PCOS is often followed by a lot of other health complications, that can be managed naturally.
PCOS is the common cause behind the difficulty of female conception. In the past few decades, infertility cases due to PCOS have risen dramatically.
Not just that, PCOS eventually leads to increased risks of developing other health conditions.
Today we will cover some of the PCOS side effects.
What is a polycystic ovarian syndrome?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of the endocrine gland. PCOS hormonal imbalance is caused by the ovaries (the organ responsible for producing and releasing eggs) that produce male hormones in large amounts.
Having PCOS means that your ovaries are releasing unusually high levels of hormones called androgens. This is the main cause behind the imbalanced reproductive cycle and health.
You may experience irregular menstrual cycles, heavy periods, or missed periods. One of the symptoms of PCOS is the formation of small cysts (fluid-filled sacs). They develop inside your ovaries. This is caused by the lack of ovulation aka anovulation.
Despite the name, you may or may not have ovarian cysts. It is just a symptom and not an actual cause.
6 PCOS side effects
1. Decreased insulin sensitivity
30% -40% of women with PCOS also have insulin resistance to some extent. High insulin levels may be the cause behind the endocrine disorder, PCOS.
Since low insulin sensitivity is related to increased body weight and insulin resistance PCOS also leads to accumulation of body fat, a more severe form of insulin resistance could be caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome, in the long run.
2. Type-2 diabetes
IR caused blood glucose levels to spike up. If not controlled by diet and lifestyle modifications, this can lead to prediabetes with the potential of developing into type 3 diabetes.
Women suffering from PCOS are often diagnosed with diabetes as one of the PCOS side effects due to the low insulin clearance and increased BMI.
3. Irritable bowel syndrome
Digestive disorders and PCOS may be interlinked. PCOS causes chronic inflammation which can upset the gastrointestinal tract.
It was researched that PCOS and an increased level of LH/FSH tend to cause IBS symptoms.
Being stressed out also leads to many digestive problems like constipation or diarrhea. You may also experience PCOS stomach pain after eating. Other side effects of PCOS include bloating, abdominal pain, and gas.
Taking care of one’s mental health from the devastating PCOS side effects is crucial in its treatment and management.
4. Acne
Your skin is an indicator of your overall health, after all, it is the largest organ of your body.
When your body produces more androgens, it also stimulates the secretion of oil from the tiny glands under the surface of your skin. This oil is called sebum. Excessive sebum is also produced due to aggravated Kapha dosha, according to Ayurveda.
This causes acne breakout and damages your skin, especially near your monthly cycle.
5. Infertility
Infertility is one of the side effects of polycystic ovaries. From an ayurvedic perspective, hormonal irregularities are caused due to imbalance dosha, the 3 body energies Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Vitiated Kapha is responsible for the poor quality of the ovum and other reproductive tissues.
Vitiated Vata dosha makes it difficult to release eggs on time and is the reason behind failed conception.
Through Ayurveda and yoga, PCOS can be cured and chances of pregnancy can be significantly enhanced.
6. Hirsutism or Facial/Body hair
Out of other PCOS side effects, hirsutism is one of the most visible adverse effects. It occurs due to the excessive male hormones in the growth of hair on a female’s body that turns you into a yeti, not literally.
Some women experience beard and mustache growth while others have too much coarse hair on the forehead, sideburns, arms but sadly not so much on the scalp *sobs*.
Researched hirsutism treatment in Ayurveda can be used to avoid painless hair removal without more side effects.
To sum up
PCOS is a very common health problem affecting women of reproductive age.
There are many symptoms of PCOS to look out for. Though it is common, it is not less severe.
If left unmanaged it could result in the development of some serious PCOS side effects.
But they can be managed with a disciplined lifestyle and dietary changes.
FAQs
Is PCOS a serious problem?
If left untreated, PCOS can take a serious form with long-lasting side effects. It also opens doors for various other metabolic disorders like –
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Low levels of healthy cholesterol
- Insulin resistance
- Prediabetes
All of these increase the risk of you getting captured by a cardiovascular disease that often leads to a reduced life span and quality of life.
What health problems can PCOS cause?
PCOS can cause a lot of health problems in the long run, like-
- Sleep apnea
- Coronary heart disease
- Depression or mood swings
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Male pattern balding
- Skin tags and dark skin patched
- Endometrial cancer
- Irregular periods
- High BP
Most of these can be reversed and prevented by following a holistic lifestyle and diet offered by the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and yoga.
Does PCOS affect your breasts?
Affecting women of reproductive age, PCOS problems can be seen as symptoms in secondary sexual organs, breasts. According to a study, most women with PCOS have reduced breast density compared to the healthy female population and this could be one of the PCOS side effects which suggests that you can be underweight and still have PCOS..
One reason behind this is the surprising dip in oestrogen levels, in some cases.
Does PCOS worsen with age?
Younger women have more hyperandrogenism which may also lead to severe insulin resistance and PCOS side effects. It is reduced with age and hyperandrogenism is low in older women.
But in older women, other health complications like IR and obesity are increased which can be damaging to health. So, though PCOS may not get worse with age the health complications caused by it in the younger life do haunt till the old age.