Do you know someone who has recently discovered that they suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms, and would like to learn more about this syndrome, its symptoms, and possible treatments to help manage their symptoms better?
Our guide on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can help.
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome, often abbreviated as PCOS, is a relatively common disorder that can affect folks during their reproductive age.
If you suffer from PCOS, your ovaries might produce too many follicles and are generally unable to release eggs regularly.
Not much is known about what causes PCOS, but what we know is that this condition affects your hormones and generates a variety of symptoms.
Among the most common symptoms associated with PCOS, medical professionals have identified insulin resistance and blood sugar issues, which can cause an increase in the production of androgen and can therefore lead to issues with ovulation.
Genes seem to play an important role in the development of this syndrome with studies pointing to hereditary factors being one reason why some women get PCOS, and others don’t.
In other cases, women’s ovaries produce extremely high levels of androgen, which translates into acne, hirsutism, and PCOS.
How Does It Affect You?
PCOS is a syndrome that can appear in different stages of a person’s life, with several different symptoms.
Some people develop PCOS symptoms in puberty, while others show the first signs later on in life, for example following a period characterized by weight gain.
Some of the most tell-tale signs of PCOS include irregular or anovulatory periods, excess androgen (as seen on laboratory diagnostics or seen as hirsutism (excess hair growth in areas of the body not prone to hair development), and polycystic ovaries.
Menstrual cycles that are infrequent, irregular, or abnormally long, short, or heavy are among the most common symptoms of PCOS.
Abnormally high levels of androgen – male hormones – are another strong sign that you might be suffering from PCOS.
These translate into your body producing excess body and facial hair, androgen-sensitive hair loss, and sometimes even very strong acne.
Another clear sign that you have probably developed PCOS is the presence of enlarged ovaries which contain follicles that block the release of your eggs. This means that your ovaries won’t be able to function normally, and that ovulation will be prevented or hindered.
If you have at least two of the symptoms described above, then there is a strong chance that you might have PCOS. However, seeing your Vancouver health practitioner is paramount to help you establish this.
Booking a visit with a naturopathic health care provider with a special focus in PCOS is essential not only in order to receive (or rule out) a diagnosis of PCOS, but also because untreated PCOS can cause several complications – some of which might be quite serious.
For example, if you don’t treat your PCOS period symptoms you might experience prolonged, unexplained infertility, and a higher risk of miscarriage or premature birth if you end up getting pregnant.
Moreover, PCOS has also been linked to a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes (the type of diabetes that you might develop in pregnancy), high blood pressure in pregnancy, metabolic syndrome (which includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (a serious inflammation of the liver).
Other severe complications that can occur with PCOS are endometrial cancer, as well as mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Abnormal bleeding is also associated with PCOS, and it’s important to highlight that all of these symptoms and complications tend to be worse – and more serious – in people with a higher waist to hip ratios.
What Are the Available Treatments?
It generally takes someone with PCOS an average of 5-10 years to get properly diagnosed with this syndrome through mainstream channels. We encourage you to speak to a naturopathic doctor who is familiar with this complex syndrome extensively about your symptoms to talk about available treatments and come up with an action plan that works for your specific goals. For example, if you want to get pregnant and are having trouble, then your treatment would focus on helping you conceive. If you want to reduce PCOS-related acne, your treatment would be geared toward skin problems.
Treatment for PCOS is complicated and it varies from patient to patient, but after the naturopathic doctor thoroughly assesses the patient and reviewed the most recent lab results, they will most likely use a combination of nutraceuticals, herbs, acupuncture and pharmaceuticals based on your goals, budget and preferences.
The naturopathic doctor might also suggest a couple of lifestyle modifications inducing improving sleep, reducing stress, exercise, and addressing any nutritional deficiencies to help patients reach a healthier more balanced life with their PCOS.
Moving Forward With PCOS
Understanding what PCOS is, what its main symptoms are, and how to treat it is paramount to helping you enjoy a healthier life, support your fertility goals, and lower your chances of developing potentially life-threatening diseases, such as cancer or cardiovascular conditions.
If you think you have spotted some common signs of PCOS in yourself or a loved one, be sure to talk to a medical professional as soon as possible to see what your options are.