Did you know that up to 1 in 10 women live with a condition that affects their hormones, metabolism, and even how their body processes food? Imagine going months without a period or battling unexpected severe acne; that is life for many women with PCOS. PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary syndrome, is an issue with hormones that happens during reproductive years. It is the most common endocrine disorder of young women and involves many different factors. Like me, most people with PCOS don’t even know that they have this condition. Welcome to the world of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that keeps women on their toes, whether they want to be or not.

The name Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) comes from the small sacs of fluid that develop on the outer edge of the ovary. The small sacs of fluid (cysts) contain immature eggs (follicles). Here are the three key features of PCOS:

1. Polycystic Ovaries: When follicles fail to shrivel up and don’t reabsorb into the body, they become cystic, causing ovarian cysts. Enlarged ovaries that appear to hold large pearls when documented via ultrasound. However, the presence of these cysts is not enough to make a diagnosis, as PCOS is a spectrum of disease.
2. High levels of Androgens: These are male hormones that cause excess facial and body hair referred to as hirsutism. Additionally, severe acne and male-pattern baldness can happen as well. More than 80 percent of women who present with some of these symptoms are later diagnosed with PCOS.
3. Irregular or AWOL periods: A woman’s menstrual cycle might last longer, be heavier, or occur only every few months (fewer than 8 periods a year).

PCOS loves variety so complications can be a bit of a grab-bag here are some things a woman with PCOS might experience:

• Abnormal menstruation
• Hirsutism (unwanted facial hair)
• Acne
• Cysts
• Thinning hair on the head
• Metabolic syndrome
• Infertility
• Severe liver inflammation
• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
• Depression and anxiety
• Dark patches on the skin
• Sleep Apnea
• Weight gain
• Weigh loss resistance
• Fatigue
• Heavy or painful periods

PCOS is a bit of a mystery. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown but here is what we know so far:

Insulin resistance: The pancreas creates a hormone called insulin, which allows cells to use sugar. If and when the cells become insulin-resistant, the body’s blood sugar levels can spike. To bring down the blood sugar level, the body creates more insulin; the more insulin, the greater the increase in the male hormone androgen. This is where the hormonal chain reaction occurs.

Hyperandrogenism: High levels of androgen that prevent ovaries from releasing eggs, eventually causing those cysts to form on ovaries. (Not everyone develops cysts).

Low-Grade Inflammation: This is a response to the process of white blood cells making substances to combat infection or injury. In people with PCOS, this inflammation is long-term, leading to polycystic ovaries producing androgens.

Understanding PCOS is the first step towards addressing its challenges and the strength it takes to navigate life in this intricate condition. PCOS loves to keep us guessing, but knowledge is the power that keeps us in control of this challenge. Being faced with a PCOS diagnosis can be scary, and while there is no cure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet to manage these symptoms are effective treatments that I can’t wait to explore!

“PCOS does not define you. It is simply a part of your story, not the entire story.”