What Are the Associated Risks of PCOS?

It is September which means that it is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month!  I am hoping to bring more awareness to this syndrome and help educate you along the way.  I am not a doctor or a nutritionist.  I am a woman who was diagnosed early in life and has been learning about my diagnosis ever since.  If you have specific questions, you can, of course, ask them, and I will do my best to answer.  However, I would encourage you to take them to your doctor as well.

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As I have mentioned previously, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome often goes undiagnosed or it can be misdiagnosed.  That is unfortunate, and here's why.  There are a lot of secondary diseases that are associated with PCOS that you have to be aware of.

Having a diagnosis means that you know what to look for and how to care for your body.  It also means that you know there are possibilities of future complications.  But by knowing that you have PCOS, you can start now to lower the chances of complications.

What are some of the risks and complications associated with PCOS?

• Infertility.  I know that I've mentioned this in the past, but many women don't even know they have PCOS until they start trying to conceive.  If they have difficulty, it's in the months following when they have doctors appointments, that they may be tested and diagnosed.
• Gestational Diabetes.  Women with PCOS have a higher chance of having gestational diabetes when pregnant, which will contribute to having a "high-risk pregnancy."
• Miscarriage/premature birth.  Women have a higher risk of miscarriage, and there's also a higher risk of premature birth.  Women who have PCOS and are pregnant may be considered a "high-risk pregnancy."
• Metabolic Syndrome.  Women with PCOS have higher chances of having metabolic syndrome, which according to Mayo Clinic, is defined as a "cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels — that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes."
• Type 2 Diabetes. Women with PCOS have a higher risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes, especially if they have Insulin Resistance.
• High Blood Pressure.
• High Cholesterol.
• Heart Disease.
• Sleep Apnea.
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Eating Disorders.
• Endometrial Cancer.  Women who have irregular or non-existent periods are at higher risk for endometrial cancer.  Having an irregular period with the absence of ovulation cause the body to produce estrogen, but not progesterone.  Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus cannot shed, the endometrium becomes thick, which can cause heavy or irregular bleeding, and this can lead to uterine cancer. [Side note...this risk is what made me decide to go on the birth control pill.]

A lot of the things mentioned above can be prevented.  Some of them cannot.  Some of the conditions mentioned above can be reversed, which is always a good sign.

Personally, I am glad that I have been diagnosed so that I can do my research and know what is possible.  I also know how to change my lifestyle now so that I can give my body the best nutrients possible.  I know how to prevent some of these things and work to an overall healthier me.

If you know someone who could benefit from reading this blog, by all means, share it!  After all, sharing is caring and greatly appreciated!