Polycystic ovarian syndrome affects around 10 per cent of premenopausal women and it is a major cause of infertility, as well as resulting in unpleasant side effects.
Here is what you need to know about PCOS:
What is Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a disorder of the endocrine system that leaves levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone out of balance. This results in cysts growing on the ovaries and a variety of unpleasant side effects.
Scientists don’t know what causes it, although it’s thought genes play a part. Women with it produce higher levels than normal of the male sex hormone androgen and it’s thought this could be due to excess insulin.
Symptoms of PCOS include:
A deeper voice
Excess hair on the face, stomach or chest
Decrease in breast size
Bad acne
Weight gain
Infertility
Anxiety or depression.
PCOS can’t be cured but there are some treatments that can help to manage the condition. Women who don’t want to get pregnant may be prescribed the Pill, which can help to regulate the menstrual cycle.
If infertility is an issue and you want to get pregnant, fertility drugs may help.
In some cases, surgery may be suggested. This involves puncturing the ovary with a needle that carries an electric current, which destroys part of the ovary but promotes ovulation.
Here are five things you need to know:
1 There is a link between polycystic ovarian syndrome and diabetes
Women with PCOS are three to five times more likely to develop diabetes, especially if they are overweight or obese, according to research.
And around 27 per cent of premenopausal women who have type 2 diabetes also have PCOS. It’s thought the common link is insulin resistance (when cells in the body are unable to use insulin effectively to break down sugars), which plays a role in both conditions. Medication and lifestyle changes that target insulin resistance may be able to help treat PCOS.
Women with PCOS may also have a greater risk of heart disease and endometrial cancer.
2 Your genes may be responsible for PCOS
Scientists are looking into whether a variant in a gene is the reason why some women get the condition. Research has found that women whose mothers had PCOS are eight times more likely to have it. They also had a slightly higher risk if their mothers smoked during pregnancy or had elevated blood pressure while they were expecting.
Also, the brothers of women with PCOS tend to have a higher incidence of insulin resistance, suggesting a genetic link.
3 It is possible to have PCOS and not realise it
Some women don’t have typical symptoms, such as disrupted menstrual cycles and excess hair.
They may not know there is a problem until they have difficulty getting pregnant and tests reveal higher than normal levels of male hormones.
4 Some women think they can’t have PCOS because they don’t experience any pain
But discomfort is not usually a symptom of the condition. If there is any pain with periods, it could be due to an associated condition.
5 One of the most effective things you can do if you have PCOS is lose weight
Shedding excess kilos can get you ovulating and having periods again. Studies show that women with PCOS who lose weight but don’t have any other treatments can go on to get pregnant in between 30 and 60 per cent of cases.
Meanwhile, it is important to exercise, as it not only helps with weight loss but makes cells more responsive to insulin, so they can use it more effectively. This will help to decrease your chances of developing diabetes.
