Rise in Number of PCOS Cases in Young Women. Coincide or Not?

By; Amratullah Kapeh Kazir, U17mm1117

A hormonal imbalance known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) develops when your ovaries, which are the organs responsible for producing and releasing eggs, generate too many hormones. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine condition that causes irregular periods, acne, hair loss, and hirsutism ( excess hair most often noticeable around the mouth and chin from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone), is now being identified in an increasing number of female patients.Your ovaries create excessive amounts of androgens if you have PCOS.

Your hormones related to reproduction fall out of balance as a result.Because of this, individuals with PCOS frequently experience irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods, and uncertain ovulation.

What are the signs of PCOS?

Irregular periods: Abnormal menstruation involves missing periods or not having a period at all. It may also involve heavy bleeding during periods.

Abnormal hair growth: You may grow excess facial hair or experience heavy hair growth on your arms, chest and abdomen (hirsutism). This affects up to 70% of people with PCOS.

Acne: PCOS can cause acne, especially on your back, chest and face. This acne may continue past your teenage years and may be difficult to treat.

Obesity: Between 40% and 80% of people with PCOS have obesity and have trouble maintaining a weight that’s healthy for them.

Darkening of the skin: You may get patches of dark skin, especially in the folds of your neck, armpits, groin (between the legs) and under your breasts. This is known as acanthosis nigricans.

Cysts: Many people with PCOS have ovaries that appear larger or with many follicles (egg sac cysts) on ultrasound.

Skin tags: Skin tags are little flaps of extra skin. They’re often found in your armpits or on your neck.

Thinning hair: People with PCOS may lose patches of hair on their head or start to bald.

Infertility: PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in people AFAB. Not ovulating regularly or frequently can result in not being able to conceive.

What are the possible causes of PCOS?

Although the condition is not new, it is spreading rapidly. PCOS wasn't common among patients 20 years ago today, It is frequently encountered. Nearly one in five women are now thought to have polycystic ovaries, with teenagers having an even greater frequency.

What is happening?

I have gathered a list of potential reasons that lead to PCOS one way or the other, some include:

Insulin resistance:

Insulin resistance, which affects 1 in 4 adults and is the defining disease of our modern day, accounts for a significant portion of the issue. Too much sugar (concentrated fructose) in our diet, together with smoking, obesity, trans fats, stress, and environmental pollutants, all contribute to insulin resistance. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease can result from untreated insulin resistance.

Between 50 and 70 percent of people with PCOS are thought to have insulin resistance, which is widely acknowledged as a key contributing factor to the illness.

Because it hinders ovulation and encourages the production of testosterone instead of estrogen, excess insulin produces polycystic ovaries. It makes sense that since insulin resistance is on the rise, PCOS is also on the rise.

Misdiagnosed by ultra sound

Clinical evidence, such as irregular periods, along with a blood test that reveals high androgen levels are necessary for a proper diagnosis of PCOS. The presence of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound examination may or may not also be present, although this result by itself cannot be utilized to determine PCOS.

Why? Because many women on the birth control pill and up to 25% of normal women can have polycystic ovaries.Would a general physician or OB/GYN really diagnose PCOS in a healthy woman based only on an ultrasound finding? Unfortunately, the majority of the time, the answer is yes, and this can cause a great deal of needless confusion and suffering.

Post-pill syndrome

The birth control pill is another factor contributing to the rise in PCOS cases. Alot of women in who, after stopping the Pill, just can't get their periods to start up again.

For some of them, starting the Pill just revealed an issue that already existed because they didn't have regular periods prior to taking it. Then there are the ladies whose periods were regular prior to the Pill but are no longer occurring.

The Pill appears to be a definite cause of PCOS and hypothalamic amenorrhea in these women. Because this research hasn't been conducted yet, we are unsure of the precise mechanism by which the Pill causes PCOS. It has been discovered that the Pill contributes to insulin resistance, which therefore results in PCOS.medical practitioners are aware that the Pill inhibits pituitary ovarian communication, which is exactly what it is intended to do, but that inhibition is only supposed to last temporarily. Although the increase in the pituitary hormone LH is supposed to be transient, some women continue to experience it (even in the absence of other PCOS markers such as insulin and androgens).

What to do if you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS

Hormonal birth control: although it has been identified as one of the causes of PCOS, hormonal birth control provides the patient with options including birth control pills, patches, shots, a vaginal ring or an intrauterine device (IUD). Hormonal birth control helps to regulate your menstrual cycle, some forms will also improve acne and help with excess hair growth.

Insulin-sensitizing medicine: Metformin is a drug used to treat diabetes. It works by helping your body process insulin. Once insulin is under control, some people with PCOS see improvements in their menstrual cycles.

Medications to block androgens: Some medications can block the effect of androgens. This helps control acne or hair growth. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether such treatment is right for you.

Lifestyle changes: Eating a nutritious diet and maintaining a body weight that’s healthy for you can have a positive effect on insulin levels.

Posted at; 10:11am