PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) And Hormones
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PCOS, which is short for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, is a condition that many women are afflicted with. The majority of symptoms of PCOS are caused by hormonal changes.
Studies suggest an important link between PCOS and a variety of hormonal changes. The biggest hormonal changes are an increase in androgens. Androgens are male hormones, such as testosterone. Androgens can cause a variety of problems, such as hair appearing in odd places and acne. Androgens may also be partly responsible for the weight gain that often accompanies PCOS. This weight gain would typically be concentrated in the belly, as opposed to the hips. Androgens can also interfere with the process of ovulation.
There are also changes in ovarian hormones that are caused by PCOS. These hormones, that trigger ovulation, are an important part of a woman’s cycle. If these hormones are not at the correct levels, the ovaries will not relapse an egg each month and ovulation will not occur. This is the most common cause of infertility among women who have PCOS.
Hormonal changes brought about by PCOS also can affect levels of insulin and blood sugar. Roughly 50% of the women who suffer from PCOS will have difficulty with the way that there body uses insulin. This is known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes their blood sugar levels to grow to dangerous levels. IN some instances, this can even lead to diabetes and Hyperinsulinemia, or too much insulin. This can lead to many of the other symptoms, which can include weight gain in the upper body, skin tags, and patches of dark skin on the neck, in the genital area, or under the arm.
Some health care providers will recommend diabetic medications, such as Metformin, to help the patient with PCOS. Also known as Glucophage, this medication impacts the way that insulin regulates glucose, and it also helps to cause a decrease in the production of testosterone. This can help ovulation to return, and can also help to slow down the irregular hair growth.
Another possible treatment for PCOS, for the woman who doesn’t want to get pregnant, is birth control pills. The pill can help keep the menstrual cycle regular, and it can also reduce the levels of male hormones. Birth control pills may also help to clear acne.
There are medications available that will also help with the extra male hormones present in the woman’s systems. Spironolactone is a medication that is typically used for blood pressure, but is also known to help reduce hair growth. Some research suggests that Propecia, a medication used by men to combat hair loss, can also help with unwanted hair.
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