What is PCOS and how to overcome it?

What is PCOS?

Many people are unaware of this syndrome, and you must know about this if you are a woman. PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a very common syndrome that happens to teenage girls and women in their reproductive years.

It is a hormonal imbalance wherein there is an excessive release of male hormones called (androgens). As you might have studied in biology, the human body has both male and female hormones. In both genders, they are in balance, but in PCOS, there is an imbalance that leads to excessive growth of hair on the faces of females, irregular periods, and various other factors affect a human female.

Today, in this article, we will discuss PCOS symptoms that can help you identify this syndrome and learn how to overcome it.

PCOS Symptoms

1. Irregular periods: Usually, the menstrual cycle of human females ranges from 28 to 30 days. In this case, women face irregular periods with months going without periods or abnormally heavy periods within 15 days.
2. Obesity: Women who are obese face this syndrome at a serious level. Doctors advise obese patients suffering from PCOS to exercise and consult a dietician to get a balanced diet, and hence, their hormones are balanced.
3. Excessive androgens: As there is a rise of male hormones in a female body, there is excessive hair growth on the face and other body parts (hirsutism).
4. Severe acne: The patient will come across a lot of pimples and acne on their face.
5. Hair loss: The patient loses much hair due to this hormonal imbalance.
6. Polycystic ovaries: In this case, your ovaries might be enlarged. The follicles surround the eggs. Hence, the ovaries might fail to function, and there might be pregnancy issues as well.
7. Oily skin: Along with pimples, your skin gets oily, and you get acne.

So, if you are facing any of these symptoms, you must consult a gynecologist immediately. If you face highly irregular periods, infertility issues – it is a sign that you are facing this hormonal imbalance syndrome.

Causes of PCOS

The exact causes of PCOS are still unknown, but today we will look at some factors which might lead to PCOS.

1. Excess Insulin: As you know, insulin is produced by the pancreas, which processes the sugar you consume in simple words. Sugar or glucose is the primary source of energy in your body. When your body becomes resistant to insulin, your sugar levels increase, leading to an increase in the insulin hormone. Excess insulin leads to a rise in androgen levels in your body.
2. Low–grade inflammation: Various research has shown that women who suffer from PCOS have mild inflammation, which leads to stimulation of polycystic ovaries and produces androgens. It leads to heart and blood vessel issues.
3. Heredity: There is a high possibility that you have specific genes that are linked to PCOS.
4. Excess androgen: The ovaries produce a large number of androgens, which leads to hirsutism (excessive hair growth on face and other body parts) and acne.

Women face many complications due to this syndrome. The most affected women by this syndrome are those who are obese.

Complications due to PCOS

After taking a look at the PCOS Symptoms, let us take a look at what are the complications one might face:

• Infertility
• Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.
• Gestational diabetes.
• Miscarriages or premature birth of a baby.
• Liver inflammation due to fat accumulation (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis).
• Metabolic syndrome — a group of conditions like high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels that increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Sleep apnea.
• Mental disorders like depression, anxiety.
• Eating disorders.
• Abnormal uterine bleeding.

Cancer of the uterine lining.

Conclusion

PCOS is a multi organ syndrome, and all its symptoms can be controlled. The first thing the doctors suggest is to consult a dietician and get a grip on your diet. It should be low – calorie, balanced, and with a bit of exercise. If you are young or in your teenage hood, then losing weight is possible and easy. When you exercise, your metabolic activity increases, and you lose weight instantly. Even if you lose 10 % of your body weight – you can overcome PCOS swiftly; the medications will act effectively.

Doctors suggest medications for PCOS, although you can get your hormones balanced with good food and exercise. Birth pills can help you with PCOS as it contains hormones like estrogen and progestin. It regulates the excess release of androgens and reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. When your hormones are regulated, everything starts going back to normal automatically.

There is less awareness of this particular syndrome. Some women and girls don’t even realize they are going through this. Hence, it is significant to educate yourself about this syndrome. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that can be controlled. If you have irregular periods and excess facial hair and pimples, these could be a sign that you have PCOS. You must consult your doctor if you are facing this.