Exploring type of pcos: How to Identify Your PCOS Variation
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition common among women.
PCOS can have many symptoms and complications.
To manage your symptoms properly, you’ve got to understand PCOS and how to identify your type.
This blog post will explore PCOS’s various aspects, types, and signs and symptoms.
Let’s get started.
What Exactly Is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that affects women in their reproductive and childbearing years.
PCOS causes women to produce more male hormones than usual. They skip menstrual periods because of this hormone imbalance, making it hard to get pregnant.
Hormonal imbalances cause mental and physical distress as well.
PCOS affects a lot of women without them knowing. In a study, 70 percent of women with PCOS were unaware they had it.
Symptoms of PCOS
PCOS symptoms include:
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles: PCOS can cause irregular periods – making it hard to expect when they’ll come.
- Ovarian Cysts: Women with PCOS can form tiny cysts and fluid-filled sacs in their ovaries that can be detected with imaging tests or ultrasounds.
- Increment in Androgen: High androgen levels can cause acne, hair thinning or loss, and excessive hair growth (also known as hirsutism), affecting over 70 percent of women with this condition. It can affect their face and body, including the back, belly, and chest.
- Heavy Bleeding: The uterine lining builds up for a long time, so you get heavier periods.
- Weight Gain and Difficulty Losing Weight: PCOS makes losing excess body fat and maintaining a healthy weight more challenging for women. Rapid weight gain can be a concern for women with PCOS. Around 80 percent of women with PCOS have excess weight or obesity.
- Insulin Resistance: Women with PCOS might become insulin resistant, which raises blood sugar levels and increases their risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Skin Issues: PCOS can cause problems like acne and dark patches (acanthosis nigricans).
- Mood Changes: PCOS can negatively affect mental health due to hormonal fluctuations. Brain fog is also common in women with PCOS.
4 Different Types of PCOS
When it comes to how many types of PCOS there are, several exist.
Having PCOS isn’t the same for all; different types or phenotypes have varying symptoms.
For targeted PCOS management, you need to know your type. Here are the main types of PCOS:
1. Insulin-Resistant PCOS
In this type of PCOS, the body’s cells do not respond to insulin appropriately, which can cause insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance causes weight gain, increased appetite, and higher blood sugar levels.
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Indicators:
● Gaining weight and having difficulty losing it.
● Abdominal discomfort and bloating.
● Fatigue.
● High insulin levels.
● Diabetes type 2 risk is higher.
2. Post-Pill PCOS
Some women get PCOS-like symptoms after stopping hormonal birth control pills.
This is called post-pill PCOS, and it can take time for the body to regain hormonal balance.
Indicators:
- Irregular periods after stopping birth control.
- Symptoms of PCOS emerge after discontinuation of the pill.
3. Inflammatory PCOS
Inflammation plays a big role in this PCOS type.
The cause of this condition can range from dietary choices to lifestyle habits.
Inflammatory PCOS can worsen symptoms and increase complications.
Indicators:
- Chronic inflammation.
- Higher risk of heart disease and other inflammatory conditions.
4. Hidden PCOS
Along with PCOS management, this type of PCOS can have underlying causes, like thyroid disorders or hormonal imbalances.
Indicators:
- Hormonal issues are present.
- Standard PCOS treatments aren’t working for the symptoms.
How to Identify Your Type of PCOS
You can determine your PCOS type with a medical exam and some self-awareness.
Here are steps to help pinpoint your specific Type of PCOS
1. Talk to a Healthcare Provider
You should see a medical professional if you have PCOS or PCOS symptoms.
You can get bloodwork and ultrasounds to confirm the diagnosis and figure out what type of PCOS you have.
2. Monitor Your Symptoms
Journal your PCOS symptoms, including irregular periods, acne breakouts, excessive hair growth, and other noticeable symptoms.
Your healthcare provider can use this information.
3. Discuss Medical History
If you have any relevant family history of PCOS or hormonal disorders, share it with your healthcare provider.
Based on this information, you can figure out if you have PCOS of a specific type.
4. Comprehensive and Thorough testing
Your healthcare provider might perform additional tests to rule out other conditions and pinpoint the PCOS type more precisely.
A pelvic exam might be done to check for ovaries or reproductive problems.
Blood tests will determine your body’s level of male hormones.
These tests can also include cholesterol, insulin, thyroid health, and triglyceride level checks to screen for heart disease and diabetes.
Misdiagnosis of PCOS is possible, so a thorough examination is important.
Treating Your Specific Type of PCOS
Having identified your PCOS type, your healthcare provider will help you develop a treatment plan.
Your treatment plan could include:
- Lifestyle adjustments – like changes in diet and exercise, can help manage hyperinsulinemia.
- Medications that control androgen levels and regulate menstruation.
- Hormonal birth control to manage symptoms like acne and irregular periods.
- Nutritional supplements like zinc and vitamin C can benefit specific PCOS types.
- Diet and lifestyle changes can be used to manage inflammation for inflammatory PCOS.
- In the case of PCOS with hidden causes, it is necessary to address the underlying hormonal issues.
What Are the Root Causes of PCOS in Women?
Several factors could influence its development:
- Heredity: PCOS might have a genetic component with specific genes linked to it.
- Excess Insulin: Insulin regulates our body’s energy supply by producing hormones. When insulin levels are too high, androgen production increases and disrupts ovulation.
- Low-Grade Inflammation: PCOS causes low-grade inflammation in blood cells. Women with PCOS often experience this inflammation, contributing to heightened androgen levels.
Risks
Mothers and sisters with a family history of PCOS are more likely to develop it. Additionally, PCOS can cause several health complications, such as:
● Premature birth or miscarriage.
● Infertility.
● Endometrial cancer.
● Type 2 diabetes.
● Anxiety.
● Depression.
● Eating disorders.
● Abnormal uterine bleeding.
● High blood pressure.
● Abnormal cholesterol levels.
● High blood sugar.
● Steatohepatitis.
● Heart attacks.
Is It Another Condition?
Can PCOS be misdiagnosed? PCOS can occasionally be confused with a condition known as Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea.
In Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea (HA), your menstrual cycle can halt because of insufficient food intake and excessive exercise.
HA can cause mild acne, increased hair growth, and polycystic ovary appearance on ultrasounds, as in PCOS.
Talk to your doctor to find out what the problem is.
Final Thoughts
To manage PCOS properly, you have to understand it and figure out what type you have.
If you work with your doctor and make lifestyle changes, you’ll feel better and be able to manage your symptoms better.
Get medical advice if you think you might have PCOS or have been experiencing the symptoms we talked about above.
Primary Care of Kansas is here to help you find your way through PCOS.
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