Those With PCOS Can Benefit from Lo Carb Diet
Reprinted from the University of Chicago Center for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine (hormonal) disorder. Most often, symptoms first appear in adolescence, around the start of menstruation. However, some women do not develop symptoms until their early to mid-20’s. Although PCOS presents early in life, it persists through and beyond the reproductive years.
PCOS is estimated to affect between 5% and 10% of women of reproductive age, thus making it the most common hormonal disorder among women in this age group. It affects women of all races and nationalities.
No two women have exactly the same symptoms. The following characteristics are very often associated with PCOS, but not all are seen in every woman:
In addition, women with PCOS appear to be at increased risk of developing the following health problems during their lives:
Because there is such variability in how PCOS presents itself, there is not universal agreement among health professionals on how to best define PCOS. What is clear, however, is that women with the disorder do not ovulate in a predictable manner and that
women with PCOS also produce excessive quantities of androgens (particularly testosterone).
It is important to note that polycystic ovaries are not present in all women diagnosed with PCOS. Also, many women with regular menstrual periods and normal testosterone levels have cystic ovaries.
If women with PCOS don’t always have polycystic ovaries, why is it called “polycystic ovary syndrome”?
It is important to make the distinction between polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovaries are often, but not always, seen in women with PCOS. But, approximately 20% of women without menstrual or hormonal abnormalities have polycystic ovaries. The syndrome is thus defined by the menstrual and hormonal abnormalities with or without polycystic ovaries.
PCOS is also sometimes called “functional ovarian hyperandrogenism” or “ovarian androgen excess.” But, because the term “polycystic ovary syndrome” has been used for more than six decades, and is well-entrenched in both common usage and medical literature, its use is likely to continue.
What causes PCOS?
PCOS develops when the ovaries overproduce androgens (eg, testosterone). Androgen overproduction often results from overproduction of LH (luteinizing hormone), which is produced by the pituitary gland.
Research also suggests that when insulin levels in the blood are high enough, the ovary can be stimulated to produce more testosterone. That is, the combination of having ovaries which are responsive to insulin and high insulin levels in the blood, can result in the overproduction of testosterone.
Obesity, which itself can cause insulin levels to rise, may intensify PCOS. Yet, not all women who are overweight develop PCOS. Thus, there appears to be something unique about PCOS both in the excessively high insulin production and the increased sensitivity of the ovaries to the insulin that is produced.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
Initially, many of the symptoms of PCOS – acne, obesity, excessive hair growth, and irregular periods – are viewed as unpleasant but unrelated. Many women are not diagnosed until the symptoms become advanced, or until they experience difficulty with fertility.
There is no single, quick test to identify PCOS. Accurate diagnosis depends on the experienced skills of the clinician, a detailed medical history, and laboratory studies. Some clinicians may choose to use some of the following diagnostic tools:
The physician will also try to rule out other possible causes of irregular menstruation and excessive hair growth, such as Cushing’s syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or other disorders of the pituitary or adrenal glands.
Does PCOS run In families?
Evidence is accumulating to suggest that there is likely to be a hereditary basis for PCOS and its associated metabolic abnormalities such as diabetes.
At the University of Chicago Hospitals, we have found that 1 in 3 women with PCOS will have an abnormal glucose tolerance test and that 1 in 10 will be diabetic by age 40. It is important to note that women with PCOS who have a family history of diabetes appear to be at highest risk for abnormalities in glucose tolerance.
Thus, we are actively engaged in trying to understand whether the tendency for PCOS and glucose intolerance has a familial, genetic basis. To date, over 200 families of women with PCOS have participated in testing in our Clinical Research Center.
How can you and your family participate?
If you and your immediate family members (parents or siblings) would tike to participate in our study of the role of genetics in PCOS, please contact us. Most of the study can be done through the mail, so you can still participate even if you don’t live close to
Chicago.
Many medical approaches can relieve or reduce specific symptoms.
Many non-medical approaches can relieve or reduce specific symptoms, one of them is:
Weight loss. Because of excess testosterone and insulin resistance, losing weight can be quite challenging for women with PCOS. These women truly have a metabolic cause for their extra weight. Many women with PCOS follow a low-carbohydrate diet designed to lose or maintain their weight.
However, weight loss achieved through dietary changes and exercise can help women with PCOS in several ways. Like men and women without PCOS, losing weight reduces a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease and non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes. Weight loss also helps to lower the level of insulin which, in turn, reduces the ovaries’ production of testosterone.