What is PCOS?

PCOS is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, previously known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, named after the two American gynecologists who discovered it in 1935. It’s a common hormonal disorder affecting nearly 6-10% of women in their reproductive years (1). Unfortunately, it is still being under-diagnosed by many healthcare professionals and misrepresented in the community  (2). 

What are the first signs of PCOS?

All women are different and experience different intensities of similar symptoms. The most common signs to look out for are:

  • Irregular periods or no periods – if you haven’t already, start tracking your cycle today! 
  • excess hair growth all over the body, including the face (hirsutism) 
  • thinning of head hair (alopecia)  
  • acne 
  • darkening and thickening of the skin on the neck, underarms, groin, and/or skin folds  (acanthosis nigricans)  
  • cravings for sugar  
  • increased blood sugar levels 
  • difficulty losing weight, unexplained weight gain and obesity  
  • anxiety and/or depression  
  • infertility 

PCOS Diagnosis Criteria

It was commonly believed that PCOS only affected overweight women, and the best way to diagnose it was by finding multiple cysts on women’s ovaries using ultrasound (3). We know now that isn’t the case.  

PCOS can be diagnosed by finding two out of the three features (4,5): 

  1. Irregular periods or no periods from a lack of ovulation (aka. oligo/amenorrhea) 
  2. Signs of higher than normal male hormones, such as abnormal hair growth, acne, thinning  scalp hair (aka. hyperandrogenism) 
  3. Multiple cysts on the ovaries (aka. polycystic ovaries) 

AND… insulin resistance! Although it hasn’t made it into the clinical diagnostic criteria just yet,  this finding is a primary driver behind PCOS (6). When we eat, our blood sugar levels rise; in response, our pancreas pumps out insulin to stimulate our muscles and liver to take the blood sugar and convert it to energy. Insulin resistance happens when the pancreas has to pump out large amounts of insulin for the body to respond. When we have too much insulin floating around in our blood, we become inflamed and overweight!  

PCOS treatments

Untreated PCOS can lead to many serious complications, such as infertility and recurrent miscarriages, diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and endometrial hyperplasia and may result in an increased risk of breast and/or uterine cancer (5,6,7).

The conventional treatments available for PCOS are birth control pills and diabetes medications.  Naturopathic treatment focuses on extensive lifestyle and nutritional support, herbal supplements, and empowerment through gaining knowledge about all things PCOS.  

The Complete Wellness Clinic approach for PCOS

My goal for women with PCOS is to develop an individualized health plan to sustain a lifelong journey of health and wellness. Taking into account current goals of treatment, symptoms such as abnormal hair growth, acne, and weight gain and reducing the risk of developing serious health concerns.  

PCOS is not a disease of obesity. It’s not a disease of a poor lifestyle or diet. It is a highly genetic condition with a complex pathophysiological onset resulting in metabolic disturbances and diverse clinical manifestations. In short, it’s NOT your fault, and I can help! 

Book a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about how I can help.  

References: 

  1. Bozdag G, Mumusoglu S, Zengin D, Karabulut E, Yildiz BO. The prevalence and phenotypic features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum  Reprod. 2016 Dec;31(12):2841-2855. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dew218. Epub 2016 Sep 22.  PMID: 27664216. 
  2. Hillman SC, Dale J. Polycystic ovarian syndrome: an under-recognized problem?. Br J Gen  Pract. 2018;68(670):244. doi:10.3399/bjgp18X696101 
  3. de Melo AS, Dias SV, Cavalli Rde C, Cardoso VC, Bettiol H, Barbieri MA, Ferriani RA, Vieira  CS. Pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome: multifactorial assessment from the foetal stage to menopause. Reproduction. 2015 Jul;150(1):R11-24. doi: 10.1530/REP-14-0499.  Epub 2015 Apr 2. PMID: 25835506. 
  4. Lujan ME, Chizen DR, Pierson RA. Diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome: pitfalls and controversies. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2008;30(8):671-679. doi:10.1016/ S1701-2163(16)32915-2.  
  5. Goodman NF, Cobin RH, Futterweit W, Glueck JS, Legro RS, Carmina E; American  Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE); American College of Endocrinology (ACE);  Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (AES). AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL  ENDOCRINOLOGISTS, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY, AND ANDROGEN  EXCESS AND PCOS SOCIETY DISEASE STATE CLINICAL REVIEW: GUIDE TO THE  BEST PRACTICES IN THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY  SYNDROME–PART 1. Endocr Pract. 2015 Nov;21(11):1291-300. doi: 10.4158/ EP15748.DSC. PMID: 26509855. 
  6. Randeva HS, Tan BK, Weickert MO, Lois K, Nestler JE, Sattar N, Lehnert H.  Cardiometabolic aspects of the polycystic ovary syndrome. Endocr Rev. 2012  Oct;33(5):812-41
  7. Rocha AL, Oliveira FR, Azevedo RC, et al: Recent advances in the understanding and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. F1000Res 26;8, 2019. pii: F1000 Faculty  Rev-565. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.15318.1 eCollection 2019.