The 4 Types of PCOS and Their Diagnosis

The term PCOS is something so many women all around the world are scared of finding in their medical reports. Do you know why?

Do You Know What PCOS is and Why Is It a Problem?

PCOS is a syndrome or a group of syndromes where there is an absolute imbalance in reproductive hormones leading to the formation of cysts. Its common signs and symptoms are:

• fertility issues
• mood swings
• abnormal period cycles

It affects 1 in every 5 women in India. In PCOS, a woman’s ovaries contain many small, fluid-filled sacs called follicles in which each one contains an immature egg. The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation causing several hormonal imbalances as well as other issues. 

 

 

How Do You Figure Out Which Type of PCOS You May Have?

There are 4 types of PCOS with several similar and different symptoms. It is possible to treat PCOS and reverse its symptoms naturally and effectively. Let’s figure out which one you have so you can start feeling better soon!

1. Insulin resistance PCOS

This is the most common type of PCOS occurring in about 70 percent of the cases. Insulin is a hormone that lowers the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. In this type, the body produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively making the cells numb to the effect of insulin causing a condition called insulinoma. 

Symptoms:

• Abdominal weight gain
• Sugar cravings
• Fatigue

How to Manage Insulin Resistance PCOS?

• Regular exercise and movement 
• Avoid high-sugar food
• Eat simple, balanced meals helps
• Reduce stress
• Sleep well to manage insulin levels

 2. Adrenal PCOS

This occurs during a massive and abnormal stress period and typically affects about 10% of women. It interferes with hormones making it difficult for women to conceive due to a surge in the levels of testosterone. 

Symptoms:

• High levels of cortisol
• High levels of DHEA
• Development of facial hair

How to manage Adrenal PCOS?

• Reduce stress levels through yoga, meditation, and good sleep.
• Avoid high-intensity exercise.
• Intake of food rich in magnesium, vitamin B5, and vitamin C to support the adrenal glands.
• Avoid caffeinated and fizzy drinks like coffee, cola, etc. 

3. Inflammatory PCOS

It occurs due to chronic inflammation in the ovaries, occurring due to poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle which leads to increased testosterone levels.

Symptoms:

• Increase in C reactive protein
• Joint pain in knees, hips, etc.
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Skin issues like eczema 

How to manage Inflammatory PCOS?

• Maintain good gut health by balancing gut bacteria
• Avoid hot and spicy food like food with too much chili and oil.
• Use natural anti-inflammatories and antioxidants like turmeric.

 

4. Post-pill PCOS

This occurs after stopping the intake of oral contraceptive pills. They are birth control pills taken to prevent pregnancy. Once taking the pills is stopped, it may lead to some worse conditions. It is a temporary situation and reversible.

Symptoms:

• Loss of hair on the head
• Extreme tiredness
• Infertility related problems

How to manage Post-Pill PCOS?

• Sound sleep for about 6-8 hours.
• Keeping stress at a low level
• Consuming food rich in magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and zinc

 

What are Some Symptoms That Suggest You Could Have PCOS?

Some signs and symptoms that are indicative of PCOS in women and might help with your diagnosis are: 

• Irregularity of Menstruation:

Irregular or absent menstrual periods may be delayed by weeks or months, several times skipping months altogether and showing up unexpectedly and randomly.

• Cysts:

Enlarged ovaries that have cysts (follicles) on them. This can be diagnosed through ultrasound.

• Acne:

Severe and painful acne breakout all over the face and neck. An increase in the male hormone ‘progesterone’ causes this. 

• Body Hair:

Progesterone, the male hormone is also responsible for causing excessive growth of body hair on arms, legs and stomach areas. 

• Infertility:

PCOS causes problems related to conceiving like infertility that makes it too difficult for a woman to become pregnant naturally.

• Oily Skin:

Having excessively oily skin on the face and neck.

• Thinning Hair:

Hair is thinned on the head causing excessive hair fall and balding.

It is essential to remember that this can manifest differently in different individuals, and not all women will ever experience the same symptoms or with the same severity. Additionally, this condition may evolve differently over time, and its impact on a woman’s health can change over the course of her life.

 

What are the Causes of PCOS?

The several factors that may play a role in this syndrome are: 

• Insulin resistance

Too much insulin might cause your body to make too much of the male hormone androgen. You could have trouble with ovulation, the process where eggs are released from the ovary.

• Low-grade inflammation

White blood cells make substances in response to infection or injury. This response is called low-grade inflammation. Research shows that people with this have a type of long-term, low-grade inflammation that leads polycystic ovaries to produce androgens leading lead to heart and blood vessel problems.

• Heredity

 Research suggests that certain genes may actually be linked to having a family history of PCOS and may play an important role in developing the condition. Don’t worry, epigenetics has established that lifestyle choices and environmental factors influence gene expression, manifesting hormonal imbalances. By harnessing epigenetic potential, women can influence their hormonal health positively.

• Excess androgen

The ovaries may produce high levels of androgen. Having too much androgen interferes with ovulation. Eggs will not develop on a regular basis and will not be released from the follicles where they develop. Excess androgen also can result in a lot of acne and oily skin.

 

How Do You Effectively Manage Your PCOS?

PCOS is definitely manageable by making some lifestyle modifications to suit your problems. Some tips to manage PCOS in an effective manner are: 

• Check your levels of estrogen, progesterone, and androgens to understand your hormone production and metabolism.
• Balance your blood sugar to improve insulin sensitivity
• Exercise and move your body every day
• Consume essential nutrients and build food habits that work for you 
• Consult with the right experts that understand you and the capacity for your body to heal naturally

 

So Ultimately How Do You Go About Your PCOS Journey?

PCOS is a complex hormonal condition stemming from genetic predispositions coupled with modern lifestyle triggers.

The ten modern lifestyle root causes for hormonal imbalance related to PCOS

• Food-Related Causes- Inflammation, toxicity, acidity, excess male hormones, insulin resistance
• Exercise-Related Causes: Sedentary lifestyle, lack of muscle strength, excess ovarian fat
• Sleep-Related Causes  Poor sleep quality (Lack of Deep Sleep)
• Stress-Related Causes – Chronic Stress.

Five Pillars Integrated Lifestyle Approach Helps You to Have Hormonal Balance and Reversing the Symptoms

• Eat Right: Embrace living, water-rich, whole, plant-based foods that nurture our genetic potential. By opting for local and seasonal choices, we honor nature’s wisdom. Eliminating packaged and processed foods liberates us from epigenetic imprints, elevating our hormonal health.
• Move More: Embark on a journey of holistic lifestyle changes, where staying active transcends mere exercise. Embracing constant movement throughout the day optimizes epigenetic expression, igniting hormonal balance. Engage in pleasurable physical activities, dance, or even mindful walks to unlock the power of epigenetic triggers.
• Breathe Aware: As we deepen our understanding of Pranayama, the science of breath, we access a profound gateway to support gland function and harmonize hormones. Harnessing the breath’s epigenetic influence, we transcend the ordinary and elevate our hormonal well-being.
• Sleep Better: Unlock the secrets of deep sleep, a transformative practice for healing and regeneration. With the art of Yog Nidra, we embrace epigenetic potential, unearthing hormonal harmony in the realm of dreams. Rejuvenate your entire being through this exquisite dance with the epigenetic clock.
• Mind Free: Journey into the realm of emotions, thoughts, and stress resilience, where journaling, gratitude, and emotional practices become our guiding compass. Embracing epigenetic intelligence, we shift our narrative from stress to serenity, empowering our hormonal landscape.

Being a woman in today’s world of constantly having to deal with work and life at the same time is far from easy but you have to also take care of yourself is just as important as everything else. Help is available! If you suspect you may have PCOS or are experiencing symptoms associated with join our women-only community.