What is Polycistic Ovary Syndrome

Irregularities in your menstrual cycle is one thing but there are additional symptoms that you should; be aware of. Let’s dig a little deeper and look at symptoms.

• Irregular Menses (scant, prolonged, heavy, absent, painful)
• Excess Androgen (facial + body hair, acne, greasy skin)

Indirect symptoms

• Abnormal Insulin
• Abnormal Blood sugar
• Infertility
• Abnormal Cholesterol and Lipoproteins
• Depression and Anxiety

That is a great question!  The exact cause is unknown. We do know that genetics, hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and inflammation play a role!

Three out of the four cases can be reversed!  OK, clearly you can’t reverse your genetics, though wouldn’t that be nice?  Hormonal imbalances create elevated androgens (a group of hormones related to male traits) and make it harder for the ovaries to release a mature egg.  Insulin resistance causes a change in how the cells of the body react to insulin.  Chronic inflammation is the final frontier.

It is clear that PCOS is often associated with profound insulin resistance as well as defects in insulin secretion.
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Here are some peer-reviewed articles for my research loving folks.

•  Insulin Resistance and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. 
•  Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Development of Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. 
• Baillargeon, Jean-Patrice. Nestler, John. E. (2005) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Syndrome of Ovarian Hypersensitivity to Insulin.

Why is this important?

It is important because we need to understand the cause!  I said cause, not symptoms; what is causing the problems you are experiencing. It is essential to understand the impact that your diet has and how nutrient deficiencies can exacerbate your condition.

 

What causes insulin resistance?

• Sugar
• Too many simple carbohydrates
• Low muscle mass
• Inflammation
• Too much adipose tissue – fat tissue
• Too many trans fats
• Nutrient deficiency – Chromium, Zinc, Selenium
• Chronic high cortisol – Dysregulation
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Lack of sleep

Insulin resistance may be part of the metabolic syndrome which has been associated with a higher risk of developing heart disease.  Many people with insulin resistance are overweight or obese and struggle with complications of insulin resistance including type 2 diabetes.

 

 

I know this image is a bit technical but I’ve included it to give you a general understanding of how glucose (sugar) cholesterol is used in your body.

Did you know, in 2005, Boston University researchers found a link between high total cholesterol and cognitive performance?!

• 789 men, 1005 women
• Free of dementia and stroke
• Followed for 16-18 years
• Cognitive tests ever 4-6 years

Results – Significant positive linear association between total cholesterol and measures of verbal fluency, attention/concentration, abstract reasoning, and a composite score measuring multiple cognitive domains. – You can read the entire study here.

It is clear that diet, healthy weight, exercise, and proper supplementation can give you your life back from PCOS. It’s time to get back to health! Stittleburg Restorative Health Care can help!  Connect with me here!

Best,

​Dr. Taryn

 

• Bodyweight, hyperinsulinemia, and gonadotropin levels in the polycystic ovarian syndrome: evidence of two distinct populations.
• Prevalence of insulin resistance in the polycystic ovary syndrome using the homeostasis model assessment.
• Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Development of Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.