A complex and common endocrine disorder, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by an excess of ovarian and/or adrenal androgen secretion. Concerning an unknown aetiology, it has been one of the most inadequately understood disorders among doctors, patients, and even scientists.
The most common early symptoms include acne, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), ovulation irregularities, alopecia, and increased androgen levels. In addition to this, the ubiquity of cystic ovaries is over 70% in patients now. Other clinical signs comprise elevated luteinising hormone (LH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) levels. More than 20% of patients have also reported increased amounts of prolactin hormone. Several clinical studies have suggested that thecal cells produce higher amounts of testosterone, progesterone, and hydro-progesterone in PCOS patients than in a normal population.
A common misunderstanding that revolves around this syndrome is its definition. I have seen people describing it as a reproductive syndrome. It’s not their fault. The internet has fed us with incorrect information! It is actually a metabolic syndrome.
I have seen doctors (and personally experienced) prescribing birth control pills and forcing patients to lose weight. They are sent on their way until they are ready to have children.
THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. PCOS contributes to the development of pre-diabetes, type-2 diabetes, fatty liver, insulin resistance, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, endometrial cancer, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, and infertility.
In addition to the higher rates of physical pain, fatigue (YES, PCOS fatigue is real. We are not being LAZY!), and eating disorders, this can put patients at more than 50% of the risk to develop depression and anxiety disorders which even leads to suicidal tendencies in some proportion of women.
Mood swings, poor body image issues, facial hair struggles, stretch-marks, menstrual pain, ... I can go on making a list about all the struggles cysters go through.
Women are so much more than their ability to have children and it’s high time people start getting angry and take some action!
If you have reached this far reading as a non-patient, I hope you have developed some awareness regarding one of the most common syndromes and would work on supporting people around you. If you have PCOS, I send you a virtual hug from a fellow cyster. I heard you. You are doing great! You’re a whole lot more than this disease. Please reach out if you need any help.
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