Let’s start at the beginning. What is PCOS?
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a condition that affects roughly one in every five women in the UK (although it is thought that many of these women will be living with it undiagnosed). As with Endometriosis, and as with, depressingly, many “female” conditions, diseases, and illnesses, PCOS is under-researched, difficult to diagnose, and has no known cure. (Anyone still playing my drinking game at home? Time to take a shot).
The three main characteristics of PCOS are that the ovaries do not regularly release eggs, resulting in irregular periods; excess levels of androgens, or male hormones, which often leads to excess facial or body hair; and polycystic ovaries, in which the ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs. As stated by the NHS, “despite the name, you do not actually have cysts if you have PCOS.” These follicles are harmless in that they should not cause pain, can be up to 8mm in size, and are underdeveloped sacs in which eggs develop. These sacs often are then unable to release an egg, meaning that ovulation does not take place.
PCOS is related to abnormal hormone levels in your body and, while there is no known cause, exactly, it is thought to be hereditary. Many women with PCOS are resistant to the action of insulin in their bodies, meaning that they must produce more insulin to overcome it. This results in the increased production and activity of hormones (like testosterone) and also promotes weight gain.
The main symptoms of PCOS are experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle or even getting no period at all; excessive hair growth; weight gain – especially if the weight gain occurs very suddenly with no apparent external cause and if the majority of the weight gain is around the upper body and stomach area; thinning hair and loss of hair from the head; oily skin or acne.
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