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What if we told you that PCOS and diabetes are related?

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Anjali Sawant

Our body has an algorithm of its own. Moreover, every individual would have a different one! 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is something that no woman looks forward to. PCOS can affect any woman of any race or ethnicity after she hits puberty. 

The medical world does not know the exact cause of this, but it is, said that genetics and weight do play an important role. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a problem caused due to imbalance of hormones. The reproductive hormone imbalance causes problems in the eggs the ovaries make. The egg is often underdeveloped and not released at the time it needs to. 

PCOS leads to several problems like infertility and cyst formation in the ovaries. 

 

Symptoms: 

  • Irregular menstrual cycles 
  • Growth of facial hair (hirsutism) 
  • Hair loss 
  • Acne 
  • Darkening of skin especially around the neck and groin areas 

Like the iceberg, PCOS has a huge set of problems lying underneath. It can manifest itself in any way and could lead to any health problem. Diabetes is the foremost. It is seen that almost half the women with PCOS develop diabetes. It is likely to cause a deep impact on metabolic health, causing further grave consequences. 

 

PCOS often causes insulin resistance. 

 

Although the body makes insulin, it is unable to use it. Cells in our body, take glucose from the blood to be used for energy. Insulin does the work of stimulating these cells to take up glucose. Insulin resistance is a condition when the cells reject the insulin and hence cannot take glucose or sugar from the blood. The result is a high level of sugar in the blood. The endocrine system is disrupted, and the chances of diabetes are very high. Diabetes is a condition where the sugar levels in the blood get elevated. Diabetes leads to several kidney, eye, nerve, and heart problems. 

Insulin resistance leads to type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or even pre-diabetes.  

 

Women with PCOS have an increased level of androgens. Androgen is the hormone that is primarily, responsible for the development of the reproductive system in men. In women, the main function of androgen is to get converted into estrogen, a female hormone. Ovaries produce this androgen. 

In women with PCOS, androgen is, produced in excess leading to acne and excess hair growth on the chin and upper lips. It also causes irregular periods and problems in ovulation. 

Research in Australia found that women with PCOS were 4 -8.8 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women who did not have PCOS.* 

Women with PCOS can develop type 2 diabetes at later stages of life, as they grow older. 

 

 

So, what can you do? 

 

If you feel you are experiencing some of the symptoms or you are obese, or there is a family history of PCOS; you must visit the doctor. The doctors usually recommend blood tests to establish the cause and treat you accordingly. 

In the manual of prevention and care, the most important thing has always been a preventive health check-up. The thing women should do routinely is to keep diseases at bay. Preventive health check-ups are one of the best solutions for being healthy. Routine check-ups provide an assessment of the body, and the doctor can address the health issues, if any, almost immediately. 

Living with a health issue and not knowing about it can be devastating. The good part is that if PCOS is detected in time, healthcare professionals can help you manage and control the symptoms.  

Making healthy changes is imperative. Medications, along with changes in diet and exercise help to deal with the condition. In case you are overweight, reducing weight is also an important factor to look out for. 

Doctors also routinely check the blood sugar levels because women with PCOS have a greater risk of developing diabetes. 

If you already have PCOS, it is good to go for health check-ups to be sure you are not moving towards the pre-diabetes or diabetes terrain. 

 

Indus Health Plus has a wide range of affordable healthcare packages. 

We believe in healthcare initiatives and encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyles. A preventive health check-up has never been so easy and reasonable.  

Call us to book your appointment. You are sure to be blown away by our services and support staff. So, what are you waiting for? Keep the stress at bay and get that preventive health check-up today! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Anjali Sawant
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