Here's Everything You Need to Know About PCOS That's Important Today
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition defined through three different criteria. Those three include ovulation issues, elevated androgen hormones and cysts on the ovaries.
It's estimated that it affects between 5 and 6 million women in the US alone. It is also one of the most common causes of female infertility, and some sources cite it as the number one cause of infertility.
The most common symptoms are irregular cycles and fertility issues so a lot of women are concerned about it during their reproductive years but it can also affect organs in the post-menopausal years.
What causes PCOS?
Right now the cause is unclear. It's thought that genetics play a part. Issues like elevated testosterone and insulin levels contribute to many of the PCOS symptoms, but it's still unclear what sets someone up for developing PCOS.
PCOS Symptoms
It's important to note that not everyone has the exact same symptoms. Because this is a syndrome, different people can have different symptoms. But here are some of the most common ones. You may find that you have all of them, or just one or two.
Curious to know if you have PCOS? Take my simple, 4-question PCOS quiz to find out right now.
Weight gain
It's common to find that weight gain happens easily and is hard to take off, particularly in the belly. Insulin and/or testosterone are the usual culprits that cause the stubborn, unwanted weight gain.
But it's also important to remember that not everyone with PCOS has issues with weight gain, there is also a type that is called "Lean PCOS". People without the extra weight on their body can still have issues with testosterone, insulin and ovulation.
Your weight doesn't define you. And it shouldn't define your PCOS. Regardless of the number on the scale, there are still ways that you can optimize your body and your hormones to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Unwanted hair growth
I'm not talking about the type of hair growth that results in long, luscious locks of hair. Nope. This is the type of hair growth that plays with your confidence and can make you downright uncomfortable. It is the hair growth that is found on the chin, upper lip, neck, upper back, lower belly and upper thighs.
Those androgen hormones like testosterone are usually what cause this type of hair growth.
Irregular cycles
Irregular cycles are the most common symptoms. When figuring out if your cycle is regular or irregular, you count from the first day of bleeding of one cycle all the way to the first day of bleeding for the next cycle.
Sometimes irregular cycles can mean your cycle is a different length every single month. For example, one month it's 35 days and another month it's 45 days. Or, irregular cycles can mean your cycles are always long. For example, you get a period once every year.
PCOS acne
We all wanted to leave acne back in the pre-pubescent years, didn't we? but unfortunately with PCOS acne can come on with a vengeance. And it's those androgen hormones that contribute to the acne popping up.
It can be common to get PCOS acne along your chin. It's also common for the acne to get worse either around ovulation or before your period starts.
PCOS Diagnosis
Talking with a doctor about getting diagnosed with PCOS is important. Getting clear on what parts of the diagnosis criteria make up your diagnosis is critical to getting an effective plan forward to take care of your PCOS.
Diagnosis Criteria
The most widespread way to diagnose is through the Rotterdam Criteria. This criteria is made up of three parts. You need to fall into at least two out of three of the parts in order to be diagnosed with PCOS.
These are the three elements that make up the diagnosis criteria:
Ovulation issues
Elevated androgen hormones like testosterone and DHEA
Cysts on the ovaries
Your doctor also needs to take the next step of ruling out other issues that can cause similar symptoms to make sure that something else isn't leading to your fertility struggles.
PCOS Test
Some doctors will diagnose you based on the signs and symptoms that you talk about while in the office. But to get a clear picture of what's going on in your body, testing is important.
These are some of the top tests that are done in order to get diagnosed. Also, please make a note that this is just a basic set of labs. If you are trying to get pregnant or you really need to find the root cause of your issues, other labs will most likely be recommended based on your individual needs.
The tests that are ordered to help with diagnose are usually focused on either insulin or hormones, or both! This is a list of common labs that are ordered.
Tests to evaluate insulin
Insulin which will tell you if it's elevated and contributing to your ovulation issues and irregular cycles.
Fasting glucose which gives you a snapshot of what your glucose levels are doing.
Hemoglobin A1c which will look at your glucose levels over the previous 3 months to see if blood sugar issues are a problem.
Hormone testing
LH and FSH are two hormones that don't diagnose PCOS but they are helpful to see if the brain is properly talking to the ovaries to help with ovulation.
Androgen hormones like testosterone and DHEA will will look to see if an elevation in those hormones is contributing to your symptoms.
Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is frequently ordered to evaluate the ovaries. This result can be helpful in determining if you have cysts on your ovaries.
Imaging
Pelvic ultrasounds are frequently recommended to look at the ovaries. The ultrasound will be able to see if there are cysts on your ovaries. Ultrasounds can also be helpful to see if and when ovulation happened if you're trying to get pregnant.
PCOS Treatment
It's important that the best treatment is individualized to your specific needs. Why? Because PCOS is a syndrome and the two parts of the diagnosis criteria that you fall into are going to be different from your friends. Which means that the plan you need in order to help your body will be different from what your friend needs.
While it's currently my mission to make sure women like you get the individualized care that they need, right now there most doctors are using one of three medications to help symptoms.
Treatment: PCOS Medication
Clomid and Letrozole
If you're trying to get pregnant, you may be very familiar with one or both of these medications. These are both ovulation induction medications that are used to help with fertility.
Metformin for PCOS
Metformin is a type 2 diabetes medication. Because PCOS has a high prevalence of elevated insulin, metformin was a top-line medication.
Treatment: PCOS Diet
An effective diet will depend on what symptoms and issues that you are trying to overcome.
If blood sugar balance and insulin resistance are an issue, then a diet plan that focuses on balanced blood sugar will be key.
Elevated androgens, acne and unwanted hair growth are issues? Then a diet plan focused on hormone balance and getting excess hormones out of the body is going to be important.
Are fertility struggles the focus on the diet changes? Well then both nutrient-dense foods that replenish fertility-specific nutrients as well as blood sugar balancing foods will need to be the focus.
While that might not give you the specific information you were looking for, why don't you start by heading over here to find out 5 unique foods for a nutritious PCOS diet.
Treatment: Supplements for PCOS
Like diet, supplements are highly individualized to your unique needs. But they are also effective. The approach that medications take is to either help balance blood sugar (metformin) or help shoot an egg out of the ovary (clomid and letrozole). But these medications have significant shortfalls when it comes to overcoming common issues.
These medications don't address the hormone imbalances and nutrient deficiencies that can be leading to your symptoms. And that's when supplements often shine.
Here are some important articles for you to read about how supplements can help:
PCOS and Pregnancy
If you've recently gotten pregnant, congratulations! Because you have a higher chance of having insulin issues, it will be important to support your body through diet and lifestyle to help lower your chance of gestational diabetes.
FAQ's
What are the first signs of PCOS?
There is no one symptom that shows up first all the time. The most common symptoms are acne, unwanted hair growth, irregular periods and fertility struggles. But they can pop up at any point.
How to test for PCOS?
There are a variety of tests that are helpful for your diagnosis. Your doctor will most likely look at your glucose levels, androgen levels (testosterone and DHEA), progesterone, and AMH levels. They may also recommend a pelvic ultrasound.
How to get pregnant with PCOS?
Getting pregnant requires an individualized plan. I developed my protocol to help you see the clear path forward to help improve fertility. Here on this blog, I have a wealth of information about how to get pregnant and I recommend starting here.
How to know if you have PCOS?
Symptoms are going to be the first clue. Then you will want to talk with your doctor who (should!) do the proper testing to see what imbalances you have that can help with the diagnosis and your treatment plan moving forward.
How to get pregnant with PCOS quickly?
Struggling with fertility issues leaves you feeling broken and lost, doesn't it? Of course you want to get pregnant quickly. Head over and read my article about 3 important truths about getting pregnant with PCOS quickly.
Your next Step
If PCOS has left you overwhelmed and feeling like there is no hope, you're in the right place.
Don't let PCOS steal your dreams of becoming a mother.
Book a PCOS Fertility Breakthrough Session. This will be your flashlight in the world of PCOS darkness.