Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an ovulatory disorder, hormone imbalance, and (often) metabolic disorder that impacts 1 in 10 women. It is the #1 cause of infertility but is not just a fertility disorder: it can lead to other chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, estrogen-related cancers, and more.
While PCOS is not curable, it is manageable. Let’s learn more!
Irregular periods
Blood sugar & weight issues
Adult acne
Hair loss
Hirsutism (irregular hair growth)
Infertility struggles
Anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges
HYPER-ANDROGENISM
“Androgens” are male hormones like testosterone and DHEA. People with PCOS are born into bodies that are assigned female at birth, meaning they should have lower levels of androgens than male bodies. However, “hyperandrogenism” means that androgens are abnormally elevated, which is commonly seen in PCOS. This can lead to a variety of symptoms like irregular cycles, acne, and hair loss, as well as serious health concerns like infertility.
ANOVULATION OR OLIGO-OVULATION
“Anovulation” and “oligo-ovulation” means that you are not ovulating or are not ovulating regularly respectively. Ovulation is the process when your ovaries release an egg; it generally occurs at week 2 of your menstrual cycle and is a necessary component of having a regular period as well as conception. It is difficult for people with PCOS to ovulate consistently and frequently.
POLYCYSTIC OVARIES
People with PCOS have ovaries that are referred to as “polycystic.” These do not refer to true ovarian cysts - which can be painful and large in nature - but rather dozens of follicles (immature eggs) that develop around the ovaries. This occurs because bodies with PCOS have a more difficult time ovulating than those with balanced hormones, and in many cases the body will try to repeatedly prepare many eggs for ovulation.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Many people find lifestyle adjustments are effective when it comes to managing PCOS symptoms. When making changes to your routine, you can more effectively combat the “root cause” of your condition. These treatment methods include:
- Diet: With PCOS it is recommended you eat plenty of antioxidants and a diet of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats; for those with insulin-resistant PCOS, being mindful of foods that spike your blood sugar is important).
- Exercise: For some this may be gentle movement like yoga and walking; for others it may mean high intensity interval sessions).
- Stress management: Stress means cortisol, and cortisol increases androgens. This can worsen PCOS symptoms.
- Sleep hygiene: Regulating your circadian rhythm with quality sleep and time in sunlight can encourage hormonal balance).
- Clean make up and household products: Many of us are using beauty and cleaning products that are laden with endocrine disrupting chemicals. Being mindful of what we put in and around our bodies can help limit exposure to toxins that are likely to keep hormones imbalanced.
TL; DR: You can’t! However, it can be controlled.
PCOS is a chronic, lifelong disorder. That means that it will need to be something that you manage throughout the course of your life. However, through learning effective symptom management techniques you can minimize bothersome symptoms as well as your risk for serious health conditions down the line.
Working with a PCOS specialists like one of the providers in Pollie’s directory can help.
PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an ovulatory disorder that impacts 1 in 10 people with ovaries. It is a chronic condition, meaning it is lifelong. While it can be managed with lifestyle and pharmaceutical treatment strategies, it cannot be “cured” - if lifestyle changes revert or medication is stopped, for most people symptoms will return.
PCOD
Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) is a similar condition to PCOS. Like PCOS, ovulation and periods may be irregular, but this tends to be less pronounced than in PCOS cases and cycles are typically more consistent. Likewise, other symptoms are usually less severe with PCOD. Most people with PCOD do not learn they have this condition until they have fertility issues, although they also respond to lifestyle treatments more effectively than PCOS cases.
