Wellness Tuesday: PCOS—A Deeper Look

Last week, I shared some of the symptoms of PCOS.  Let’s take a deeper look this week at the causes and complications of PCOS.

Medical personnel are unsure of the exact causes of PCOS.  Genetics and hormonal imbalance are the two largest known causes of this syndrome.

            Some of the following factors may play a role in PCOS:

Diabetes is a common symptom found with PCOS

Diabetes is a common symptom found with PCOS

  • Excess insulin
  • Heredity
  • Inflammation in the white blood cells {also known as low-grade inflammation}
  • Abnormal fetal development {an excessive exposure of male hormones during fetal life}

With PCOS there are various conditions that become prevalent.  These are intensified when obesity is a factor.

Some of the more common complications include:

  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Sleep Apnea
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Cancer of the uterine lining
  • Gestational diabetes

    PCOS can be hereditary

    PCOS can be hereditary

  • Cholesterol abnormalities
    • Elevated triglycerides
    • Low density HDL {good cholesterol}
    • High levels of LDL {bad cholesterol}
  • Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Inflammation of the liver
  • Stroke
  • Difficulty conceiving/Infertility
  • Multiple miscarriages
  • Breast cancer
  • Risk of heart attack is 4 to 7 times higher than for women without PCOS

If you deal with any of these issues you should contact a medical professional.

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