It can be frustrating to feel like something is wrong with your period but you’re not sure where to begin to get answers. Maybe your period is inconsistent or maybe you even go months in between your periods. Maybe you feel like your periods last a little longer than your friends’ and you can’t exactly figure out why.
While not overly common, it is possible you may have PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This condition affects your reproductive system as well as other body systems, and it can be difficult to recognize at first. It’s believed that nearly 1 in 10 women struggle with PCOS, and many don’t even know they have it.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition that is caused by an imbalance of hormones in a woman’s body. More specifically, there tends to be an overproduction of the androgen hormone. Androgen hormones are hormones that are found in greater abundance in men. They are present in women as well; however, higher concentrations are what lead to PCOS.
What does PCOS cause?
The name can be a little misleading, as it is not actually cysts in the ovaries, but built-up follicles that never matured into eggs. Nearly every woman has some sort of follicular buildup in her ovaries, but PCOS causes an abundance of these follicles. The follicles themselves are not harmful to a woman’s health, but they can cause issues with fertility.
While the follicles are nearly harmless, PCOS can affect women in other ways. The imbalance of hormones can lead to other health issues like insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer. It can also affect your daily life by decreasing your sleep quality, causing painful periods, or making you feel constantly fatigued.
What are the recognizable signs of PCOS?
There are many signs to watch for that may indicate PCOS. A few examples are:
- Fertility issues: This is often the reason that women discover they have PCOS. Women with PCOS are less likely to have normal cycles, leading to fertility problems. Additionally, PCOS can cause a woman to miscarry after she conceives. If you have difficulty getting or staying pregnant, talk to your doctor about checking for PCOS.
- Excessive hair growth: Due to increased male sex hormones (androgens) women often find an increase in hair growth in areas where women generally grow less hair, such as the chin and arms. There are treatments for this as well so be sure to ask your doctor about this.
- Weight gain/obesity: Due to the hormone imbalances that are caused by PCOS, many women with this condition have issues with maintaining a healthy weight. Lifestyle modifications and medications can be used to help manage this, so be sure to consult your doctor.
- Painful periods: If a woman has PCOS, during her period, some of these follicles will pop and be shed out of the ovaries. As you may imagine, this is an extremely painful process and sometimes women are unable to continue with their daily routine because of the pain. If your period pain seems to keep you from living your daily life, talk to your doctor.
- Irregular periods: Periods that are abnormal are common in women who have PCOS. The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones, so the imbalances that occur with PCOS can affect the cycle greatly. Most women who have PCOS don’t experience a period at all, or months in between their periods. It is important that you tell your doctor about any cycle irregularities.
What can I do if I have PCOS?
While PCOS is a chronic illness – meaning it cannot be cured – there are plenty of ways to manage your symptoms. The first step is to consult your doctor if you think you may have PCOS from recognizing the symptoms listed above. This will give you access to medications and treatments that you would not have access to otherwise. This could include hormone therapies, which are often used to increase insulin effectiveness or to decrease production of androgens.
In addition to medications and treatments, some women choose to follow a dairy and gluten-free diet, as well as eating a lot of protein. Eating gluten-free may help fight against insulin resistance. Dairy is inflammatory, so it worsens the symptoms of period pain. By cutting these out, and adding in more protein, women are able to better balance their hormones and manage their symptoms. Consult with your doctor on a diet that works for both of you. Additionally, your doctor may refer you to a nutritionist who may be able to work with your specific symptoms.
Our goal at Community Pregnancy Clinics is not just to inform but to empower you with knowledge that can lead you to live a healthier life. Knowing why your period may be late or irregular is a good first step in helping you take the first step towards managing your symptoms. If you think you may have PCOS, speak with your healthcare provider about getting a diagnosis and finding a plan that will help minimize your symptoms.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353443
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
