Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal condition. PCOS can be associated with problems such as irregular menstrual cycles, excessive facial and body hair growth, acne, obesity, reduced fertility and increased risk of diabetes.
PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain. Women with PCOS may be at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and endometrial cancer.
Although signs and symptoms vary (Table 1), the three most common factors associated with PCOS include ovulation irregularities, increased androgen levels, and cystic ovaries. Problems with ovulation and elevated androgen levels occur in the majority of women with PCOS.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a set of symptoms caused by a problem with a woman's hormones. It affects the ovaries. These are the small organs that store a woman's eggs.
Impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes
Insulin resistance occurs in the majority of women with PCOS, particularly if more sensitive probes are used, and is more severe in obese women, as noted above. All women with PCOS are therefore at risk to develop impaired glucose tolerance and overt type 2 diabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance that causes infertility, obesity, and excessive facial hair in women, can also lead to severe mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Women with PCOS often report signs of mood swings, depression and anxiety. Mood swings can feel like rapidly fluctuating emotions that can manifest as irritability, temper, sadness and/or anxiety that results from hormonal imbalance. Many women do experience signs of mood swings, especially near their menstrual cycle.
Decreased quality of life from mood disturbances, decreased sexual satisfaction, weight gain, acne vulgaris, and alopecia have all been documented.
Long-term health risks of PCOS
increased risk of the development of diabetes, especially if women are overweight. cholesterol and blood fat abnormalities. cardiovascular disease (heart disease, heart attack and stroke) endometrial cancer (if there is long-standing thickening of the lining of the womb).
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints of women with PCOS. Normal tiredness can be relieved by sleep and rest. But excessive tiredness, also known as fatigue, can be overwhelming and seriously affect a person's quality of life.
The most recent systematic review and metanalysis show that women with PCOS are many times more likely, in comparison to other women, to develop moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (as much as six times more likely) and depression symptoms (up to four times more likely) [4,19,22].
“Androgens (a group of hormones including testosterone) are elevated in many people with PCOS. This may cause anxiety and depression in women with PCOS.” According to Dr Tomar, women who have PCOS-linked anxiety can talk to their doctor about various treatment options.
Clinic-based studies indicate that sleep disturbances and disorders including obstructive sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness occur more frequently among women with PCOS compared to comparison groups without the syndrome.
When the adrenal glands are activated due to stress, they contribute to the increased levels of androgens in the body. Thus, high levels of stress can make your PCOS symptoms worse, putting you at a higher risk for chronic health conditions like prediabetes, diabetes, and even cancer.
Ovofolic is a combination of myo-inositol and d-chiro inositol with clinically proven benefits for managing PCOS symptoms including anxiety.
PCOS women are at higher risks to develop fibrocystic breast changes. Thus, for women with this syndrome, the necessary screening and counseling should be provided as regards the incidence of fibrocystic breast changes.
Recent studies have revealed a high prevalence of sleep disorders in women living with PCOS, suggesting that it is an amendable factor. Hence, it is recommended to sleep for 6 to 9 hours a day.
Obesity, hirsutism, and infertility may reduce self-confidence and create depressive symptoms in patients with PCOS. In addition, changes in hormonal levels may lead to anxiety directly. Possibly, depressive symptoms are a secondary reflection of these changes.
Physical abuse was associated with PCOS (OR = 4.21, CI 1.43; 12.38), but was not significant when other maltreatment types were factored in. Conclusions: Child maltreatment is independently associated with PCOS in women without psychiatric disorders.
Mood swings: Because of the hormonal imbalance, women with PCOS also have a higher risk for depression, anxiety and extreme or rapid changes in mood.
Depression and anxiety are common in women with PCOS but are often overlooked and therefore left untreated. Along with the physical disturbances, many mental problems are also associated with PCOS.
Compared to unaffected controls, women with PCOS had a significantly increased risk of developing bipolar disorder after adjusting for age, medical comorbidity, and different treatment options (1.05 vs. 0.12 per 1,000 person-years, HR: 8.29, 95% CI: 4.65–14.7).