23/03/2022
*PCOS | POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME*
Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) is a medical condition that affects 10-20 percent of women who are of childbearing age (15-40yrs), prevalence much higher in obese women.
It is a syndrome involving the genetic, hormonal, metabolic, a reproductive system wherein the patient is entangled in a vicious circle. It can affect all females – from adolescence to premenopause and post-menopause with numerous implications on general health and wellbeing. From a young teenager to a mature women, it creates havoc due to the demanding professional and personal life. It is responsible for as much as 80 percent of infertility issues in women due to anovulation.
*Why it had been named PCOS?*
PCOS stands for Polycystic ovarian syndrome i.e when there are multiple small fluid-filled sacs or cysts in the ovaries which prevents the ovulation process. These cysts are not exactly harmful but lead to an imbalance in hormones disrupting the menstrual cycle. This imbalance results in an increased level of male s*x hormones and insulin resistance with lowered levels of progesterone which leads to irregular (or no) periods, acne, excess hair, and weight gain.
In the majority of PCOS cases the ovaries are filled with cysts but sometimes a female might have PCOS but no cyst.
*What leads to PCOS?*
The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown however, the following reasons are attributed to its cause.
1 Genetic: One might carry PCOS gene from the family. Studies have revealed that genetically it is found in the mother or sister in the family. It may set the stage for PCOS to initiate but will progress only in the presence of hyperinsulinemia.
2 Inappropriate lifestyle: Inappropriate dietary choices or sedentary lifestyle creates a platform for obesity especially abdominal obesity leading to insulin resistance. The increased levels of insulin create an imbalance in ovulation by enhancing the male hormones or androgens production. Increased Insulin levels in combination with poor lifestyle habits exaggerate the hormonal disruption leading to PCOS.
3 Stress: This is one aggravating factor that imbalances the hormonal cycle.If a female is in constant crisis mode and suffers from anxiety, depression, perennial tension it triggers the release of stress hormones. The cortisol hormone doesn’t get metabolized and the testosterone (male hormone) increases making your symptoms worse.
*What are the complaints of PCOS women?*
Most women with PCOS start to notice symptoms in their late teens and twenties although some might suffer unaware. Few women experience problems after marriage too. It gets diagnosed only when a female presents with any of the major symptoms.
Check on the symptoms which vary from female to female:
Menstruation abnormalities – Absent, infrequent, irregular periods due to the imbalance of hormones.
Infertility – Ovulation is necessary for the pregnancy to happen. However, some women with PCOS don’t ovulate regularly or don’t ovulate at all.
Acne – Acne which lasts longer than the normal teenage years persists due to too much testosterone.
Obesity – Accumulation of fat over the waistline and lower body creates abdominal obesity which disrupts the metabolism resulting in weight gain.
Insulin resistance – Higher than normal amount of insulin in the body, which creates an imbalance with other hormones and puts one at increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Hirusitism – Excess hair on face, chest, tummy due to production of excessive testosterone.
Alopecia – The thinning of scalp hair particularly at the top of the head and temple region like males if you produce too much testosterone.
*How hormones affect PCOS?*
Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of insulin in the body resulting in insulin resistance. Elevated levels of insulin cause the ovaries to produce more androgens(like testosterone). Insulin also decreases the production of s*x hormone-binding globulin — a glycoprotein that prevents testosterone from freely entering cells. With more androgen production and less s*x hormone-binding globulin, free testosterone can freely float through the blood and interact with cells. This can cause hair growth on the chest and face, mood swings, fatigue, low s*x drive, acne, and other PCOS symptoms.
As androgen levels continue to increase, they stimulate 5-alpha reductase activity — an enzyme that converts testosterone to a more potent metabolite called dihydrotestosterone. This makes PCOS symptoms even worse. In fact, all these hormones- insulin, testosterone, LH, cortisol & thyroid are interlinked. This is because the endocrine (hormone) system regulating your blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as your s*x hormones and stress hormones, is a sensitive web of interconnections. If one hormone is out of balance the others will be affected too.
Hence PCOS women tend to have a higher than normal risk of developing diabetes and a high cholesterol level later in life. It also increases the risk of having a stroke and developing uterine cancer.
*How PCOD is different from PCOS?*
A woman suffering from PCOD(Polycystic Ovarian disease) might not have the same problems as the one suffering from PCOS. PCOS is a more severe form of PCOD as the hormonal imbalance is way more than that in PCOD.PCOD is limited to your reproductive organs whereas in PCOS the whole endocrine nexus is developed with other associated symptoms. PCOD doesn’t spell infertility for all women. In around 80 percent of cases, women can conceive with a little help and have a smooth pregnancy.
For women with PCOS conception is challenging because of the extreme hormonal irregularities. However, in both cases, timely diagnosis and corrective treatment can help overcome the syndrome and make the road for conception.
*Let’s clear some MYTHS and know the FACTS of PCOS*
Myth 1: PCOS cannot be treated.
Fact: The management of PCOS includes lifestyle modifications, weight reduction & medical treatment with hormones or medications depending on the symptoms a woman experiences.
Myth 2: Cysts in the ovaries mean no PCOS.
Fact: In some cases, polycystic ovaries fail to show up in a regular ultrasound scan, hence the transvaginal scan is recommended for the actual picture. The diagnosis is based on the symptoms and the scan.
Myth 3:All women with PCOS show the same symptoms.
Fact: The symptoms of PCOS vary from a woman to other. The symptom ranges from obesity to menstrual problems to hormonal changes in various age groups.
Myth 4: Birth Control Pills are the only way to regulate periods.
Fact: The Birth control pills work only like a band-aid to treat PCOS. These regulate the periods but in long term are associated with health risks like increased lipid, insulin level, weight and inflammation, loss of vitamins and minerals.
Weight loss, a healthy diet, exercise, and alternative treatments are effective ways to do so.
Myth 5: PCOS leads to infertility
Fact: PCOS is not the only cause of infertility. As there can be other causes for not able to conceive therefore it is not right to accept that a female can’t get pregnant with PCOS.
Myth 6:PCOS Only Affects Overweight Women
Fact: Overweight women generally tend insulin resistance which disturbs the reproductive hormone cycle. Obesity makes the symptoms worse but PCOS can also be found in thin women. That’s why getting into the habit of eating healthy and exercising regularly is recommended as part of most women’s treatment plans.
Myth 7:Diabetes causes PCOS
Fact: It is PCOS that can cause diabetes and not the other way round. As PCOS leads to hormonal changes, it also causes insulin resistance making you vulnerable to have type 2 diabetes as you age. Also, if you are overweight or obese and have PCOS, you are at a high risk of diabetes.
Myth 8: PCOS is a Lifelong sentence
Fact: Many females get depressed and take it as a lifelong sentence. However, it can be managed with lifestyle correction, alternative treatments & healing modalities. Stress is an aggravating factor as it escalates the hormonal imbalance.
PCOD is not a lifelong punishment but can be reversed naturally with correct guidance of diet, physical activity, and other holistic measures. Our ancient science had also emphasized Ahara(food),dincharya(lifestyle), various home remedies & ayurvedic medicines to maintain optimal women health.
However, modern medicine treats PCOS only with hormonal pills which have ample side effects.
We help women with PCOS at our clinic.
Connect with us if you would like to observe a Naturopathic approach. WhatsApp 96759420
Saravanan Naturopath
Naturopathic Therapies Clinic
www.naturopathy.sg
