Interesting Facts About PCOS
PCOS – Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder in women. It is most common in women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS experience infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels.
The exact cause of PCOS is still unidentified. Early diagnosis and treatment of PCOS may reduce the risk of long-term complications such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Here are some more facts that you must know about PCOS:
1. Despite being one of the most common endocrine disorders, PCOS receives less than .1% of funding from the National Institutes of Health.
2. The US spends an estimated $4 billion annually to identify and manage PCOS.
3. PCOS affects approx. 6 – 10% of women throughout the world, making it the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age.
4. By the age of 40, 40% of women with PCOS will develop pre-diabetes or diabetes.
5. PCOS is the most common cause of ovulatory infertility.
6. Women with PCOS have higher rates of anxiety and depression than women without the syndrome.
7. Women with PCOS have more testosterone and can build muscle easier than women without the syndrome.
8. One of the earliest signs of elevated androgens in adolescents with PCOS is acne.
9. Women with PCOS may have more difficulty breastfeeding and producing sufficient milk for their babies.
10. Approximately 50-70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance.
11. Sleep disturbances have been found to be twice as common in women with PCOS compared with those without.
12. Regular exercise is an effective way to improve insulin levels in PCOS.
13. Fatty liver affects 15% to 55% of women with PCOS and can be improved by diet changes.
14. As women with PCOS get older, they are likely to experience more regular menstrual cycles.
15. Vitamin D, a hormone and a vitamin, has been shown to play a role in insulin resistance and egg development.
16. Women with PCOS have a higher incidence of gestational diabetes, miscarriages, preterm deliveries, and stillbirths.
17. The follicles typically seen in PCOS are actually the result of a hormonal imbalance, not the cause of the syndrome.
18. Consuming protein and/or fat-containing foods in every 3-5 hours throughout the day may prevent cravings and help stabilize blood sugar levels in PCOS.
19. There is no cure for PCOS optimal treatment for PCOS is a multi-factorial approach involving diet and lifestyle modification, medications and supplements.