What are the causes of PCOS?

What is PCOS?

What does PCOS mean?

Well, ‘Polycystic Ovary Syndrome’ or PCOS is a hormonal disorder that is pretty common in women of reproductive age. In this condition, menstrual periods may stop or become unpredictable. PCOS may also adversely affect the fertility of a woman. Women with PCOS may also have an excess of androgen, the male hormone in their bodies. It may also result in the appearance of facial hair and acne and also increases the risk of developing other health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure. PCOS may also cause pelvic pain. But what does PCOS pain feel like? It may feel like a dull ache or a sharp jolt in your lower belly.Women suffering from PCOS may also develop cysts in their ovaries, as the name suggests. However, not all women suffering from PCOS develop cysts in their ovaries.Now, what are PCOD and PCOS? How are they related? PCOD or polycystic ovarian disease is a condition, which results in ovaries producing immature eggs in a woman in large numbers. This makes the ovaries large and consequently increases male hormones in the female body. This causes infertility, irregular menstrual periods etc.What is the difference between PCOS and PCOD?PCOD is basically an endocrine disorder, whereas PCOS is a metabolic disorder. In the case of PCOD, women suffering from it may not be infertile and can conceive. However, in the case of PCOS, women find it difficult to conceive due to hormonal problems. Women suffering from PCOS are also susceptible to miscarriage.PCOD doesn’t generally cause other health complications, but PCOS does. PCOS may lead to other health problems like Type 2 diabetes, heart problems, obesity etc.PCOD is not very serious as a disease; however, PCOS is.

Are you or your loved ones suffering from PCOS?

Now, what happens in PCOS, is what you would ask.Are you having infrequent periods? Is your skin getting darkened on the neck or in the armpits? You might be suffering from PCOS. Some very common symptoms of PCOS include darkened skin, infrequent and prolonged periods. Abnormal uterine bleeding is a symptom too. Also, the growth of facial hair may also be another symptom of PCOS, as in this condition, the male hormone androgen, is found in the body in excess. Pelvic pain is also common in patients suffering from PCOS. Weight gain around the middle may as well be another symptom of PCOS.These are some of the symptoms you need to watch out for in order to detect PCOS in you or your loved ones.

What can cause PCOS?

Now what causes PCOS in females?Though the exact causes of PCOS are not known, some of the reasons behind PCOS can be:

1. Excess insulin production in females is primarily what PCOS is caused by in females. This may increase the male hormone, i.e., androgen levels in the body, which causes difficulty in ovulation.
2. Excess of the male hormone, androgen, in the body results in facial hair and irregular periods. This is also what causes polycystic ovaries.
3. Some studies show that genetics play a role in developing PCOS. Women with PCOS show a genetic correlation.
4. PCOD may also lead to PCOS in a way. In the case of PCOD, several immature eggs are created in the body, which may gradually increase the size of the ovary. This, in return, may again increase androgen levels in the body, thereby hindering your normal menstrual periods.

Best practices for navigating PCOS

For women suffering from PCOS, some practices that may help are:

1. Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight may help you reduce the effects of PCOS. Losing extra weight results in a decrease in insulin level, consequently reducing extra androgen. This may help restore normal ovulation.
2. Carbohydrate intake: Limiting carbohydrate intake reduces insulin secretion. This again reduces androgen production and thus keeps the PCOS in check.
3. Exercise: Exercising controls the sugar level in the blood. This also prevents the production of excess insulin and hence prevents PCOS.

You may ask, what happens if PCOS is left untreated? Untreated PCOS may result in severe health complications like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, miscarriage and even depression, as said earlier. So, it should never be left untreated.

RIO Pads - The Best Sanitary Pad to Manage PCOS-led Heavy Bleeding

Sometimes, a symptom of PCOS may be very heavy periods. Such heavy bleeding may even continue for a week. To tackle these uncomfortable situations, which can cause enough disruption in your life, you may use sanitary pads. Sanitary pads are of great help as they prevent PCOS from affecting your normal life.RIO Heavy Flow pads provide special sanitary pads for women suffering from PCOS. These pads are efficient in absorbing blood up to 90ml. They also absorb clots and prevent any discomfort. RIO Heavy Flow pads come with flow guards that prevent the trickling of blood. These flow guards are made of raised bits of liquid-resistant material which prevent the blood from escaping. They stand along the complete length of the pad and hence prevent leakage from any region.RIO Heavy Flow pads also come with double wings. The front wings help in fastening the pad to the front of the underwear. The back wings hold the other end tight and hence prevent the pad from rolling or twisting. These pads also have a filling based on SAP or super-absorbent polymer, which absorbs all the blood. It absorbs blood 3 times and hence guarantees no itching, no messy feeling and no wetness!Special care is taken while making these pads. They are completely hygienic as they are manufactured without touch. These pads are also free from latex or chlorine. The upper layer is made from soft linen, which makes the pads pretty smooth. These pads also prevent rashes and hence take care of your skin.Hence, RIO Heavy Flow Pads will help you deal with PCOS like a pro!