All 4 types of PCOS and their symptoms can be managed with healthy interventions
Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS cases are rising in the backdrop of stressful life, poor diet, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. With the modern healthcare system providing only temporary relief, women continue to battle against the painful side effects of PCOS and its allopathic medications.
Before the treatment process, it is important to identify the type of PCOS, what causes them, and how to manage PCOS naturally.
How is PCOS categorized?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition that affects 4%–20% of women of reproductive age worldwide. All of these women have different PCOS features.
Features of PCOS:
- Elevated androgen levels/hyperandrogenism ( excessive male hormones)
- Menstrual irregularities due to anovulation (ovaries fail to release the egg on time)
- Small cysts in one or both ovaries
The presence of two out of the three features confirm PCOS, say, experts.
Clinical Categorisation of PCOS
Based on the above-mentioned 3 visible features, there are 4 phenotypes of PCOS:
(Phenotype = category type based on visible characteristics)
Type-A: Male hormones + Irregular periods + Ovarian cysts
Type-B: Male hormones + Irregular periods
Type-C: Male hormones + Ovarian cysts
Type-D: Irregular periods + Ovarian cysts
The prevalence of these types A, B, C, and D were 67.7%, 11%, 17.7%, and 3.6%, respectively.
Each of these has different long-term health and metabolic implications.
Of these, Type A is considered the most severe form of PCOS. Whereas, Type D is considered the mildest form.
These types are not fixed at the diagnosis and women with PCOS may move from one category to the other throughout their PCOS treatment journey with diet, and lifestyle changes.
In all these categories there is at least some hint of the presence of insulin resistance, inflammation, obesity, cardiovascular, and other metabolic health disorders.
4 Types of PCOS – Based on what may have caused it
Commonly, PCOS is divided into 4 broad types based on its probable cause.
One untreated health problem that can tip off your body’s natural healthy balance can lead to various other health problems like a chain reaction.
It is not possible to say what is the actual cause of PCOS but there are a few factors at work that do lead to the complex hormonal imbalance of PCOS.
You can only find out what kind of PCOS you have if your symptoms match these types.
Now, let’s look at the 4 types of PCOS.
Insulin-resistant PCOS
It is found in 70% of PCOS cases being the most common of the 4 types of PCOS. Having insulin resistance is linked with a higher risk of having PCOS. Insulin resistance is also linked with excessive male hormone release which worsens the PCOS condition.
Symptoms
- Abdominal weight gain
- Sugar cravings
- Fatigue
- Frequent thirst and urination
- Slow healing of wounds
It closely resonates with the Type-A phenotype in which insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and obesity are very common and the risks of metabolic syndrome are higher than the other phenotypes.
Natural management
- Exercise to enhance insulin sensitivity
- Reduce weight
- Avoid sweets and carbs
- Switch to a prediabetic natural diet
- Manage stress
- Sleep welL
Adrenal PCOS
This type of PCOS occurs when you are exposed to high-stress levels for a long time. Stress hormones cortisol and DHEA (a male hormone) are released in high quantities in this PCOS.
Symptoms
- Facial and body hair (due to male hormones)
- Bouts of depression
- Stress
- Mood swings
Natural management
- Meditation and pranayama to reduce stress
- Sleep well to rest the nervous system
- Yoga to support the adrenal gland
- Dosha-balancing diet
Inflammatory PCOS
Poor digestion has been linked with hormonal disturbances and reduced immunity. When you have chronic inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, or eat unhealthily, it can lead to inflammatory PCOS.
This type falls into the category of phenotype-D, in which PCOS without excessive male hormones leads to increased gut inflammation.
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Weakness
- Gut problems (IBS)
- Skin disorders
Natural Management
- Probiotic foods like yogurt & buttermilk
- Avoid foods that trigger inflammation
- Turmeric in warm water
- Triphala powder
- Fresh fruits and veggies
- Do gut health yoga
Post-pill PCOS
Contraceptives or birth control pills are taken to prevent ovulation while keeping the regular menstrual flow. OCT pills are also taken to manage the symptoms of PCOS like oily skin, acne, and body hair due to high levels of male hormones.
For some women, ovulation returns to normal, but many women face suppressed ovulation for months or even years which leads to post-pill PCOS.
Symptoms
- Spotting
- menstrual changes.
- weight gain.
- acne.
- hair loss.
- fertility difficulties
Natural management
- Reduce stress
- Sleep well
- Spearmint tea to reduce androgens
PCOS treatment naturally
You should avoid self-medication and self-diagnosis as PCOS is a very complex hormonal disorder and there are huge chances of diagnostic mistakes.
PCOS cure for these 4 types of PCOS by modern health science is aimed towards treating just the symptoms. Allopathic medicines may relieve some symptoms but often lead to health issues.
Also, they are often followed by adverse side effects. Therefore choosing a natural cure for PCOS through Ayurveda and effective PCOS Yoga postures are the most holistic treatment approach. It cures PCOS of its roots and rejuvenates your body and mind, by enhancing the body’s natural healing powers.
Do not take even the herbal medicines on your own because they may not be suitable for your ayurvedic body type. Consult an experienced doctor before making any dietary changes or you may end up upsetting your hormones even more.
To conclude
In most cases, women may have a combination of these types instead of strictly just one, let’s say only adrenal PCOS. Insulin resistance is also a very common link in the majority of PCOS cases.
In other words, a woman with PCOS can have several of these 4 types of PCOS at once.
PCOS is a serious hormonal problem that should be treated as soon as you find out about it.
If you think you have some of these symptoms, don’t sleep on them and consult a doctor immediately.
FAQs
How do I know which type of PCOS I have?
To be diagnosed with PCOS you must have at least 2 of the 3 features of PCOS-
- Elevated androgen levels/hyperandrogenism ( excessive male hormones)
- Menstrual irregularities due to anovulation (ovaries fail to release the egg on time)
- Small cysts in one or both ovaries
For now, there is no single definitive test for PCOS. There are multiple blood tests, blood sugar tests, body mass index tests that take various factors like age, weight, and other metabolic disorders to diagnose the severity of PCOS.
You may not have a single type of PCOS but may have a combination of the above 4 types of PCOS.
What is the difference between Pcod & PCOS?
PCOD is a condition in which ovaries produce many immature eggs. It is caused by poor diet & lifestyle habits. Women with PCOD continue to live without major complications. PCOS on the other hand is a serious and complex endocrine disorder that leads to various other metabolic disorders, missed periods, anovulation, and ovarian cysts.
How can I get rid of my PCOS belly?
You can get rid of POCS belly with these effective yoga poses and dosha balancing diet and PCOS-specific diet.
What should be avoided in PCOS?
- Overeating
- Weight gain
- Sugary/artificial sweeteners/excessive carbs
- Poor diet
- Physical inactivity
- Refined grains/maida
- Foods that mess up with your gut
- Stress