From insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes, find out the disorders linked to Polycystic Ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the disorder that involves a set of symptoms relating to hormonal imbalance and is experiences by women and girls of reproductive age.
Here are the disorders described below, as listed by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream into cells to use as energy. Glucose in the blood is the body's main source of fuel. When cells don't respond to insulin, the level of glucose in the blood rises. In addition, the level of insulin goes up as the body produces more and more of it to try to get glucose into the cells.
High levels of insulin can increase appetite and lead to weight gain. In addition:
- Too much glucose and insulin in the blood can lead to serious health conditions, including metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
- A symptom of PCOS called - patches of thickened, dark, velvety skin-is associated with insulin resistance.
- Too much insulin increases the production of androgens by the ovaries. Having abnormally high androgens causes many of the symptoms of PCOS.
- About 50% to 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance.
Metabolic Syndrome
This syndrome occurs when the body is not able to balance all the chemicals and processes it needs to create and use energy. Its features include insulin resistance, high blood sugar, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
- Metabolic syndrome increases the risk for diabetes and heart disease.
- Insulin resistance increases the production of androgens.
- About one in three women with PCOS also has metabolic syndrome.
Type 2 Diabetes
In people with diabetes, the body has stopped producing insulin or does not use it properly. As a result, the glucose level in the blood rises, but the cells don't get the glucose they need for energy. If the blood glucose level is high for prolonged periods of time or on a regular basis, the condition is called diabetes.
- If not managed, diabetes can cause serious damage to the kidneys and can lead to blindness, nerve damage, and hearing loss.
- Type 2 diabetes also increases the risk for heart disease and high blood pressure.
- More than 50% of women with PCOS will have either type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) before age 40.
Obesity
Obesity is a condition in which the body stores more fat than is healthy based on a person's height and body type. Obesity in women with PCOS may result from imbalanced hormone levels, increased deposition of fat due to higher insulin levels, metabolic dysfunction (problems with how the body stores and uses energy), or a combination of these factors.
- Obesity can lead to serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
- As many as 80% of women with PCOS are obese
Source: NICHD