PCOS Awareness
Information on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a health condition that affects about 10 million people in the world.
The exact cause is unknown, but it is considered a hormonal problem.
Genetics and environmental factors are believed to be involved in the
development of PCOS. It is a leading cause of female infertility and is
responsible for a number of symptoms that can affect the body physically
and emotionally.
Despite the name, many people do not have cysts on their
ovaries. In 2013, an independent panel of experts recommended to the
National Institutes of Health that the name be changed because the name is
confusing and hinders patient care and research efforts. Hormones involved
in PCOS include:
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Androgens
- All females make androgens (also referred to as “male hormones”), but there are often higher levels of androgens in women with PCOS. The excess androgens are produced mostly by the ovaries, but the adrenal glands can also be involved. Excess androgens are responsible for many PCOS symptoms including acne, unwanted hair, thinning hair, and irregular periods.
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Insulin
- This hormone allows the body to absorb glucose (blood sugar) into the cells for energy. In PCOS, the body isn’t as responsive to insulin as it should be. This can lead to elevated blood glucose levels and cause the body to make more insulin. Having too much insulin can cause the body to make more androgens.
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Progesterone
- In PCOS, a lack of progesterone contributes to irregular periods.
Read more about PCOS on the website of the PCOS Awareness Association