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How do I know if I have PCOS?

Have you ever wondered why your periods are irregular, why you struggle with sudden weight gain, or why stubborn acne just will not go away? These could be signs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a prevalent hormonal disorder that affects an estimated 8-13% of women during their reproductive years. It happens when the body produces higher levels of androgens (male hormones), which women also produce in small amounts.

 

But here is the challenging part: PCOS does not look the same for everyone.

Some women might have unpredictable periods, while others have excessive hair growth or thinning scalp hair. Some might struggle with weight gain, and others may have no visible symptoms at all. So, if you are wondering, "How can I check my PCOS symptoms at home?" - let us tell you that diagnosing PCOS is not as simple as spotting one indicative sign.

There is also no single test that can confirm PCOS. Doctors rely on a combination of symptoms, blood tests, and ultrasounds to make a diagnosis. If you suspect you have PCOS, seeking guidance from a gynaecologist or endocrinologist is the best way to understand what is happening in your body and find the right way to manage it.

What are the Causes of PCOS?

The exact cause of PCOS is still unclear, but research suggests it is influenced by factors such as hormonal imbalances, metabolic issues, and lifestyle.

 

    Hormonal Imbalance – Women with PCOS often have higher levels of androgens (male hormones), which can interfere with ovulation and lead to irregular periods, acne, and excessive hair growth.

    Insulin Resistance – Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, meaning their body struggles to use insulin effectively. (Insulin is a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels.) This can lead to high insulin levels, which trigger excess androgen production and make weight management difficult. Over time, this can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.

      Chronic Inflammation – Low-grade inflammation in the body may contribute to PCOS by stimulating excess androgen production, leading to symptoms like acne and weight gain. 

      Lifestyle Factors – Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and high-stress levels can worsen insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances, increasing the likelihood of PCOS symptoms. While lifestyle alone may not cause PCOS, it can significantly impact its severity. 

How Can I Find Out if I have PCOS?

The first step to confirming whether you have PCOS is to schedule an appointment with a certified and credible gynaecologist or endocrinologist. The process further involves the following:

1.  Initial Consultation with Doctor: Firstly, talk to your doctor about your medical history, symptoms over the past few months and how you have been feeling. Your doctor will start by asking about your menstrual cycle, including how regular your periods are, how heavy the flow is, and whether you experience severe cramps. They may also check for excessive hair growth, acne, weight fluctuations, and scalp hair thinning, which are the common signs of PCOS. Keeping track of every symptom will help in the consultation.

2.    Blood Tests: A doctor will suggest the following blood tests to check the hormonal levels:

 LH (Luteinising Hormone) encourages ovulation. High LH levels compared to FSH can indicate an ovulation issue, which is common in PCOS.

    FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) supports egg development in the ovaries and helps you get pregnant. A low FSH with high LH can signal an imbalance affecting ovulation.

 Testosterone is a male hormone present in small amounts in women. High levels can cause acne, excess facial/body hair (hirsutism), and hair thinning on the scalp.

 DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is a stronger form of testosterone. Increased levels may contribute to severe acne, hair loss, and hirsutism.

      Progesterone supports the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Low levels may indicate irregular ovulation or anovulation (not releasing eggs).

3. Physical Examination (Pelvic Ultrasound): A pelvic ultrasound (done over the abdomen) helps doctors examine the ovaries and uterus for signs of PCOS. Many women with PCOS have enlarged ovaries with multiple small follicles (cysts), but not everyone with PCOS has them. The scan also checks if the ovaries are releasing eggs regularly and whether the uterine lining (endometrium) is thicker than normal, which can happen with irregular periods.

Key Points to Note if You Have PCOS

1.    Blood Sugar Levels: Many women with PCOS may experience insulin resistance. The situation can worsen with PCOS and cause type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will often check your insulin levels and blood sugar levels to monitor this. 

2.    Cholesterol: PCOS can also affect your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Your doctor may test for these to assess your overall heart health. 

3.    Manage Symptoms Naturally: PCOS is not something that goes away. However, it can be managed through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise and natural treatment through hormone balancing brew. Hormone balancing brew is an ayurvedic tea with the goodness of 11 herbs such as ashwagandha, peppermint, shatavari, spearmint, ginger, lodhra and more. It aids in managing PCOS and its symptoms. 

FAQ's

1.     What age does PCOS start?

PCOS can develop after puberty. But it's most often diagnosed in the late teens or early 20s when symptoms like irregular periods, acne, or excess hair growth appear.

2.     Can I have PCOS with regular periods?

Yes, PCOS doesn't always cause irregular periods. Some women have a normal cycle but experience acne, hair thinning, or insulin resistance. A doctor can confirm PCOS with hormone tests and ultrasounds.

3.     Can I get pregnant with PCOS?

Yes, many women with PCOS conceive naturally. Some may need lifestyle changes, a healthy diet, and natural and potent teas like hormone balancing brews. A doctor can guide you on the best approach based on your symptoms.

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Spearmint leaf (Mentha Spicata), Stinging nettle leaf (Urtica Dioica), Lemon grass
(Cymbopogon citratus), Ginger root (Zingiber officinale), Peppermint (Mentha Piperita),
Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia), Ashoka (Saraca Asoca), Lodhra (Symplocos),
Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Daruharidra
(Berberis Aristata)

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teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism. Phytother Res. 2007;21(5):444–7. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2074.

Rogerio A. Lobo, Columbia University. (n.d.). Cinnamon extract on menstrual cycles in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- full text view. Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01483118

Najafipour F, Rahimi AO, Mobaseri M, Agamohamadzadeh N, Nikoo A, Aliasgharzadeh A. Therapeutic effects
of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) in women with Hyperandrogenism. Int J Current Res Acad Rev. 2014;2(7):153–160.

Salve, J., Pate, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, D. (2019). Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults:
A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus, 11(12), e6466. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6466

Kumarapeli M, Karunagoda K and Perera PK: A randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of satapushpa-shatavari powdered drug with satapushpa-
shatavari grita for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018; 9(6): 2494-99. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.9(6).2494-99.

Grant P. Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2010;24(2):186–8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2900.