Adrenal PCOS can lead to various other health complications
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder (the endocrine system comprises various glands responsible for hormone secretion), that leads to problems with the secretion of certain hormones, which can lead to various health issues in women. [1]
According to NIH, a lot of women with PCOS may have a dysfunctioning adrenal gland that makes up for a subgroup of PCOS cases which is adrenal PCOS.[2]
This article will cover details about the relation of the adrenal gland in PCOS and how you can manage it naturally.
What is the adrenal gland?
Adrenal glands (there are 2 adrenal glands in a human body) are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys. They are also known as suprarenal glands.[3]
Functions of the adrenal gland
Adrenal glands produce several hormones that regulate:
- metabolism
- blood sugar levels
- blood pressure
- pregnancy
- sexual development before and during puberty
- stress response
- the balance of sex hormones, including estrogen (female hormone) and testosterone (male hormone)
What is adrenal PCOS?
When women’s adrenal glands produce excess adrenal hormones it leads to the diagnosis of PCOS, commonly called adrenal PCOS. It is one of the 4 types of PCOS.
The overactive adrenal glands also produce male hormones in large quantities which is one of the most common features of PCOS disorder.
How does adrenal PCOS affect women?
Stress
Adrenal gland can lead to overproduction of cortisol hormone. Cortisol is a stress hormone used as your body’s natural alarm system. When secreted in high quantities it leads to a state of mental alertness or stress and anxiety.[4]
Hyperandrogenism
One of the biomarkers of PCOS disorders is hyperandrogenism. Elevated levels of testosterone by the ovaries in response to the hormones secreted by the adrenal gland can worsen the ovarian cysts in PCOS.[5]
Insulin resistance
Increase in cortisol level reduces glucose tolerance, in women suffering from adrenal PCOS.
Studies confirm that cortisol could induce insulin resistance by impeding insulin secretion and producing glucose in the bloodstream.[6]
Thus, there are high risks of insulin resistance and prediabetes in women suffering from adrenal.
Infertility
High testosterone levels in PCOS can lead to anovulation and menstrual irregularities. This results in the form of the most common issue of PCOS, which is the inability to conceive. [7]
Heart disease
PCOS alone does not cause cardiovascular disease but, insulin resistance, hypertension, stress, and increased obesity together raise a woman’s risk of heart disease in PCOS.[8]
Adrenal PCOS symptoms
The above hormonal disorders can lead to these symptoms:
- You may observe weight gain due to insulin resistance
- Your sleep cycle may get disturbed due to the exposure to high-stress levels
- Increased thirst and urination
- Other pre-diabetes-like symptoms (common for all cases of PCOS)
- Excessive body hair/hirsutism due to hyperandrogenism
- Acne and oily skin
- Irregular periods
- Anovulation
- Mental unclarity
- High blood pressure
- Digestive problems or IBS, due to disturbed emotional state
- Mood swings
Reversing Adrenal PCOS naturally?
- Doing pranayama effectively helps in stress management.
- Relax your mind by practicing mindfulness. Take a walk in nature.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. A healthy emotional and food diet is very important to deal with PCOS side effects.
- Track your menstrual cycle to check for abnormalities.
- Yoga asanas for PCOS help in stimulating the hormonal glands and aid in hormone regulation.
- Take a healthy diet to improve your digestive system and yoga to relieve IBS symptoms.
- Try ayurvedic remedies that boost PCOS fertility naturally.
- Eat healthily, avoid sugar, and have a carb-rich diet. Follow this 7 day diet plan.
- Manage glucose intolerance by following tips that improve insulin sensitivity.
- Reduce abdominal fat with the help of Ayurveda.
Conclusion
A dysfunctional adrenal gland can mess with other glands by causing hormonal fluctuations. This can increase the risks for a woman with PCOS and lead to various health problems.
This complex net of hormonal irregularities can be managed with the help of a natural lifestyle and adrenal PCOS diet intervention advised by ayurveda and yoga. However, it is best to consult an expert instead of self-treatment.
FAQs
How do you know if I have adrenal PCOS?
It is difficult to tell which PCOS is out of the common 4 types you have. The symptoms often overlap. However, you will have these symptoms if your adrenal gland is not functioning well-
- Obesity
- Insulin resistance
- Mood swings
- Digestive problems
- Weakened immunity
- Period irregularities
- Facial or body hair
Can you get pregnant with adrenal PCOS?
Yes, you can, but PCOS may make conceiving and carrying the child really challenging for you.
What hormone deficiency causes PCOS?
There is no single cause behind PCOS. It is not possible to point out one major root cause that leads to this complex hormonal disorder. However, it has been studied that diet and lifestyle play a huge role in upsetting your body’s natural balance and one problem leads to the other.
If you have obesity or insulin resistance your chances of PCOS increase and the reverse is also very true.
That is why ayurvedic treatment for PCOS is the most holistic approach at it begging from level one and works towards restoring your health naturally, without side effects.