PCOS -HEALTH BUZZ WHAT DO KNOW ABOUT POLOCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROM
According to Dr. Geoffrey Redmond, an endocrinologist specializing in female
hormones, "just because the ovaries are not functioning as much doesn't mean
that the other abnormalities won't still be present."
He goes on to point out that studies show that male hormone levels climb fairly sharply with age (2). This could mean a worsening of symptoms such as excess hair growth as those hormones become more active. It could also mean that insulin-related issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular symptoms could become more problematic.
While the research on menopausal/PCOS mechanisms is sparse, we do know that because PCOS affects many of the body's systems, the responses of each of these systems to aging will vary; and they will also vary according to the individual.
The long term prognosis of
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is confirmed by reproductive endocrinologist, Dr.
Walter Futterweit, who says: "It's not just there when you're trying to have
your children. And even into the ages of 40s, you still can have the irregular
cycles, the excess androgens. Some of the long-term complications are things
that are going to be manifest as the person gets older. So it's not just a here,
there for a few years. It's pretty much a lifetime illness" (3).
The name 'Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome' points to the ovaries because it was long considered to be a reproductive issue, but it is now widely accepted that polycystic ovaries develop as a result of endocrine disorders characterized by a series of hormone imbalances: hyperandrogenism (specifically excess testosterone) and Insulin Resistance due to excess insulin which can trigger a cascade of other hormonal problems (4). From a systemic point of view, the continuing and/or increase of PCOS symptoms is likely due to continuing hormonal imbalance.
Any disruption of the endocrine system's delicate balance
can have a profound ripple-effect on almost every other aspect of a woman's
body, and it is just such a disruption that is found in women with PCOS. Insulin
Resistance results from reduced insulin sensitivity by the body's cells causing
an excess of insulin and glucose in the blood.
In the case of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, excess insulin causes the ovaries to produce excess testosterone which can prevent ovulation and result in infertility. High insulin levels can also increase the conversion of testosterone into estrogen which effects weight gain and the formation of ovarian cysts (5). Excess glucose is stored in fat cells which continue to pump out excess estrogen further destabilizing the hormone system. In the vascular system, insulin increases the risk of heart disease (6) and it is a known precursor to diabetes. Unfortunately, these risks increase as a woman ages.
Although there isn't a
single cure for PCOS, lifestyle and nutritional changes can significantly
improve these imbalances. Weight loss and exercise reduce the levels of insulin
and supplementation with nutraceuticals can balance out the systemic
biochemistry. A healthy lifestyle is the best medicine and through a
comprehensive and consistent improvement in diet and activity, PCOS symptoms can
be effectively managed or diminished or be made to disappear
completely.
You may be interested in some of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PCOS and the Insulite PCOS System.
(1) International Position Paper on Women's Health and Menopause, National heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Research on Women's Health, NIH and Giovanni and Lorenzi Medical Science Foundation, NIH publication No. 02-3284 July 2002.
(2) Menopause / PCOS: Estrogen Loss and Aging- Perloe M, Redmond G, European Menopause and Andropause Society,
(3) Managing the Symptoms of PCOS, Futterweit, W., The Healthology.org website
(4)(5) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Clinical Considerations, Marshall K, ND candidate 2001, Altern Med Rev 2001;6(3): 272-292.
(6) Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Talbott E; Guzick D; Clerici A; Berga S; Detre K; Weimer K; Kuller L.; Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1995;15:821-826.
He goes on to point out that studies show that male hormone levels climb fairly sharply with age (2). This could mean a worsening of symptoms such as excess hair growth as those hormones become more active. It could also mean that insulin-related issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular symptoms could become more problematic.
While the research on menopausal/PCOS mechanisms is sparse, we do know that because PCOS affects many of the body's systems, the responses of each of these systems to aging will vary; and they will also vary according to the individual.
The long term prognosis of
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is confirmed by reproductive endocrinologist, Dr.
Walter Futterweit, who says: "It's not just there when you're trying to have
your children. And even into the ages of 40s, you still can have the irregular
cycles, the excess androgens. Some of the long-term complications are things
that are going to be manifest as the person gets older. So it's not just a here,
there for a few years. It's pretty much a lifetime illness" (3).Hormonal Imbalances
The name 'Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome' points to the ovaries because it was long considered to be a reproductive issue, but it is now widely accepted that polycystic ovaries develop as a result of endocrine disorders characterized by a series of hormone imbalances: hyperandrogenism (specifically excess testosterone) and Insulin Resistance due to excess insulin which can trigger a cascade of other hormonal problems (4). From a systemic point of view, the continuing and/or increase of PCOS symptoms is likely due to continuing hormonal imbalance.
Any disruption of the endocrine system's delicate balance
can have a profound ripple-effect on almost every other aspect of a woman's
body, and it is just such a disruption that is found in women with PCOS. Insulin
Resistance results from reduced insulin sensitivity by the body's cells causing
an excess of insulin and glucose in the blood. In the case of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, excess insulin causes the ovaries to produce excess testosterone which can prevent ovulation and result in infertility. High insulin levels can also increase the conversion of testosterone into estrogen which effects weight gain and the formation of ovarian cysts (5). Excess glucose is stored in fat cells which continue to pump out excess estrogen further destabilizing the hormone system. In the vascular system, insulin increases the risk of heart disease (6) and it is a known precursor to diabetes. Unfortunately, these risks increase as a woman ages.
Managing PCOS
Although there isn't a
single cure for PCOS, lifestyle and nutritional changes can significantly
improve these imbalances. Weight loss and exercise reduce the levels of insulin
and supplementation with nutraceuticals can balance out the systemic
biochemistry. A healthy lifestyle is the best medicine and through a
comprehensive and consistent improvement in diet and activity, PCOS symptoms can
be effectively managed or diminished or be made to disappear
completely.You may be interested in some of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PCOS and the Insulite PCOS System.
- Are there any drug interactions between pharmaceutical medications and the Insulite PCOS System?
- Is there anything in the Insulite PCOS System that will increase blood pressure?
- Can I purchase the supplements only, without the diet and exercise guidelines?
(1) International Position Paper on Women's Health and Menopause, National heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Research on Women's Health, NIH and Giovanni and Lorenzi Medical Science Foundation, NIH publication No. 02-3284 July 2002.
(2) Menopause / PCOS: Estrogen Loss and Aging- Perloe M, Redmond G, European Menopause and Andropause Society,
(3) Managing the Symptoms of PCOS, Futterweit, W., The Healthology.org website
(4)(5) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Clinical Considerations, Marshall K, ND candidate 2001, Altern Med Rev 2001;6(3): 272-292.
(6) Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Talbott E; Guzick D; Clerici A; Berga S; Detre K; Weimer K; Kuller L.; Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1995;15:821-826.
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