Polycystic ovarian syndrome is generally called PCOS. It is a hormonal disorder caused by malfunctioning of the endocrine system. Female with PCOS develops cysts in their ovaries due to the secretion of a large amount of androgen. It affects 10% to 20% of women of childbearing age worldwide. High BMI, insulin resistance, and irregular menstrual cycle are the common risk factors for PCOS. It can be detected through physical examination, blood test, sonography, and transvaginal ultrasound.
Hallmarks of PCOS:
The following three are the main characteristics of PCOS.
- Hyperandrogenism:
Androgen is a steroid hormone that gives secondary sexual characteristics to both genders. However, it is predominant in males. Ovaries and adrenal glands are the sides for Androgen production, and high levels of androgens in females cause cysts in the ovaries. Also, hyperandrogenism causes hirsutism, acne, and excessive facial hair.
- Ovulatory dysfunction:
Due to an imbalance of FSH, LH, and androgen, follicles do not mature enough to ovulate. Hyperandrogenism prevents ovulation. Due to anovulation, the menstrual cycle does not occur every month. Irregular periods are the most common symptom of PCOS.
- Cysts in the ovaries:
Because of hyperandrogenism, follicles do not ovulate, which results in the formation of a string of peals called Cysts. These cysts can be analyzed through sonography and transcervical ultrasound.
Biochemistry of PCOS:
Abnormality in the neuroendocrine system causes Luteinizing hormone (LH) overstimulation. Which turn, diminishes Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) production. LH and FSH hormones play a crucial role in follicle maturation and ovulation. The imbalance between LH and FSH cause theca cell in ovaries to release more androgen, which causes impaired follicle development. Such compromised follicles are unable to ovulate. They become surrounded by follicular fluid, which gives them a pearl-like appearance, and are called cysts.
What if PCOS is not treated on time?
Insulin is the hormone released from the pancreas, which helps in glucose metabolism. Due to a mutation in the insulin resistance receptor gene, the insulin signalling cascade alters, which results in an error in glucose deposition. For this reason, your body can not use glucose for energy production and becomes insulin-insensitive or resistant. Because of this, the sugar or glucose level in the body increases, and the body becomes glucose intolerant. This condition leads to obesity and diabetes.
It is a condition in which the outer lining of the uterus thickens and grows outside the uterus. Females with prolonged and untreated PCOS have a higher chance of developing endometriosis. The reason is that high estrogen in PCOS facilitates uterine tissue, contributing to endometriosis. Females experiencing endometriosis might encounter painful periods, stomach aches, and infertility.
The dysfunctional metabolic and hormonal state of women with PCOS may exacerbate their risk of developing endometrium and ovarian cancer. Because of anovulation in PCOS, estrogen dominance occurs, which causes endometrium tissue buildup. The thickening of the uterus lining can lead to endometrium cancer.
Common PCOS symptoms like hypertension, high cholesterol level, insulin resistance, obesity, and hyperglycemia are the hallmarks of developing heart disease.
Because of anovulation and menstrual irregularity in PCOS, a woman's chances of getting pregnant decrease. Thereby, it is one of the bizarre consequences of PCOS.
Approximately 50 to 70% of females with PCOS are obese, with more than 35 BMI range. Because of insulin resistance in PCOS, glucose metabolism does not occur properly, and the body cannot utilize glucose for energy production. Over time, this glucose buildup forms glycogen and then stores it in Adipose tissue or fats around the belly region, face, neck, and lower body. You can check your BMI here.
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| Body Mass Index (BMI) |
How You Can Manage PCOS:
Healthy lifestyle:
Most women with PCOS are overweight, which increases the chances of obesity, coronary heart disease, etc. Losing some pounds will help decrease the overstimulation of reproductive and metabolic hormones like androgen, insulin, and LH.
Consuming nutritious food and avoiding certain things from your diet will help you naturally regulate your menstrual cycle and cure PCOS.
. Bad eating habits, fast food consumption, refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, and bakery items would mess up your endocrine system and contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance. Add fibre-rich food, lean proteins, and anti-inflammatory food to your diet.
- Exercise:
Exercise is crucial not only for your PCOS but also for your holistic health. Physical training like low-intensity workouts, cycling, strength training, and aerobics will regulate your blood sugar level. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and long-distance running may also improve symptoms of PCOS.
- Medications:
A contraceptive pill is prescribed by the Doctor if the person has PCOS. In some cases, medicines like birth control pills can worsen the symptoms of PCOS. Before doing self-medication, consult your gynaecologist first. Several contraceptive pills might regulate your menstrual cycle but can cause adverse effects on the other body system.
According to one research, acupuncture acts as an alternative treatment for PCOS. Acupuncture may;
- Improve blood flow to your ovaries.
- Reduce ovarian cyst’s volume and number.
- Maintain blood sugar level.
- Aids in weight loss
- Improves your sensitivity to insulin
The bottom line:
PCOS is a multifactorial syndrome that can cause disturbance in your reproductive system, metabolism, and endocrine system. There is no single cause of PCOS, and many environmental and biological factors contribute to the development of cysts in the ovaries, which cause anovulation and delayed menstrual cycle. Although, there is no permanent cure for PCOS. However, changing your diet, losing weight, adopting healthy eating habits, and a callisthenics lifestyle would help treat PCOS.
If your symptoms persist, consult with a general practitioner. They can diagnose the root cause of PCOS with some tests and ultrasound then the Doctor recommends further steps based on your health profile.
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