So what is the most common hormone imbalance in women? If you wondering what is the answer here’s the main information about it. Almost 5-10% of women at their reproductive age are diagnosed with this endocrine disorder. This is a systemic, genetic, inflammatory condition that can cause many symptoms and infertility. This endocrine disorder is called PCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome!
What is PCOS?
This condition is a multisystemic disease. It’s a metabolic disorder that can appear like hyperandrogenemia, increased levels of estrone, hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance, and imbalance in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Also, there are relations to infertility, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, endometrial dysfunction, and many other health issues.
So main symptoms of PCOS are:
- irregular or skipped periods
- high levels of male hormones
- hirsutism – increased hairiness
- cysts at ovaries
- acne
- obesity
- acanthosis nigricans
But there are more types in the clinical picture of PCOS. Some women have all of the symptoms but there are also cases when symptoms are not so varied. Some studies show there are 4 types of PCOS. The division is made by the cause of the syndrome. There are inflammation, insulin resistance, hypothyroid, and adrenal fatigue type of PCOS.
What causes the most common imbalance in women- PCOS?
There are genetic factors that are proven to cause this condition. So if your mother or sisters have this condition go check yourself. But there is a higher accent on other multifactorial causes.
So the first is high insulin – so unregulated glucose spikes can cause insulin resistance. This can relate to a lot of symptoms that appear in PCOS- like obesity, acne, and cysts in the ovaries.
Another one is high levels of androgens like testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DTH), and androstenedione. This is caused by enzyme dysfunction in the adrenal gland that releases high levels of androgens in the blood. These androgens then aromatize in the fat cells. Production of this is estrone which causes more secretion of luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland. Then LH makes ovaries produce even more androgens. Some studies have proven high levels of psychological stress can affect the adrenal gland and cause this condition.
Also, there is proof that inflammation, caused mainly by food allergies or hormone disruptors (chemicals) in food or cosmetics, can cause or make worse these PCOS symptoms.
A slow metabolism can also be related to PCOS. The most common cause of this is hypothyroidism. So always check your thyroid when there is PCOS.
How to treat a hormone imbalance in PCOS?
Always go to your doctor and discuss your condition. Gynecologists and endocrinologists are the most important doctor you should ask for advice. Treating this condition can help you to live easier and avoid infertility. Today’s treatment for PCOS is mostly contraceptive pills, progestin therapy, or metformin.
But you should know changing your lifestyle can make a huge difference in PCOS. A lot of women reversed their symptoms by using supplements, anti-inflammatory ingredients, food that will help with insulin resistance, and exercising slow weight. So manage your glucose spikes, your weight, and stress. Try to eat anti-inflammatory food, and avoid hormone disruptors like phthalates, PBDEs, parabens, bisphenol, paraben, and others.
Hope you find some information for yourself here. If you have PCOS please be gentle with yourself and understand that a lot of things that happen to you are actually a symptom of the condition you have. Patience and self-work is the key to everything. You should know a lot of women try hard to lose weight and fight mood swings, acne, hair loss, oily skin, and fatigue. But remember all of this can be caused by hormone imbalances like PCOS. So let’s start to listen to our bodies ask for help and try to find the best solution to live life without barriers.
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