( 06 SEP 2020 )

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one such condition that leaves a major impact on hormone levels of women. Women dealing with PCOS produce higher than usual amounts of male hormones. This imbalance causes skipping of menstrual periods and makes it difficult to conceive.

Not just that, but there are a variety of other issues that the body goes through with PCOS. In this post, let's find out more about the same.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is largely related to hormones where a woman, during her childbearing years (15 to 44 years of age) goes through certain imbalances. According to the statistics, almost 2.2% - 26.7% of women between this age group are dealing with PCOS.

In simple words, this condition ends up affecting ovaries, the reproductive organs that are responsible for producing progesterone and estrogen hormones, which help to regulate the menstrual cycle. These ovaries also produce small amounts of male hormones, known as androgens.

When the secretion of androgen happens in larger than the normal amount, it leads to PCOS.As a syndrome, PCOS affects ovaries as well as the ovulation system. The three major aspects of this issue are:

• Skipped or irregular periods
• Cysts in ovaries
• High levels of male hormone

The Causes of PCOS:

Although the exact causes behind this condition are still unknown, doctors and scientists believe that higher levels of male hormones avert ovaries from producing hormones and eggs in a normal way. Thus, factors that could be related to PCOS in a woman are:

• Several genes may contribute to this condition
• The lower amount of blood insulin compels the pancreases to make more of it to compensate; this extra insulin triggers ovaries to secret more androgen
• Increased level of inflammation
• Being overweight

Symptoms of PCOS:

While some women may experience symptoms when they get periods for the first time; some may end up discovering it after gaining a lot of weight or experiencing issues while conceiving.

• However, some of the common symptoms that you must keep in mind are:
• Irregular periods; for instance, getting lesser than eight period cycles in a year
• Heavier than normal bleeding
• Hair growth on different body parts, such as the face, back, belly and chest
• Skin getting oilier and breakouts on different areas, such as upper back, chest and face
• Gaining weight or being obese
• Falling out or thinning of hair on the scalp
• Darkening of the skin on areas like neck, groin and under the breasts
• Triggered headache

The Bottom Line:
Undeniably, PCOS can be the culprits behind disrupting menstrual cycles and making it difficult to get pregnant. Along with that, higher levels of male hormones can also create a plethora of issues to deal with.

As per the skilled and proficient doctors, lifestyle interventions are the major treatment that you can do with PCOS. And, often, altering the behaviour and standard of living work amazingly well.Dieting and aerobic exercising to lose weight can help to enhance PCOS and to improve the odds of conceiving.

If not, you can also go with the certain medication to treat this problem. However, irrespective of the step you take, make sure you treat this problem from its root to get adequate results.