Hello, cysters! We have already discussed the broad topic about the basic information for PCOS we need to know about in understanding the PCOS 101. Today, we will cover in depth the different types of PCOS. Understanding what kind of PCOS you have will help you manage and deal with it better. After all, the point of this Cysterhood is to be #StrongerThanPCOS.?
There are four types of PCOS, that is, Insulin-resistant PCOS, Inflammatory PCOS, Adrenal PCOS, and Pill-induced PCOS.
Lets begin with the first one:
The most common type of PCOS and as the name suggests it causes insulin resistance in your body. Generally insulin lowers your blood sugar by storing the glucose in cells. When the cells become resistant to the constant insulin and send out a signal for more insulin to lower the blood sugar, then your pancreas starts to pump out more and more insulin in response to high blood sugar levels. When this resistance goes on for a while, you have high insulin and high blood sugar.
The higher than normal amounts of insulin in the body, prevents ovulation and triggers the ovaries to create too much testosterone. It also lowers the proteins that binds with the free testosterone leading upto higher than normal amounts of male hormones - testosterone.? Insulin-resistant? PCOS is caused by sugar,? smoking, pollution and trans fat.
The second most common type of PCOS. Pill induced PCOS develops due to the birth control pills that suppress ovulation. The effects of these for most of the women do not last long and they eventually resume ovulating, once the effect of the pill is over. But for some of the unlucky ones,? they do not resume ovulating for months and years despite getting over the effects of pills. If it so happens, it's better to consult the doctor at the earliest.
As the name suggests, it is the PCOS caused due to inflammation. Increased inflammation prevents ovulation which leads to imbalance in hormones and higher androgens (male hormones) are produced. Inflammation is caused due to free radicals, stress, toxins of the environment and inflammatory diets containing fried foods, gluten, etc.
With adrenal PCOS type may display similar symptoms to that of insulin resistant, inflammatory, and post-pill PCOS. But the root cause of these symptoms are not? insulin resistance or inflammation issues, or hormonal birth control. The credit goes to the? adrenal organs responsible for controlling the stress response. When the stress response is not balanced, hormones are not balanced, which leads to all the symptoms of PCOS.
Yes, there are few other causes of PCOS that do not fit into the first four but don't fret! The good news is that it is a simpler form of PCOS. What I mean by that is that once the cause is addressed, then it takes upto 3-4 months to resolve the problem.?
If you are someone who meets the diagnostic criteria for PCOS, but you don't have inflammation, adrenal issues, post pills issues or insulin resistance, then the most likely cause for the PCOS symptoms fall into this category.
Other causes of PCOS are thyroid disease, deficiency of iodine (cuz your ovaries need some), artificial sweeteners, and food intolerances. There are also certain women for whom the triggers are never found, but the treatments, especially lifestyle modifications like healthy diet, exercise, supplements are still very powerful at controlling symptoms.
The most important aspect to remember is, You are not alone.
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder. The most powerful recommended treatments for all types of PCOS are lifestyle modifications. The right diet, exercise, good sleep and supplements can work wonders. The above classification will help you manage the root cause. You are not alone in the fight against PCOS, you have your fellow cysters and together we can ensure that we are #StrongerThanPCOS.
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