02/12/2022
Some common symptoms of PCOS you need to know. This is an easiest way to suspect if you have PCOS or not, so that you can start your schedule to combat it. The main villain that comes along with PCOS is insulin resistance, that causes the following problems. But there is nothing to be panic because if there is a problem, there always exists a solution.
1. If you have delayed or prolonged periods or more than one periods in a month. Along with this you may gain weight. Weight gain is due to insulin resistance which causes your pancreas to make more hormone. That extra insulin promotes fat storage and increases hunger, which can cause weight gain. Other hormones that regulate hunger and fullness can also be affected with PCOS.
2. Fatigue is another problem that you may experience along with this. Normal tiredness can be relieved by sleep and rest. But excessive tiredness, also known as fatigue, can be overwhelming and seriously affect a person's quality of life. Fatigue is also a result of insulin resistance, that may cause your cells take less glucose or sometimes it may take more glucose than the requirement which causes uncontrolled glucose levels and leads to type 2 diabetes. If your cells are not taking the actual amount of glucose as per their requirement, they may not function well, which can cause tiredness or fatigue.
3. Studies have been found that PCOS may cause Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and excessive day sleepiness. The most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked. PCOS involves hyperandrogenemia, a form of insulin resistance unique to affected women, and possible changes in cortisol and melatonin secretion, arguably reflecting altered hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function. Psychological and behavioral pathways are also likely to play a role, as anxiety and depression, smoking, alcohol use and lack of physical activity are also common among women with PCOS, partly in response to the distressing symptoms they experience. So this may cause sleep disorders among them.
4. Melatonin is a hormone that your brain produces in response to darkness. It helps with the timing of your circadian rhythms (24-hour internal clock) and with sleep. But due to anxiety and other psychological disturbances like depression and frustration its secretion is hampered which may cause sleep disturbances at night and you may feel tired at day time.
To overcome this problem you have to:
1. Have patience and have faith on the process and most importantly on yourself. As discussed earlier insulin resistance may cause difficulty in weight loss but there is no evidence that it stops weight loss. It takes time and your patience, consistency and hardwork definitely help you to lose weight. Slow weight loss may cause anxiety, frustration and may demotivate you for the exercise but this is the peak and most hardest time for weight-loss. If you are able to overcome this you will definitely conquer the PCOS.
2. To overcome anxiety do meditations. Follow a healthy food pattern. And you may take additional supplements as per doctor's advice.
Dr Mohammad Sarimul Hoque Mazumder
MBBS MS Obstetrics and Gynaecologist
Makunda Christian Leprosy And General Hospital
