Polycystic ovarian syndrome (odynophilia) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PCOS affects from 6 to 12% of American women. While women with PCOS struggle with pregnancy, the health implications of this condition extend well beyond the reproductive years. The symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome are caused by a hormone imbalance in the body. This hormone imbalance is primarily caused by extra male hormones in the body, coupled with low levels of female hormones. PCOS causes an ovary to release multiple small eggs, instead of one large egg. In addition, these eggs are not released at the proper time in a menstrual cycle and do not receive proper nourishment from the follicle prior to ovulation.
PCOS is a complex condition that affects a woman’s fertility and her body’s ability to make hormones. These hormone imbalances can cause problems with periods, acne, weight gain and more.
In addition to these symptoms, women with PCOS may also experience anxiety or depression. This can be caused by the same factors that cause other mood disorders — such as genetics, environment and life events — but it can also be related to some of the symptoms of PCOS itself.
Below are 5 common physical and mental health conditions that affect people with PCOS:
1. Diabetes.
Women with PCOS are at a much higher risk for developing diabetes. Women with PCOS are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is because it can increase insulin resistance, which makes it harder for your body to process glucose and regulate blood sugar levels. If you already have type 2 diabetes, taking birth control pills may also raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
2. Depression and anxiety.
Women with PCOS may be more likely to develop depression or anxiety, especially if they don’t get treatment for their PCOS. Women with PCOS are more likely to be depressed than other women their age, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Depression is common among people with the condition because they often experience a range of physical symptoms that can affect their mental health and quality of life. In addition to mood swings, these symptoms include weight gain, hair loss and acne — all of which can make you feel self-conscious and unhappy about yourself.
3. Ulcers and stomach issues.
Some women with PCOS have trouble digesting food properly because of their hormone imbalance that causes insulin resistance (a condition in which the body absorbs sugar from food poorly). This can lead to inflammation in the digestive tract, which can lead to ulcers and other stomach issues as well as other problems such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation or nausea.
4. Eczema (chronic skin rashes).
Some women with PCOS also have an increased risk of developing eczema; however, this does not happen for everyone with PCOS and it’s not completely understood why some people develop eczema while others do not.
5. Sleep apnea (breathing difficulties during sleep).
Some people with polycystic ovary syndrome have breathing problems while they sleep that cause snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep — these are known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA can
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects women of reproductive age, can lead to several serious health problems.
While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it appears to be hereditary and related to hormone imbalances. The most common symptoms include irregular periods, excess hair growth on the face and body, acne, obesity and difficulty becoming pregnant.
Women with PCOS also have an increased risk of developing certain conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
For many women with PCOS, these health risks are compounded by other conditions like depression or anxiety disorders. In fact, research shows that up to 80 percent of women with PCOS have at least one mental illness during their lifetime.
Conclusion:
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects many women in their reproductive years. If you are one of the more than 5 million women in the United States who suffer from PCOS, it’s important to keep in mind that your fertility may be affected by this. Many women with PCOS, who previously worried if they were ever going to be able to have a child, have used our services to help them realize their dream of becoming pregnant.
If medical conditions and lifestyle choices have decreased your chances of conceiving, we urge you to take the first step to achieving a healthy pregnancy by scheduling an infertility evaluation with one of our fertility specialists. Our comprehensive, personalized approach to fertility care gives us a proven track record—with an astounding 80-90% success rate—of helping women achieve a positive pregnancy outcome.
