PCOS Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

• Causes of PCOS

  The exact cause of PCOS isn't known, but factors that may lead to it include:

  • Heredity: Research suggests that certain genes may be linked to PCOS and it could be passed down in families.

  • Excess Androgens (“Male Hormones”): The ovaries produce higher levels of androgens, which can lead to abnormal hair growth, hair thinning, and acne.

  • Excess Insulin: Excess insulin production may also be responsible for the increase in androgen production.

  • Stress & Environmental Factors: External factors, like diet, exercise and exposure to pollutants may also play a role in the development of PCOS.

  • Low-Grade Inflammation: Women with PCOS may have a type of low-grade inflammation that causes ovaries to produce higher levels of androgens, leading to a hormonal imbalance.
• Signs & Symptoms of PCOS

  Many women first begin noticing the signs and symptoms of PCOS around the time of their first menstrual period during puberty, but because symptoms may not be severe at first or may be attributed to other causes, it can often go undiagnosed for some time.

  Infertility issues may be the first recognized sign of PCOS for women, so many women are not diagnosed until their 20s and 30s, while trying to get pregnant.

  Overall, the signs and symptoms of PCOS vary between women, and tend to be more severe in obese patients. The symptoms typically noticed by patients include:

  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Acne or other skin changes
  • Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
  • Excessive facial or body hair
  • Infertility issues
  • Unexplained weight gain
  • Fatigue
  • Mood changes
  • Headaches
  • Pelvic pain
  • Sleep problems
• Diagnosing PCOS

  If you are displaying symptoms of PCOS, your provider may perform a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis, which could include:

  • Physical exam: Checking for signs of abnormal hair growth, acne, and insulin resistance

  • Pelvic exam: A manual inspection of the reproductive organs for abnormalities

  • Blood tests: Your blood may be tested for glucose, cholesterol, and to measure the level of androgens in your system

  • Ultrasound: An imaging test may be recommended so the doctor can assess the ovaries’ appearance and check for multiple cysts
• Treatments for PCOS

  At this time, there is no cure for PCOS, but there are a number of different treatments available to help reduce the symptoms of PCOS and prevent additional complications from occurring. Some regularly recommended treatments include:

  • Hormonal birth control / oral contraceptives: If you are not seeking to become pregnant, hormonal birth control (which contains estrogen and progestin) can help by decreasing the level of androgens in the body. This helps to regulate periods, control excess hair growth and acne, and may even protect the inner lining of the uterus against abnormal cell growth.

  • Metformin: If increased insulin production is an issue, this drug may be recommended. Typically prescribed to patients with diabetes, Metformin makes the body more sensitive to insulin and can help lower elevated blood glucose levels, insulin levels, and in turn, decrease androgen levels.

  • Ovulation induction: If dealing with PCOS-related infertility issues, your doctor may recommend the use of ovulation induction with clomiphene or letrozole, which are oral medications intended to induce ovulation.

  • Lifestyle changes: As with many disorders, there are a number of lifestyle changes that can make a big impact on the symptoms of PCOS. Healthy nutrition and regular physical activity are important for decreasing inflammation and insulin levels that contribute to ovarian dysfunction as well as reducing the long term risks of PCOS. Additionally, if you are a smoker, quitting can help lower androgen levels.