This is amongst the most asked questions ever. This health problem affects almost 4-20% of the female population of the world. Amongst them, 95% of females Google every now and then to get their answers.
The questions start with, “How do I even know I have PCOS?”
What do you feel when you have PCOS?
How does PCOS start off?
At what age does PCOS start?
….. And so on…
Today, when a lady approached me with her complications associated with PCOS, I thought of educating all the women across the globe regarding this condition. In a series of blogs, I shall explain every aspect of the PCOS condition.
The condition known as a polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is brought on by an excess of male hormones produced by the ovaries, which is the organ responsible for producing and releasing eggs. Your ovaries produce exceptionally high levels of androgens if you have PCOS. Your reproductive hormones fall out of balance as a result. People with PCOS frequently experience irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods, and unexpected ovulation as a result.
Now, let’s head start with the most basic question, “How do you even know when you have PCOS?”
It all starts with hints, which may be a normal part of your life. These may include having oily skin, missing periods, and having trouble managing weight. You might not experience every PCOS symptoms. It happens frequently for women to take months or even years before recognizing they have this condition.
Symptoms of PCOS
1. Weight gain
About half of the PCOS-affected women struggle with weight gain or find it difficult to lose weight. You may put on a lot of weight if you have PCOS. Additionally, PCOS symptoms can worsen if a person is overweight. The time of your periods may be improved by losing even a small amount of weight. If you have PCOS, it’s crucial to maintain appropriate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
2. Hair loss
Female androgenic alopecia (FAGA) or female pattern hair loss are other names for PCOS- related hair loss. The androgens (male hormones) linked to PCOS cause it to occur. FAGA results in thinning hair on top of the head and along the hairline, much like male pattern baldness. Because the follicle doesn’t die, it doesn’t produce baldness as it does in males. This implies that the hair might grow back in.
3. Fatigue
PCOS may cause fatigue, but it can also be caused by a variety of other diseases and lifestyle choices. Due to this fact, a diagnosis of any ailment based just on exhaustion is all but impossible. It needs to be examined in light of your life and any additional symptoms you may be experiencing.
4. Mood swings
You likely already know that female hormones can affect one’s mood, particularly during specific phases of the menstrual cycle. They could be difficult to distinguish from PCOS mood swings. However, PCOS frequently throws off your cycle by impending ovulation, so it’s possible if you’re skipping periods and experiencing mood swings. Because of aberrant brain chemistry and the possibility of disturbance of the brain-gut connection, which refers to the chemical and physical connections between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract, mood swings are linked to PCOS.
5. Sweet cravings
Sugar cravings are typical PCOS symptoms that are most likely caused by insulin resistance. In women with PCOS, blood insulin levels are frequently high. All that insulin may cause other hormones that control the appetite to malfunction, increasing hunger. In particular, eating sugar and processed carbohydrates can result in sugar-rush-and-crash cycles that increase cravings.
6. Hirsutism
Many people who have PCOS acquire coarse, dark hair on their faces and other body areas where normally men have body hair and women only have vellus hair due to PCOS’s elevated androgen levels (“peach fuzz”). This ailment is known as hirsutism.
7. Acne
Because the main male hormone, testosterone, causes acne, excessive levels of PCOS might bring back breakouts that you may have believed you had outgrown with puberty.
8. Fertility issues
One of the most common reasons for female infertility is PCOS. For women who wish to become pregnant now or in the future, this may be the most difficult aspect of the disorder. In particular, PCOS can disrupt ovulation, resulting in irregular or nonexistent periods and difficulty conceiving.
Summing Up
You may experience a group of symptoms together at a time. These symptoms of PCOS are alarming signs. You need to observe what your body is going through and whether you are able to manage it the way you used to earlier. These symptoms are hidden for years and progress into complications. Thus, to avoid the same, observe and reflect.
The lady I was talking about earlier, had slight symptoms over the years where she was unable to maintain weight and craved more. Furthermore, when she started missing periods for months in a row, she approached me. My approach to this condition is associated with the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, a healthy weight, and positivity all around. By the virtue of Ayurveda, I have reversed the condition and maintained it for the rest of the lives of women, and so do I hope for the lady.
If you want to manage PCOS in a natural way, book a consultation session at eliteayurveda.com.
