove unwanted hair.
Lifestyle changes are also important, like eating a low glycemic diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Losing just 5% of body weight can help restore normal periods.
At Balance Hormone Clinic, our functional medicine doctors specialize in helping women naturally balance their hormones for optimal health and fertility. We offer cutting-edge hormone testing to get to the root causes and personalized treatment plans. Contact us today to learn more and take control of your PCOS.