What Is Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

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What Is Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)? ● For many ladies out there, weight loss is all about managing raging hormones. Quite literally! Weight gain happens to be one of the most unsightly and heartbreaking side effects of a hormonal problem called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). ● We are sure, most of the women reading this would have nodded their heads in understanding. This is because PCOS happens to be one of the most common hormone problems believed to be afflicting anywhere from 2% to 26% of women aged 18 to 44 years. https://truweight.in/blog/health/know-all-about-poly-cystic-ovarian-syndrome.html


What exactly is PCOS? ● Simply put, women with the polycystic ovarian syndrome have high blood levels of male hormones. ● This results in irregular periods and development of multiple cysts (bubble­like extensions) in the ovary. ● The literal translation of PCOS (poly cysts: Many cysts in the ovary) reads that.


Why does PCOS happen? The most painful question ever! Blame the genes say the researchers. Apart from genetics, it also has environmental reasons for development. Toxins, infectious agents, and even obesity could worsen PCOS .

“Did you know, obesity also begets PCOS? The reproductive and metabolic features of it can sometimes be reversible with dietary and lifestyle modifications.” https://truweight.in/blog/health/know-all-about-poly-cystic-ovarian-syndrome.html


https://truweight.in/blog/health/know-all-about-poly-cystic-ovarian-syndrome.html


What do PCOS symptoms look like?

● We don’t mean to scare you but PCOS could increase your risk of developing other disorders. Apart from that, it happens to be one of the common reason for infertility. ● Other symptoms of it could include excess body hair (scientifically termed as Hirsutism), acne, pelvic pain, dark patches on the skin due to insulin resistance.

“Yes, you are not alone in this fight.” https://truweight.in/blog/health/know­all­about­poly­cystic­ovarian­syndrome.html


The science behind PCOS So we all sort of know that there is a hormonal cocktail going on in PCOS. However, what exactly transpires is still shrouded in mystery. Let us help in shedding some light on the physiological process behind polycystic ovarian syndrome in a stage­wise manner. Stage 1: How does the female hormone estrogen get produced. The primary function of the ovary is to produce the female hormone estrogen. Interestingly, estrogen is produced by converting the male hormone androgen. The key hormones which bring about this important conversion are Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This is under normal conditions, not in PCOS. Stage 2: When the hormones go askew. The amount of male hormone secretion and their conversion to estrogen is dependent upon the LH to FSH ratio. When this ratio gets skewed, then there is an excess of male hormones in the blood. The ovary reacts to the male hormones by forming cysts thus PCOS develops. Genetics seem to play a role here. https://truweight.in/blog/health/know­all­about­poly­cystic­ovarian­syndrome.html


Stage 3: Some cancers can release an excess of male hormones too. Now, this male hormone can be produced externally by some cancers too. It leads to increased levels of male hormones in the blood aggravating the cysts in the ovary. Stage 4: Body’s defence mechanism to control excess hormones. Our body is wired in a way that it helps counter any processes that go out of the way. In the light of excess male hormone, the body produces a protein which acts like a sponge, mopping the excess up. Excess body weight seems to reduce the amount of this sponge protein thereby increasing the intensity of the Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Stage 5: The incriminating role of insulin Didn’t we mention early on about the dark skin patches due to insulin resistance? In our body, insulin acts like a growth hormone; creating fat stores (weight gain) and general growth. When the body is already battling with excess male hormones, insulin acts as a multiplier significantly increasing its production! https://truweight.in/blog/health/know­all­about­poly­cystic­ovarian­syndrome.html


PCOS treatment. Yes, there is one! There are various treatments for it, many of them involving drugs to control the production of male hormones. Doctors will also prescribe diabetic medications to reduce the levels of insulin in the blood. Weight loss has also shown to significantly improve the symptoms. “Did you know, food holds tremendous power to help manage those erratic hormones? A PCOS diet could is pretty close to the weight loss diet wherein you would have to restrict the amount of sugar (important due to the insulin connection) and fat.”

Healthy foods include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, sprouted pulses among others. Yes, it is time to understand this fact and start consuming healthy foods.

https://truweight.in/blog/health/know­all­about­poly­cystic­ovarian­syndrome.html



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