Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a genetic, hormone, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects women of reproductive age.

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It is the leading cause of female infertility and a known precursor for other serious conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer.

September is PCOS Awareness Month, an ideal opportunity to increase awareness about PCOS, which affects as many as 10 percent of the female population.

A study showed that up to 82 percent of women diagnosed with PCOS are unaware of their condition. If left untreated, PCOS may increase the risk of serious long-term complications and possible disease.

While symptoms of PCOS can vary, a diagnosis of PCOS is made when a woman experiences at least two of the following signs: irregular periods, excessive androgen (elevated levels of male hormones) and polycystic ovaries, which is when ovaries may be enlarged and contain fluid-filled sacks, which may result in the ovaries not functioning correctly.

Alarmingly, statistics indicate that 60 to 80 percent of women with PCOS suffer from insulin resistance, a possible precursor to diabetes.

“I would describe the relationship between insulin resistance and PCOS as mutually destructive in that PCOS worsens insulin resistance and vice versa,” says Dr Carmen James, an integrative medical doctor and holistic health and wellness coach from Durban.

Dr James explains that while high insulin levels are a feature of PCOS, they also fuel the disease. “The reason for this is because insulin accumulation reduces ovulation and promotes the production of androgens or male hormones. This results in symptoms such as a male pattern of hair growth, acne and in some cases is associated with difficulties with fertility,” she says.

In fact, more than 50 percent of women with PCOS will develop diabetes or pre-diabetes before the age of 40. PCOS signs and symptoms are also typically more severe if a woman is obese.

Up to 95 percent of women with PCOS have irregular periods and may not ovulate, approximately 60 percent suffer from hair loss, acne and unwanted hair growth and up to 20% have fertility problems. PCOS is the most common cause of irregular menstruation that leads to infertility.

While PCOS was initially considered an infertility disorder or a cosmetic annoyance, it is now recognised as being a serious long-term health concern.

A study published in the March 2015 issue of Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found that women diagnosed with PCOS are twice as likely to be hospitalised for heart disease, diabetes, mental-health conditions, reproductive disorders, and cancer of the uterine lining.

While there is no cure for PCOS, medical treatments are available which may address individual symptoms of the condition. Weight loss in obese patients with PCOS also has a myriad of benefits.

In younger women who do not want to fall pregnant, the use of oral contraceptives can regulate the menstrual cycle, as well as decrease the production of adrenal androgens, or male hormones. For a woman showing signs of insulin resistance, diabetes medications might be prescribed. For women with fertility issues, doctors may prescribe medications to promote ovulation.

If you have concerns about your menstrual periods, if you are experiencing reproductive health issues or if you have signs of excess unwanted hair, acne and male-pattern baldness, you need to go and see your doctor.

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