Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Meg Clifford
- Jun 8, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 8, 2020
I have had a lot of questions on my weight loss videos and many of them ask 'what is PCOS?' I thought it would be a good idea to put some key information about PCOS on my blog so that you can find out more about the syndrome. I am not a doctor and the information below is based on my own research. Always speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your health.
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work. There are three main features of PCOS and if you have at least 2 of these, your doctor may diagnose you.
Irregular periods – which means your ovaries do not regularly release eggs (ovulation)
Excess androgen – high levels of "male" hormones in your body, which may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair
Polycystic ovaries – your ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs (but despite the name, you do not actually have cysts if you have PCOS)
Polycystic ovaries
Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of harmless follicles that are up to 8mm (approximately 0.3in) in size. The follicles are under-developed sacs in which eggs develop. In PCOS, these sacs are often unable to release an egg, which means ovulation does not take place. It's difficult to know exactly how many women have PCOS, but it's thought to be very common, affecting about 1 in every 5 women in the UK. More than half of these women do not have any symptoms.
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
If you have signs and symptoms of PCOS, they'll usually become apparent during your late teens or early 20s. They can include:
Irregular periods or no periods at all
Difficulty getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate
Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks
Weight gain
Thinning hair and hair loss from the head
Oily skin or acne
PCOS is also associated with an increased risk of developing health problems in later life, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
What causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it often runs in families. It's related to abnormal hormone levels in the body, including high levels of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls sugar levels in the body. Many women with PCOS are resistant to the action of insulin in their body and produce higher levels of insulin to overcome this. This contributes to the increased production and activity of hormones like testosterone. Being overweight or obese also increases the amount of insulin your body produces.
Treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
There's no cure for PCOS, but the symptoms can be treated. Speak to a GP if you think you may have the condition. If you have PCOS and you're overweight, losing weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet can make some symptoms better. Medications are also available to treat symptoms such as excessive hair growth, irregular periods and fertility problems.
Personally, I have been on a number of different medications to help control my PCOS however I feel that I am just prolonging the symptoms and once I do eventually come off medication, should I want to have a family in the future, the 'band-aid' of medication will be ripped off and the symptoms will still be there. There is a lot of research that suggests you can effectively manage and reduce your PCOS symptoms through eating the right foods for your body and doing the right exercises. This is why I have started blogging my journey, as I trial and error what works for me, in a bid to come off medication and manage my PCOS naturally.
Please follow my PCOS journey on social media:
Source: NHS PCOS
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