What causes PCOS?

What Causes PCOS?

The thinking about the cause of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) has changed drastically since I was diagnosed in 1992. At that time there was no real idea of what caused PCOS. Shortly after that the idea that PCOS was caused by insulin resistance became popular. While insulin resistance is one common symptom of PCOS, I do not believe it is the cause. Current research indicates that PCOS may be caused by chronic inflammation within the body.

Chronic inflammation is caused by environmental pollutants, the typical Western diet, stress, lack of sleep, and a sedentary lifestyle. The good news is that most of these causes are treatable. Treat the causes of inflammation and you will not only treat PCOS, but also reduce your risk of asthma, arthritis, heart disease and many other auto-immune related disorders.

Most of the diseases we consider to be "lifestyle" disease such as heart disease, diabetes, and PCOS are now being shown in studies to be linked to chronic inflammation.

There appears to be a genetic component to polycystic ovary syndrome and many women with PCOS can point to members of their family who are clearly insulin resistant, had diabetes, or were infertile. There is a link between obesity, male pattern hair loss and PCOS. However, obesity is unlikely to be the cause of PCOS. Many women develop the signs of PCOS long before they gain weight.

Losing weight can improve PCOS symptoms, but losing weight will not cure PCOS. The hormone insulin is secreted by the pancreas. Insulin helps the cells use blood sugar (glucose) by binding with receptors on the cells. Just as a key unlocks a door, insulin unlocks the cells and allows glucose to pass into the cell from the blood. The cell then uses glucose for energy. Liver and muscle cells also store glucose for future use as glycogen.

When the cells do not respond to a normal amount of insulin they are said to be insulin resistant. The pancreas must then create more insulin to unlock the cells. About 1/3 of people with insulin resistance develop high blood sugar or diabetes type 2.

We know insulin resistance is part of the how, but there is another theory about why PCOS develops. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that are known to interfere with the production or use of hormones in the body. These chemicals are found in our air, water, food, and cosmetics. Pesticides, chemical dyes, aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and many other chemicals have been shown to interrupt the endocrine (hormone production) system.

Most of these chemicals have only been used since just before World War II. Where our mothers and grandmothers may have had a tendency towards PCOS symptoms, their exposure to these chemicals began much later in life. We are hit with full-blown PCOS because our bodies have been swimming in these chemicals since conception. I address this issue in much greater detail in the chapter on toxins. You can learn more about these chemicals and their effect on our bodies by reading It's My Ovaries, Stupid! (The Savvy Woman's Health Guide Series)

You are not in this alone. Offering help and support for women with PCOS.