These sacs are actually follicles, each one containing an immature egg. The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation.
The lack of ovulation alters levels of female hormones like estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. Estrogen and progesterone levels are lower than usual, while male hormone androgen levels are higher than usual.
Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle, so women with PCOS get fewer periods than usual.
PCOS is a problem with hormones that affects women during their childbearing years (ages 15 to 44)
PCOS affects a woman’s ovaries, the reproductive organs that produce estrogen and progesterone — hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. The ovaries also produce a small amount of male hormones called androgens.
The ovaries release eggs to be fertilized by a man’s sperm. The release of an egg each month is called ovulation.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) control ovulation. FSH stimulates the ovary to produce a follicle — a sac that contains an egg — and then LH triggers the ovary to release a mature egg.
PCOS is a “syndrome,” or group of symptoms that affects the ovaries and ovulation. Its three main features are:
- Cysts in the ovaries
- high levels of male hormones
- irregular or skipped periods
Causes of PCOS-
Doctors don’t know exactly what causes PCOS. They believe that high levels of male hormones prevent the ovaries from producing hormones and making eggs normally.
Genes, insulin resistance, and inflammation have all been linked to excess androgen production.
Genes-
Studies show that PCOS runs in families
It’s likely that many genes — not just one — contribute to the condition.
Insulin resistance -
Up to 70 percent of women with PCOS have insulin resistance , meaning that their cells can’t use insulin properly.
Insulin is a hormone the pancreas produces to help the body use sugar from foods for energy.
When cells can’t use insulin properly, the body’s demand for insulin increases. The pancreas makes more insulin to compensate. Extra insulin triggers the ovaries to produce more male hormones.
Obesity is a major cause of insulin resistance. Both obesity and insulin resistance can increase risk for type 2 diabetes.
Inflammation -
Women with PCOS often have increased levels of inflammation in their body. Being overweight can also contribute to inflammation. Studies have linked excess inflammation to higher androgen levels.
Effects of PCOS -
Having higher-than-normal androgen levels can affect fertility and other aspects of health.
Infertility-
To get pregnant, womens have to ovulate. Women who don’t ovulate regularly don’t release as many eggs to be fertilized. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.
Metabolic syndrome -
Up to 80 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. Both obesity and PCOS increase risk for high blood sugar, high blood pressure , low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Together, these factors are called metabolic syndrome , and they increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke .
Sleep apnea -
This condition causes repeated pauses in breathing during the night, which interrupt sleep.
Sleep apnea is more common in women who are overweight — especially if they also have PCOS. The risk for sleep apnea is 5 to 10 times higher in obese women with PCOS than in those without PCOS.
Endometrial cancer -
During ovulation, the uterine lining sheds. If someone don’t ovulate every month, the lining can build up.
A thickened uterine lining can increase risk for endometrial cancer.
Depression -
Both hormonal changes and symptoms like unwanted hair growth can negatively affect emotions. Many with PCOS end up experiencing depression and anxiety.