What is PCOS?

Post Updated 10/19/2019

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, also known as and referred to as PCOS, is an endocrine disorder that affects women.

It is estimated that it affects 15 % of women. It is one of the leading causes of female infertility.

A lot of women have PCOS and don’t even know it or haven’t officially been diagnosed by a doctor. In this study, approximately 70% of women who have PCOS are undiagnosed.

PCOS is considered a syndrome which means it is based on a collection of symptoms. This is why getting a diagnosis can be difficult.

Symptoms of PCOS 

Here are some common symptoms that signal you have PCOS or are

undiagnosed and should be evaluated for PCOS.

• Acne

• Irregular periods

• Difficulty Ovulating

• Cysts on the ovaries

• Weight Gain

• Excess Facial Hair

• Male pattern baldness or thinning hair

• Skin Tags

• Dark patches of skin usually around the neck, thighs, breasts or arms

• Pelvic Pain

• Depression and Anxiety

• Sleep Apnea

• Insulin resistance

It is important to note that you do not have to have all of these symptoms to have PCOS.

It affects every woman differently. So, it is possible that you may have certain symptoms and not others. Also, the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person. No two women with PCOS are alike!

Get the guide that will help you navigate PCOS easily and successfully!!

How is PCOS Diagnosed?

Doctors use the Rotterdam criteria to diagnose PCOS. According to the criteria, a woman must have two out of the three factors to be diagnosed as having PCOS.

1. Anovulation- irregular menstrual cycles or lack of menstrual cycles. This is the most common symptom with 95% of women with PCOS experiencing this.

2. Hyperandrogenism- high androgen (or male hormone) levels. This is seen in about 60% of women. It is common to have acne, hair loss, and hirsutism (or excess hair) as a result.

3. Polycystic ovaries-  is defined as the presence of 12 or more follicles in each ovary measuring 2-9 mm in diameter, and/or increased ovarian volume (>10ml). It is important to note that having polycystic ovaries does not mean you have PCOS.

It is also important to rule out other conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome, tumors, hyperprolactinemia, and nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia before establishing a PCOS diagnosis.

There is no one test that can diagnose you with PCOS. A doctor must evaluate you and your symptoms and rule out other diseases and conditions first.

What Causes PCOS?

The cause of PCOS is unknown. Though there is a belief that it has to do with genetics and is something you are born with.

New research shows that PCOS may be caused before birth by excess exposure in the womb to a hormone called anti-Müllerian hormone.

PCOS has been shown to run in families. Approximately 40% of women with PCOS also have a sister who has PCOS.

Some doctors feel that high levels of insulin in the blood are to blame.

Approximately 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance.

When you are insulin resistant you can’t process insulin properly. The cells aren’t letting it in to be used for energy so it stays in your bloodstream. When you have extra insulin in the body you are telling the ovaries to make more testosterone or androgen. This can lead to irregular cycles and lack of ovulation as well as acne, and excess hair growth.

Women with PCOS are also believed to have higher levels of inflammation in the body. Studies show that chronic inflammation can lead to hormonal issues like PCOS.

RELATED: 10 Ways to Reduce Insulin Resistance with PCOS

Will I be able to get pregnant with PCOS?

While PCOS is the leading cause of female infertility, it doesn’t mean that you can’t or won’t be able to have children. In fact, I am living proof that you can successfully get pregnant with PCOS. I got pregnant naturally with PCOS TWICE!! So don’t lose hope!

A lot of times, once you correct the underlying issue that is causing your symptoms, ovulation will return and you can get pregnant.

Does PCOS put me at risk for other complications?

PCOS doesn’t just display unappealing visual symptoms. There is a lot happening inside the body that is not observable.  

It is important to know you have PCOS as early as possible because women with PCOS are more at risk for several other diseases such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, endometrial cancer, and difficulties getting pregnant and maintaining a pregnancy.

Make sure you read this article about  7 little known complications of PCOS so you can prevent these issues from happening.

Is there a cure for PCOS?

At this point in time, there is no cure for it (I am hopeful with more time and awareness, we can figure out why this happens to women).

You have to advocate for yourself if you believe you have this disorder. A lot of doctors will not have the knowledge and will dismiss you. If that is the case, you need to find a new doctor, one that will listen and that understands PCOS. It might take several opinions to get diagnosed properly.

Don’t waste valuable time going in circles, check out my PCOS Tool Kit which will help you navigate PCOS and get the proper diagnosis and treatment from the start!

I know this seems like depressing information, but the first step is knowing that there is something wrong.

You can’t fix something if you don’t know what to fix.

Once you have the knowledge, you can manage it.

Yes, you can get your PCOS under control and live the life you want to live.

How to Treat PCOS

To successfully manage your PCOS you are going to have to make some impactful changes.

You will need to get on the healthy PCOS diet and exercise bandwagon.

You need to avoid added sugars, processed foods and limit your carbs. Here is a list of the worst foods for PCOS. Incorporate more vegetables, fruits, and whole foods into your diet. 

As for exercise, starting and establishing a daily routine will offer a host of benefits to you. In this article, I break-down the best exercise for PCOS.

Not sure where to start? I've taken the guesswork out of it for you and created a 7-day plan to get you started. 

 As for medications, yes there are options out there like metformin and clomid, but they don’t come without their side effects.

I will leave the specifics on various medications to the professionals.

My opinion would be to do your research and have a pointed discussion with your healthcare provider as to whether the pros outweigh the cons for you and your specific situation.

Yes, you may have PCOS, but PCOS does not define you!

You won’t only handle it; you can get it in check and have a fabulous life.

You are not alone; you are beautiful, strong, and a force to be reckoned with.

You are about to begin on your journey to becoming the best possible version of yourself.

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