Both obesity and insulin resistance can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes 8. Women with PCOS often have increased levels of inflammation in their body. Being overweight can also contribute to inflammation. Studies have linked excess inflammation to higher androgen levels 9. They believe it stems from factors such as genes, insulin resistance, and higher levels of inflammation in the body.
Some women start seeing symptoms around the time of their first period. PCOS can disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to fewer periods. Acne, hair growth, weight gain, and dark skin patches are other symptoms of the condition. Having higher-than-normal androgen levels can affect your fertility and other aspects of your health. To get pregnant, you have to ovulate. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women Up to 80 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or have obesity Both obesity and PCOS increase your risk for:.
Together, these factors are called metabolic syndrome , and they increase the risk for:. Sleep apnea is more common in women who are overweight — especially if they also have PCOS.
During ovulation, the uterine lining sheds. A thickened uterine lining can increase your risk for endometrial cancer Both hormonal changes and symptoms like unwanted hair growth can negatively affect your emotions. Many with PCOS eventually experience depression and anxiety PCOS can increase the risk of infertility, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, endometrial cancer, and depression.
Doctors typically diagnose PCOS in women who have at least two of these three symptoms 17 :. A pelvic exam can look for any problems with your ovaries or other parts of your reproductive tract. During this test, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and checks for any growths in your ovaries or uterus. You might also have blood tests to check your cholesterol , insulin, and triglyceride levels to evaluate your risk for related conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
An ultrasound uses sound waves to look for abnormal follicles and other problems with your ovaries and uterus. Doctors diagnose PCOS if women have at least two of three main symptoms — high androgen levels, irregular periods, and cysts in the ovaries. A pelvic exam, blood tests, and ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis. PCOS interrupts the normal menstrual cycle and makes it harder to get pregnant. Between 70 and 80 percent of women with PCOS have fertility problems This condition can also increase the risk for pregnancy complications.
Women with PCOS are twice as likely as women without the condition to deliver their baby prematurely. However, women with PCOS can get pregnant using fertility treatments that improve ovulation. Losing weight and lowering blood sugar levels can improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. PCOS can make it harder to get pregnant and increase your risk for pregnancy complications and miscarriage.
Weight loss and other treatments can improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve PCOS symptoms 11 , Weight loss can also:. Any diet that helps you lose weight can help your condition. However, some diets may have advantages over others. Studies comparing diets for PCOS have found that low carbohydrate diets are effective for both weight loss and lowering insulin levels.
A low glycemic index low GI diet that gets most carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps regulate the menstrual cycle better than a regular weight loss diet A few studies have found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least 3 days a week can help women with PCOS lose weight. Over time, insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Is PCOS linked to other health problems? More than half of women with PCOS will have diabetes or prediabetes glucose intolerance before the age of High blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke.
Learn more about heart disease and stroke. Unhealthy cholesterol. High cholesterol raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Sleep apnea. This is when momentary and repeated stops in breathing interrupt sleep. Many women with PCOS have overweight or obesity, which can cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea raises your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety are common among women with PCOS. Endometrial cancer. Problems with ovulation, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes all common in women with PCOS increase the risk of developing cancer of the endometrium lining of the uterus or womb.
Will my PCOS symptoms go away at menopause? How is PCOS diagnosed? To help diagnose PCOS and rule out other causes of your symptoms, your doctor may talk to you about your medical history and do a physical exam and different tests: Physical exam.
Your doctor will measure your blood pressure, body mass index BMI , and waist size. They will also look at your skin for extra hair on your face, chest or back, acne, or skin discoloration. Your doctor may look for any hair loss or signs of other health conditions such as an enlarged thyroid gland. Pelvic exam. Your doctor may do a pelvic exam for signs of extra male hormones for example, an enlarged clitoris and check to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen.
Pelvic ultrasound sonogram. This test uses sound waves to examine your ovaries for cysts and check the endometrium lining of the uterus or womb. Blood tests. Blood tests check your androgen hormone levels, sometimes called "male hormones. Your doctor may also test your cholesterol levels and test you for diabetes. Once other conditions are ruled out, you may be diagnosed with PCOS if you have at least two of the following symptoms: 5 Irregular periods, including periods that come too often, not often enough, or not at all Signs that you have high levels of androgens: Extra hair growth on your face, chin, and body hirsutism Acne Thinning of scalp hair Higher than normal blood levels of androgens Multiple cysts on one or both ovaries.
How is PCOS treated? Many women will need a combination of treatments, including: Steps you can take at home to help relieve your symptoms Medicines. Healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help relieve PCOS-related symptoms. Losing weight may help to lower your blood glucose levels, improve the way your body uses insulin, and help your hormones reach normal levels.
Removing hair. You can try facial hair removal creams, laser hair removal, or electrolysis to remove excess hair. You can find hair removal creams and products at drugstores. Procedures like laser hair removal or electrolysis must be done by a doctor and may not be covered by health insurance.
Slowing hair growth. A prescription skin treatment eflornithine HCl cream can help slow down the growth rate of new hair in unwanted places. What types of medicines treat PCOS?
The types of medicines that treat PCOS and its symptoms include: Hormonal birth control, including the pill, patch, shot, vaginal ring, and hormone intrauterine device IUD. For women who don't want to get pregnant, hormonal birth control can: Make your menstrual cycle more regular Lower your risk of endometrial cancer Help improve acne and reduce extra hair on the face and body Ask your doctor about birth control with both estrogen and progesterone.
Anti-androgen medicines. These medicines block the effect of androgens and can help reduce scalp hair loss, facial and body hair growth, and acne. These medicines can also cause problems during pregnancy. Metformin is often used to treat type 2 diabetes and may help some women with PCOS symptoms. Metformin improves insulin's ability to lower your blood sugar and can lower both insulin and androgen levels.
After a few months of use, metformin may help restart ovulation, but it usually has little effect on acne and extra hair on the face or body. Recent research shows that metformin may have other positive effects, including lowering body mass and improving cholesterol levels.
Because of this, you may also have tests such as:. This test uses sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. This test is used to look at the size of the ovaries and see if they have cysts. The test can also look at the thickness of the lining of the uterus endometrium. Blood tests. These look for high levels of androgens and other hormones. Your health care provider may also check your blood glucose levels.
And you may have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked. Treatment for PCOS depends on a number of factors. These may include your age, how severe your symptoms are, and your overall health. The type of treatment may also depend on whether you want to become pregnant in the future.
A change in diet and activity. A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce your symptoms. They can also help your body use insulin more efficiently, lower blood glucose levels, and may help you ovulate. Medications to cause ovulation.
Medications can help the ovaries to release eggs normally. These medications also have certain risks. They can increase the chance for a multiple birth twins or more. And they can cause ovarian hyperstimulation. This is when the ovaries release too many hormones. It can cause symptoms such as abdominal bloating and pelvic pain. Birth control pills. These help to control menstrual cycles, lower androgen levels, and reduce acne. Diabetes medication.
This is often used to lower insulin resistance in PCOS. It may also help reduce androgen levels, slow hair growth, and help you ovulate more regularly. Medications to treat other symptoms.
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