What are the 4 Types of PCOS?

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS has become a very common problem among Indian women in the past few years. Today, PCOS affects 1 in every 5 Indian women.

The exact cause for PCOS is not known but an imbalance of reproductive hormones is witnessed in all women suffering from PCOS. The reproductive system starts producing an excess of the male hormones, androgens. It can also lead to the formation of small cysts in either or both the ovaries and complications during pregnancy.

What are the Symptoms of PCOS?

The symptoms of PCOS may include:

• Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods

• Ovaries that have cysts or are enlarged

• Hirsutism or excess body hair

• Weight gain, especially in the abdominal region

• Acne or oily skin

• Male-pattern baldness or thinning of hair

• Infertility or issues in conceiving

• Darkening of skin folds

What type of PCOS do I have?

If you thought there is just one kind of PCOS, be prepared for a nasty little surprise. While, reproductive health issues such as PCOS and PCOD are coming into limelight, thanks to the feminists on the internet; not much research has actually been done on the issues related to the female reproductive health. The treatment approach to cure any of these types of PCOS is not clear. But, hey, we have them neatly arranged into different categories. Let’s go through different types of PCOS and symptoms each can occur with:

• Insulin resistant PCOS

  Nearly 70 percent of cases fall under this category. Insulinoma, a condition where cells become numb to the effects of insulin, arises in this type of PCOS. Symptoms of insulin resistance PCOS can include abdominal weight gain, sugar cravings and fatigue.

  Regular exercise and activity can be of help in treating this type of PCOS. In addition to this, try avoiding sugar-loaded foods and have a balanced diet. Get eight hours of your beauty sleep and don’t stress. Have your doctor prescribe you magnesium, chromium, and inositol supplements.

• Post-pill PCOS

  This is where the common myth comes from. PCOS-like symptoms can occur temporarily when you stop taking oral contraceptive pills. Experts believe that these symptoms are not caused by the pills itself, but are your body’s way of adjusting to its usual routine pre-birth control. Good sleep and low stress can help. Post-pill PCOS symptoms can include:

  • changes in your menstrual cycle

  • weight gain

  • Acne

  • hair loss

  • fertility difficulties

  Consuming foods with nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and zinc could be helpful.

• Adrenal PCOS

  This occurs mainly when your stress levels are triggered beyond your capacity. It leads to high levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

  Adrenal PCOS symptoms can include:

  • Irritability

  • Mood swings

  • Fatigue

  • Sleeping problems

  Try reducing your stress levels through yoga, meditation and other mindful, slow-paced activities. Taking foods rich in nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B5 and vitamin C can help.

• Inflammatory PCOS

  This type of PCOS occurs due to chronic inflammation within your body. Your testosterone levels increase due to poor lifestyle choices.

  Inflammatory PCOS symptoms can include:

  • Headaches

  • unexplained fatigue

  • Skin issues like eczema

  Avoid foods that increase inflammation and maintain good gut health.

How to treat PCOS?

PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual symptoms, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or weight gain.

Medications:

To regulate your menstrual cycle, your doctor might recommend:

• Combination birth control pills- These pills contain estrogen to help decrease androgen production and progestin to regulate estrogen.

• Progestin therapy - Progestin regulates your periods and protects against endometrial cancer.

Some medications to help you ovulate:

• Clomiphene.

• Letrozole (Femara).

• Metformin.

• Gonadotropins.

If you’re looking to reduce excessive hair growth, your doctor might recommend:

• Birth control pills to decrease androgen production.

• Spironolactone (Aldactone) to block the effects of androgen on the skin

• Eflornithine (Vaniqa) to slow facial hair growth in women.

• Electrolysis to destroy the hair follicle.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To help decrease the effects of PCOS, try to:

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Limit carbohydrates.

• Be active.

If you were wondering “What type of PCOS do I have?” We hope you now know or if you didn’t you have learnt something new.