Diet and Health/Ultra processed foods (UPF)
July 7, 2024PCOS is a syndrome which means it is combination of symptoms rather than single entity. It has 3 components out of which two should be present to label a patient with PCOS
1. irregular periods (usually missed periods rather than frequent)
2. hirsutism (excess hair usually on face and neck
3. cysts in ovaries on ultrasound
Root cause is combination of environmental and heritable elements leading to excess androgen (male hormones) production by ovaries and insulin resistance (regardless of degree of obesity). Increase insulin secretion directly triggers the pituitary gland (in brain) to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) which then triggers excess androgen production from ovaries. Both insulin and LH decrease SHBG which binds androgens and if SHBG is decreased then free androgens levels increase causing hirsutism.
Whereas obesity/excess weight is a common problem in PCOS some women may not not be over weight
There is no cure for POCS but different manifestations can be improved/controlled.
If you think you may have PCOS then visit an endocrinologist who will first investigate (do some blood tests and ultrasound of ovaries) and then discuss management plan with you.
