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Writer's pictureLenese Vaughner
Sep 224 min read

5 Things You May Not Know About PCOS That Goes Beyond Insulin Resistance 

By Lenese Vaughner, Dietetic Intern. Medically Reviewed By Sue-Ellen Anderson Haynes, MS, RDN, CDCES, LDN, NASM-CPT, Founder of 360Girls&Women®


September is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness and helping those impacted. According to the World Health Organization, 8-13% of reproductive aged women are diagnosed with hormonal imbalances attributed to PCOS. However, a larger percentage (~70%) is estimated to be undiagnosed.  


Here are the 5 things to consider that goes beyond insulin resistance:


  1. Risk for Infertility: Due to hormonal imbalances, women with PCOS don’t ovulate or have regular periods, which causes infertility.  In addition to infertility, women with PCOS have insulin resistance and are more likely to develop number 2 & 3.

  2. Risk for Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy complications: Research from an article in Science Direct reports, “PCOS can cause pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension. 

  3. Risk for Type II diabetes:  According to the CDC, by age 40, more than 50% of women with PCOS develop type II diabetes.   

  4. Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: research shows that women who have PCOS have a higher risk for coronary artery disease (reduce blood flow to the heart due to build up of substances in the arteries) and stroke.

  5. Risk for systemic inflammation: PCOS has been characterized as low-grade inflammation as evidence by increased inflammatory markers in the blood (CRP, Interleukin 18, etc). 

 

Let’s discuss some of the signs and symptoms of PCOS: 


  1. Cyst on the ovaries- There is an increase in cysts or follicles that develop on the periphery of the ovaries. 

  2. Irregular periods- Women may have a reduction in menstrual periods or periods that are not regular (e.g. last for longer than usual).   

  3. Increased Androgens- There is an increase in the hormone androgen (normally found in men) due to rises in luteinizing hormone (LH) which causes excess facial and body hair, and male-patterned baldness. 

  4. Insulin resistance- Characterized by the body’s insufficient response to insulin released to control blood sugar.  

  5. Inflammation- Women with PCOS often have low-grade inflammation that can be confirmed through lab tests. 




Other symptoms may include

weight gain, acne, skin tags, increased depression and anxiety, and dark areas of skin on the folds in the armpit, neck, and between the legs.  


Although more research is needed to understand why women develop PCOS, it is known that in some women several hormones (including insulin) are altered, causing insulin resistance. Insulin is a key hormone that regulates blood glucose in the body. Insulin resistance occurs when released insulin does not move glucose into the cells to provide energy. 


As a result, the cells are starved and the blood glucose increases because it is not used by the cells. Consequently, the body keeps making insulin. This increased insulin can lead to excessive weight gain and the production of more androgens which can compound symptoms. 



Even though there is no cure for PCOS, it can go into remission as diet and lifestyle therapy may help improve symptoms. 


Below are 5 diet/lifestyle changes that may help manage the symptoms associated with PCOS:

 

1.  Incorporate more plant-based foods in the diet to increase overall fiber and antioxidant intake to aide with reduction of inflammation. 

2. Limit processed foods (range from deli meats to cereals and bars with added sugar, salt, fat and additives) and saturated fat (found naturally in all animal foods and some plant foods such as palm kernel and coconut oil).

3. Manage stress levels 

4. Ensure you are getting enough sleep 

5. Engage in physical activity on a regular basis 


Personalized nutrition is key when addressing PCOS as each person’s medical history, lifestyle, eating patterns, symptoms, etc vary dramatically.

It is imperative to seek out expert advice when managing a chronic condition. Working with your Primary Care Provider, OBGYN and Women’s Health Dietitian is a good place to start.  

To learn more about our individualized holistic nutrition and wellness plan or program book a call. 

 


Sue-Ellen Anderson Haynes, MS, RDN, CDCES, LDN, NASM-CPT, founder of 360Girls&Women® Award Winning and Nationally recognized nutrition and food expert and leading global expert in Gestational Diabetes.  

 

"What makes us different?" 

 360 represents completion. At 360 G+W we provide personalized insight to help girls and women dramatically improve their wellbeing. Our mission is to provide evidence-based information and services to help maximize a woman's complete health through the complete life-cycle - preventing, managing, and reversing certain reproductive and chronic illnesses- using nutrition as the foundation along with other innovative holistic practices. Read more. 

 

 

 

References: 


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/risk-factors/pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html#:~:text=People%20with%20PCOS%20often%20have,risk%20of%20type%202%20diabetes  

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, February 12). PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos  

Dong, J., & Rees, D. A. (2023). Polycystic ovary syndrome: Pathophysiology and therapeutic opportunities. BMJ Medicine, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjmed-2023-000548  

Fahs, D., Salloum, D., Nasrallah, M., & Ghazeeri, G. (2023). Polycystic ovary syndrome: Pathophysiology and controversies in diagnosis. Diagnostics, 13(9), 1559. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13091559  

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, September 8). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439  

Pate, S. (2018). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), an inflammatory, systemic, lifestyle endocrinopathy. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 182 (27-36) 

Singh, S., Pal, N., Shubham, S., Sarma, D. K., Verma, V., Marotta, F., & Kumar, M. (2023). Polycystic ovary syndrome: Etiology, current management, and future therapeutics. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(4), 1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041454  

Zhao, H., Zhang, J., Cheng, X., Nie, X., & He, B. (2023). Insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome across various tissues: An updated review of pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment. Journal of Ovarian Research, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-022-01091-0  

 

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