Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which affects many women who are of reproductive age. We have made an effort to discuss the factors that contribute to PCOS as well as the best ways to control them so that you can lead a happy and healthy life.

What is PCOS?

PCOS, Polycystic ovary syndrome, is a frequent hormonal condition affecting women of reproductive age. Symptoms of this illness include irregular menstruation cycles, high levels of androgen (male hormone), and the development of small cysts on the ovaries. The increased risk of having metabolic diseases is one of the biggest worries related to PCOS. Variations in glucose levels have been linked to the onset and progression of PCOS, according to recent studies.

A few common symptoms of PCOS are:

●     Irregular, light, or missed menstrual cycles.

●     Excess body hair on the chest or stomach.

●     Acne-prone or oily skin.

What are the causes of PCOS?

The body's inability to use insulin properly is the cause of PCOS. One of the two factors, genetics or obesity, can cause the illness. Blood sugar levels in the body are controlled by insulin. The body's tissues experience insulin resistance when not reacting to the released insulin. When tissues stop responding to insulin, glucose absorption into the cells is prevented, which raises blood glucose levels.

Insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance, which result in cyst growth on the ovaries, are the main causes of PCOS. Insulin resistance is brought on by high glucose levels, which trigger the ovaries to overproduce testosterone. Both men and women produce testosterone, a hormone whose imbalance can have negative effects on health.

A woman's excess testosterone prevents regular ovulation by interfering with the growth of her follicles, which are sacs in her ovaries that aid in the creation of eggs.

How to manage PCOS?

1)    Food consumption that reduces inflammation:

The overproduction of male hormones including testosterone, androsterone, and androstenedione is controlled by these nutrients. The following foods would be more beneficial in managing PCOS:

- Almonds and walnuts

- Kale

- Spinach

- Tomatoes

2)    More iron consumption:

Iron-rich foods can lessen the amount of bleeding you experience during your period. Before increasing your iron consumption, it is imperative to speak with your doctor because doing so too quickly could result in issues.

3)    Avoiding endocrine disruptions:

These are substances that obstruct your body's normal hormonal processes. The symptoms of PCOS are exacerbated by their propensity to mimic both female and male reproductive hormones.

Some examples of endocrine disruptors are:

●     Bisphenol A - Some food storage containers include bisphenol, which is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins.

●     Dioxins - Manufacturing processes can create dioxins, which are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants.

●     Phthalates - Phthalates are a class of compounds used to increase the tensile strength of polymers. They are used by plastic manufacturers to make their goods more malleable.

●     Triclosan - This ingredient is still present in other antibacterial products despite having previously been utilized in soap and hand sanitizers.

4)    Exercising improves insulin sensitivity:

Since glucose uptake by muscles rises during exercise and insulin is directly engaged in this process, insulin concentration drops as the intensity of the activity increases. This is significant because if exercise were linked to an increase in insulin, plasma glucose would be absorbed by all tissues more quickly, including adipose tissue, resulting in a drop in glucose levels right away.

A lower concentration of insulin during exercise favors the mobilization of glucose from the liver and makes blood glucose homeostasis possible. That's how exercise improves insulin sensitivity. That’s all for this blog. Make sure to subscribe and follow this section for more updates.