How PCOS Can Affect Your Health, Fertility, and Appearance

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of childbearing age, affecting as many as 15%. PCOS happens when your ovaries produce unusually high levels of hormones called androgens, resulting in substantial hormonal imbalances.

While researchers aren’t sure why PCOS happens, they do know it’s often associated with insulin resistance — a condition that makes it difficult to regulate blood sugar (glucose). It’s also more common among women experiencing weight challenges, and environmental factors, diet, inflammation, and genetics may play roles. 

As a leading provider of women’s health services,  Feminine Urgicare helps women manage PCOS symptoms and improve their overall health. To mark PCOS Awareness Month, our team offers this quick overview of some of the common impacts women with PCOS are more likely to experience.

Health impacts

Because PCOS involves hormones produced by your ovaries, many of the health effects involve the ovaries. Specifically, women with PCOS may have irregular periods, or they may skip their periods entirely. 

PCOS is also associated with insulin resistance, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels and a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Androgens can also increase your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, leading to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.

Finally, insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances can make it difficult to manage weight and even increase weight gain. At the same time, weight challenges can worsen hormonal imbalances and elevate your risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.

Effects on fertility

As its name implies, PCOS causes cysts to grow on the ovaries. These cysts can interfere with ovulation. In fact, many women with PCOS ovulate irregularly, or they may not ovulate at all.

When ovulation is irregular, it makes it challenging to anticipate your fertility cycles or get pregnant. Furthermore, hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS increase the risk of miscarriage.

Many women with PCOS require fertility treatments to stimulate egg release. If you’re having trouble conceiving, hormone testing can determine if PCOS may be to blame.

Changes in appearance

High levels of androgens can lead to excessive hair growth. Often, hair growth occurs on the face, chest, and back, leading to embarrassment, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem. 

High levels of androgens increase the risk of hair thinning and hair loss on the scalp. Women with PCOS tend to have oily skin and an increased risk of acne breakouts and cystic acne. 

And as noted earlier, PCOS can lead to weight gain, making women less confident in the way they appear.

Managing PCOS

PCOS is a complex medical disorder that requires a personalized and multifaceted approach, typically involving both lifestyle changes and medication. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight management help alleviate many of the physical symptoms and health risks of PCOS, while medications help reestablish a more normal balance of hormones.

When PCOS interferes with fertility, our team can prescribe medications or other therapies to increase your ability to conceive. Regular health screenings help prevent complications.

If you have PCOS or if you think you might, we can help. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus, New Jersey, today.