What is PCOS and how do you get it?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal disease impacting 10-20% of women. That is 1-2 out of every 10 women(!!!), making PCOS increasingly prevalent and impacting more female infertility.
This hormonal condition creates cysts on the ovaries, causing an increased production of imbalanced hormones, disrupting the essential hormonal balance that we all (should) have.
As the body battles PCOS, an increased production in androgens (like testosterone), the group of male sex hormones, occurs resulting in a rapid rise of androgen levels within the body. This chronic disease can lead to various significant physical and emotional symptoms with symptoms and severity varying depending on the patient\’s individual case.
Even though the exact cause of PCOS is not yet known, it is believed PCOS results from a combination of both environmental effects and genetics (nature AND nurture at its finest, right?). There are SO many risks associated with PCOS and some include:
- Autoimmune conditions
- Hypothyroidism
- Low zinc (especially with vegetarian diets)
- High stress
- High exposure to chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system
- Diabetes
- Gut issues
- Gestational diabetes in mother during development
How does PCOS present?
PCOS presents differently depending on the individual… Yeah it’s tricky (but don’t panic yet!). The presentation and severity of the condition make it something that is best treated in a comprehensive and individualized manner (that’s where Beth comes in!).
Common symptoms associated with PCOS include: *symptoms vary depending on patient and may not always be present*
- GI conditions (leaky gut, IBS, constipation)
- Chronic irregular or infrequent ovulation (missed periods!)
- Female infertility (often the result of chronic anovulation)
- Mood disorders and mental illness (stress, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, body dysmorphia)
- Gynecologic conditions (cysts, endometriosis, fibroids)
- Weight gain and obesity
- Fatigue
- Changes to hair: hair growth and/or hair loss / thinning
- Changes to skin: discoloration (especially in skin folds) and skin tags/growth
- Headaches
- Sleep disorders
- Pelvic pain (with or without bleeding)
- Decreased libido
- Increased insulin and glucose intolerance
- Polycystic ovaries
Depending on the severity and treatment of PCOS (don’t worry, we will get into treatment soon!), complications of PCOS may include:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes (PCOS is often a pre-diabetic condition)
- Complications during/after pregnancy
- Infertility and trouble conceiving
- Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Increased risk of uterine and breast cancer
Okay, that is A LOT of detail… and a lot of big words. You’re probably wondering what the heck PCOS is doing to your body to impact so many systems and functions… So let\’s break it down.
Essentially PCOS sets your hormones on fire… completely ablaze… setting off a domino effect to the rest of your system. We’re about to get real scientific so bare with us….
Here’s the deal… for PCOS patients:
- Hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is increased making the luteinizing hormone (LH) levels higher and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) lower
- LH tells the body to increase androgen production, making MORE androgens to be converted but the body doesn’t have enough FSH to actually convert the androgens to estrogen!
- LH tells your ovaries to make androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) from cholesterol
- High levels of androgens prevent normal follicle growth and increased estrogen
- AND the body responds to insulin differently making you produce MORE testosterone (*red flag*)
Diagnosing PCOS
Okay, that was a lot. But if you are reading this it’s either have or suspect you have PCOS. So how is PCOS evaluated and diagnosed? Either Dr. Dorsey (or a primary care physician) can help identify and diagnose PCOS based off of routine testing.
Testing includes:
- Thorough lab work
- Dutch hormone testing
- Thorough health history
- Description of symptoms regarding hormones and menstrual cycle
- Transvaginal ultrasounds
Treating PCOS
Once properly diagnosed, there is hope and treatment can begin! Treatment to manage and heal PCOS is possible, but it takes time, commitment, and tailored care. Treatment is not one size fits all… and trust us the solution is not birth control. So how do we actually treat PCOS without using that little round pill everyone pushes? Well that depends completely on YOUR individual case because you’re unique and so is your body.
Dr. Dorsey believes in using a comprehensive, holistic and tailored plan, specific to your symptoms and concerns.
By addressing the root cause and unique PCOS presentation with an accurate TCM diagnosis, acupuncture, custom herbal formulas, and lifestyle counseling, Dr. Dorsey can help you heal from the inside out.
If you need help finding a diagnosis and beginning treatment, or are just looking for extra help in perfecting your care plan and supplements, book an appointment with Dr. Dorsey to get started.