Poly cystic ovarian syndrome is a is a syndrome characterized by some or all of the following symptoms: excess androgens, lack of ovulation, long and irregular cycles, infertility, unwanted hair growth ( chin, jawline, upper chest), acne, loss of scalp hair, polycystic ovaries and obesity.
Women diagnosed with this condition may have all the symptoms, some of these symptoms or just one. To treat is effectively it is important to discover the cause.
Here are 4 types of PCOS and their causes:
Insulin resistant PCOS – insulin resistance is when the body is not responding well to insulin, leading to more insulin production in order to maintain blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance leads to weight gain. It also leads to problems with ovulation and excessive testosterone production from the ovary. For more information, see my article on insulin resistant PCOS.
Post Pill PCOS – when discontinuing the birth control pill an androgen levels rise, you may see this form of PCOS. It is temporary.
Inflammatory PCOS – when inflammation is causing the ovary to over produce testosterone.
Adrenal PCOS – when DHEA is elevated but testosterone is not. In this case it is a stress response that is causing the androgen excess
Do you know which form you have? Diagnosing it can be as easy as a consultation and some lab testing. Treatments vary depending on your type and on your personal health history. Contact me today for a consultation!