In this post I will cover:
The meaning of PCOS
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
The meaning of PCOS:
PCOS stands for Polycystic ovarian syndrome, it is a very common condition affecting about every 1 in 10 women in the UK. Signs usually become apparent in your late teens or early 20's.
This condition affects how women's ovaries work, resulting in...
Irregular or no periods, meaning the ovaries are not ovulating regularly.
Enlarged ovaries containing multiple fluid-filled sacs that surround the eggs.
High levels of "male" hormones (androgen) causing physical signs such as excess facial or body hair.
If you have 2 or more of these features you may be diagnosed with PCOS.
Symptoms:
There are lots of symptoms to PCOS and more symptoms are becoming known all the time. Not every woman with PCOS will have all of the symptoms, and each symptom can vary from mild to severe. Some woman only experience menstrual problems or are unable to conceive.
Common symptoms include:
Irregular to no periods.
Hirsutism, this is excessive hair growth usually on the face, chest, back or bum.
Oily skin and acne
Thinning hair and hair loss from the head
Difficulty getting pregnant
Weight gain
Anxiety
PCOS can also increase your chances of developing other health problems later in life such as type 2 diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea.
Causes:
The cause is unknown, though it is thought to be related to abnormal hormone levels, genetics and resistance to insulin.
It is thought that PCOS can run in families. If any relatives such as your mother, sister or aunt have PCOS the risk is increased of you potentially having the same.
Imbalance of hormones such as:
Raised level of testosterone (Often thought as a male hormone but all women produce small amounts)
Raised level of luteinising (LH) which stimulates ovulation but can have an abnormal effect on the ovaries if levels are too high.
Low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
Diagnosis:
If you have any of the signs stated above, speak to your GP! They will ask about your symptoms to help rule out other possible causes along with taking your blood pressure.
They will then arrange for you to have a number blood/hormone tests to find out whether the excess hormone production is caused by PCOS.
They may also need an ultrasound scan which can show whether you have a high number of follicles in your ovaries.
In my personal experience after being diagnosed I left with next to no information. I highly recommend asking for a referral to a specialist as soon as you can because you can then discuss any concerns and grow greater knowledge on your condition and ways you can help.
Every woman suffers differently so what may work for one person may not work for you, but one thing I hope you leave with after reading this is that if you think you have it, or do have it, you aren't alone and there are so many ladies out there in groups on Facebook and Instagram which will support you, including myself!!
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