What is PCOS?
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a common, potentiallly serious, syndrome affecting many women today. At the root of the syndrome is insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone which detrmines blood-sugar levels, and is kept in a healthy range by a naturally-occuring insulin inhibitor. When that inhibitor is suppressed, damaged, or absent, insulin has no control and can reach unhealthy lows and peaks in both men and women. As insulin levels peak, the female body produces too many androgens, which thicken skin and some organic membranes. This is what causes the ovaries to some months not release an egg but rather to hold the egg in a small cyst on the ovary instead. The more times this happens, the more cysts, hence the name Polycysctic Ovary Syndrome.
Women with this syndrome may experience thickening of the skin in some areas of the body, overall bloatedness, sensitivity or pressure in the uterine area, irregular periods, problems getting pregnant, multiple miscarriages, and unnaturally-fluctuaring energy levels. They tend to put on weight around the middle specifically, and are more resistant to losing weight. If this sounds like you, it is important to see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. A diagnosis is determined by blood tests and ultrasound.
Improperly managed or undiaognosed PCOS can lead to cardiovascular disease, uterine cancer, and type II diabetes, and remains the leading cause of infertility in women. PCOS appears to be at least partially genetic, and is masked or may be worsened by the use of birth control hormone pills.
If you have PCOS, one thing that will help you is to follow a glycemic index diet to regulate your sugar levels. This is similar to a diabetic diet and is easy to find in bookstores or on the web.
