Fatigue can have many causes, and PCOS is one of them. Many women report feeling lethargic, sluggish, or low on energy levels. This is not a sign of laziness but the body's response to the underlying insulin resistance.
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.
In inflammatory PCOS, chronic inflammation causes the ovaries to make excess testosterone, resulting in physical symptoms and issues with ovulation. Signs of inflammation in this type of PCOS include headaches, joint pain, unexplained fatigue, skin issues like eczema and bowel issues like IBS.
Upon assessment, many women with PCOS describe little or no breast changes during the pregnancy, and examination reveals breasts that are tubular in shape, widely spaced, or asymmetrical.
With PCOS, it's thought that increased levels of insulin in the body causes the ovaries to work differently, which produces high levels of androgens (male-type hormones). These hormones cause various symptoms, such as irregular periods and hair and skin conditions.
The earliest symptoms of PCOS are typically experienced during puberty when young women notice irregular periods, weight gain, headaches, and pelvic pain with or without their period.
A small population of patients may develop lactic acidosis. The most common adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, and mild weight gain. PCOS is often underdiagnosed, but with the growing trend toward the recognition of this disorder, more women are being diagnosed and treated.
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.
In some cases, prescription and over-the-counter medications are used to treat PCOS fatigue and its symptoms. One such medication is metformin, which can reduce insulin resistance, and this in turn can reduce fatigue.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and sleep are quite closely related, as good-quality, sound sleep for 7 to 8 hours a day is strongly suggested to help improve the many symptoms of PCOS by supporting normal hormonal balance. Here's all you need to know about the importance and benefits of getting good sleep.
PCOS does not cause fatigue directly. However, many common symptoms of PCOS can lead to fatigue. Conditions closely associated with PCOS can also cause fatigue. A person who is experiencing unmanageable fatigue or who thinks they may have PCOS may wish to speak with a healthcare professional.
For instance, brain fog is common among PCOS patients because of a number of conditions associated with the syndrome. These may include sleep apnea, mood disorders, abnormal hormone levels, and blood sugar spikes and dips due to insulin resistance.
Recent studies have shown that women who were diagnosed as having PCOS 30 years ago have a completely normal life expectancy. An inspection of more than 700 death certificates from women with PCOS has shown that there is no excess risk of cancer in any organ or of heart disease.
The group with PCOS had been diagnosed at a mean age of 27 years. The mean follow-up time was 13.1 years in both groups, during which 1,003 controls and 177 women with PCOS died. The mean age at death was 51.4 years for the PCOS group versus 52.6 years for the control women, a significant difference (P < . 001).
Who gets PCOS? Between 5% and 10% of women between 15 and 44, or during the years you can have children, have PCOS. Most women find out they have PCOS in their 20s and 30s, when they have problems getting pregnant and see their doctor. But PCOS can happen at any age after puberty.
The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch. A PCOS belly is also characterized by a high waist-to-hip ratio of greater than 0.87 (apple body shape). However, some individuals may not experience any noticeable changes in their stomach.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There's evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors, most importantly obesity, also play a role in causing PCOS: Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: High androgen levels prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, which causes irregular menstrual cycles.
While all women make a little bit of testosterone, women with PCOS make too much. Acne and unwanted hair may result from too much testosterone. Dark patches of skin may develop from high insulin levels associated with extra weight gain.
Often, the skin can be a window to what is occurring inside your body. For women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, this this may mean acne, hair loss, excessive facial or body hair growth, dark patches on the skin, or any combination of these issues.
It's usually large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genes and other factors. It involves visceral fat accumulation in the lower abdomen and typically feels hard to touch. A PCOS belly is also characterized by a high waist-to-hip ratio of >0.87 (apple body shape).