1st September marks the start of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month, and so what better time to raise awareness of this condition to help break down barriers. Here, we ask, do you have PCOS symptoms? And we explore when is the right time to speak with a gynaecologist.
According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of childbearing age. Despite PCOS being one of the most common hormonal disturbances affecting women, surprisingly little is known about it – both in the medical field and in the wider population. UK PCOS charity Verity suggests that polycystic ovaries affect one in five women (that’s 20% of women in the UK!), and that polycystic ovary syndrome affects one in ten women – that’s millions of people in the UK alone. Unfortunately, the actual number may be far greater. with the World Health Organization suggesting that up to 70% of affected women remain undiagnosed worldwide. There is no doubt that there hasn’t been enough focus on this condition which can have life changing effects for women all over the world.
PCOS does not discriminate, affecting young and even those into menopause. It affects quite a few well-known stars including Glee star, Lea Michelle, Emma Thompson, and Victoria Beckham who has struggled with infertility and PCOS for many years. One of the most significant impacts of this condition is that it can have a huge impact on self-esteem as it often results in skin issues such as acne and flare-ups.
The precise cause of PCOS is not known but it is thought to run in families. It can be linked to the hormones in the body – in particular, an imbalance of insulin which can build up and lead to high androgen levels (the male hormone). Inflammation may also be a trigger for a condition. Inflammation can be caused by many things, but commonly lifestyle factors play a role.
In order to be diagnosed with PCOS, the NICE guidelines recommend blood tests are carried out to measure for testosterone, SHBG, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, and prolactin. They recommended that this is carried out alongside a pelvic ultrasound to visualise and assess the ovaries for follicular cysts.
PCOS symptoms to look out for
Some of the early signs of PCOS that women may notice include:
- Weight gain despite eating a balanced diet
- Changes to hair like thinning and hair loss
- Acne-prone skin or very oily skin
But PCOS doesn’t just affect appearance, and sufferers can also present with:
- Low energy and fatigue
- Pelvic pain during and outside of periods
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irregular periods
- Oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstrual cycles)
Being overweight can exacerbate the symptoms of PCOS. This condition affects everyone differently and when symptoms are mild it can be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose. Indeed, many women with PCOS may not even have any outward symptoms, which is why it can go unnoticed – and undiagnosed – for years.
PCOS and its impact on the reproductive system
A lot of women discover they have polycystic ovaries when they seek advice from a fertility clinic after trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully. PCOS is heavily associated with infertility and is considered to be one of the leading causes of fertility problems in women.
Having PCOS does not necessarily mean that you can’t get pregnant, just that it may be more difficult, and that intervention may sometimes be needed. It is not usually the cysts themselves that affect fertility. It is the high-levels of testosterone in the body that can wreak havoc with ovulation and may result in an egg not being released (which is necessary for fertilisation to occur). When an egg is not released from the ovaries this is called anovulation.
What will happen if PCOS is left untreated? Can PCOS go away?
Unfortunately, PCOS does not go away on its own. Although the condition cannot be cured, it can be effectively managed; if PCOS is left unmanaged the symptoms may worsen.
Dr Alex Eskander, Consultant Gynaecologist here at The Gynae Centre, explains: “Although polycystic ovarian syndrome itself is not necessarily dangerous, it can have an indirect negative impact on women’s health, and has been strongly linked to a higher risk of more serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes, problems with the heart, and high blood pressure. Women with PCOS may also experience depression and anxiety as well as complications with pregnancy like gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.”
Management of polycystic ovaries usually involves a combination of medication to manage the hormones in the body, and a series of lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Surprisingly, not everyone with PCOS has cysts on their ovaries!
What should you do if you think you might have PCOS?
There’s no doubt that polycystic ovary syndrome is not recognised or talked about enough. For millions of women, the struggle is very, very real, and the lack of overall support for this condition can be not only emotionally trying, causing unnecessary stress and anxiety, but is providing a barrier to women getting the help they so desperately need. It is not unheard of for women with PCOS to be dismissed by their healthcare professionals. Here at The Gynae Centre, you can trust that your health is our priority and we always listen and provide empathetic care.
If you are concerned that you might have any of the symptoms of PCOS, the most beneficial thing you can do is to seek help from a gynaecologist who will be able to consider your symptoms, run the relevant tests, and give you an accurate diagnosis.
The sooner a diagnosis is provided, the faster the condition – and its symptoms – can be effectively managed and kept under control, not only for the benefit of symptom-relief, but for your wider health.
To find out how we can help, call us on 020 7580 8090 or book online.
