1 In 7 Women Suffer From It – PCOS
- Brainz Magazine
- Aug 23, 2024
- 5 min read
Written by Anna Mercoiret, Holistic Coach
Anna Mercoiret, founder of the Wholistic method, is a holistic coach who overcame serious health issues from a high-stress finance career in Paris through Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Energy Work. Now, she helps others achieve balance and wellness with her integrative approach, combining body, mind, and soul healing.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 7 women of reproductive age and is the leading cause of infertility worldwide.
What is PCOS?
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) was once considered merely a hormonal imbalance. However, given its widespread impact on the body's metabolism, PCOS has recently been classified as an autoimmune disorder—meaning a disease generated by the body itself. The causes are multifaceted: genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors
.
Common symptoms – Not to be overlooked
Many women exhibit symptoms of PCOS but are often only diagnosed when trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, to conceive. It's crucial to remember that PCOS is the leading cause of infertility globally.
Menstrual disorders
One of the symptoms of PCOS is menstrual irregularities:
Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation for several months),
Oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstruation: fewer than eight cycles per year),
Irregular cycles,
Pelvic pain (lower abdominal pain),
Or menometrorrhagia (heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding).
Hyperandrogenism
Hyperandrogenism refers to elevated levels of androgens in the body. Symptoms of hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS include:
Hirsutism, or excessive hair growth on the face, chin, chest, back, and potentially other areas where women typically have little or no hair,
Acne, particularly on the lower face,
Androgenic alopecia, characterized by hair loss or thinning, particularly around the temples and crown of the head,
Excess sebum, leading to oily skin,
Menstrual disorders, as mentioned earlier.
Insulin resistance
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels. Insulin resistance occurs when there is an overproduction of insulin. This hyperinsulinemia stimulates the ovaries to produce more androgens, contributing to hyperandrogenism, which further exacerbates insulin resistance—a vicious cycle. Symptoms of insulin resistance include fatigue, especially after meals, excessive hunger with sugar cravings, difficulty losing weight, and headaches.
Chronic fatigue, weight gain
Many women with PCOS gain weight easily, particularly around the abdomen (abdominal obesity), or have difficulty losing it.
They may also experience post-meal fatigue, chronic fatigue, and low energy levels, most often linked to insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances.
Infertility
Infertility is also a consequence of PCOS. It manifests as difficulties in conceiving due to irregular or absent ovulation. Notably, PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women.
Depression
Due to the challenges of living with these symptoms, and because of the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS, many women with PCOS suffer from depression.
Causes of PCOS
Several factors contribute to PCOS: genetic or epigenetic causes, environmental factors, and factors that exacerbate and perpetuate the condition.
Genetic factors
The causes can be genetic or epigenetic, such as a family history of PCOS or fetal programming. PCOS is transgenerational: mothers pass on this predisposition to develop polycystic ovaries through epigenetic mechanisms.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors are often present, including endocrine disruptors, whose long-term toxicity is well known.
They can cause hormonal imbalances, weight gain, hyperinsulinism, sometimes hyperprolactinemia, and thyroid disorders (e.g., subclinical hypothyroidism), often accompanied by chronic stress, which is linked to increased adrenal production of androgens like DHEA, a precursor of testosterone.
Exacerbating factors
Hormonal imbalances - PCOS is characterized by elevated levels of androgens and LH (luteinizing hormone) and low levels of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), leading to irregular menstrual cycles, acne, hirsutism, alopecia, and infertility. These imbalances can be exacerbated by obesity and insulin resistance.
Stress - Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and influencing sex hormone levels. Stress also contributes to sleep disorders, affecting mental health.
Chronic inflammation - Chronic inflammation can result from stress, diet, obesity, or other environmental factors. Inflammation disrupts ovarian function and increases insulin resistance.
Eating disorders – Hyperinsulinemia - Eating disorders, such as excessive sugar intake, refined carbohydrates, and a diet high in saturated fats, raise insulin levels and cause inflammation, insulin resistance, weight gain, and increased androgen levels. This also raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and worsens hormonal imbalances and metabolic disorders.
Gut dysbiosis - Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the intestines, causing digestive disorders, inflammation, mood disorders, weakened immunity, mental health issues, weight gain, and, of course, hormonal imbalances, including PCOS.
Lack of physical activity - Lack of physical activity contributes to weight gain and reduces insulin receptor sensitivity, increasing insulin resistance.
Obesity - Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, increases insulin and androgen levels. Fat cells produce inflammatory cytokines and hormones, such as leptin, disrupting hormonal balance. This contributes to increased insulin resistance, worsening menstrual disorders, and exacerbating acne and hirsutism.
Environmental factors and toxins - Exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates and bisphenols (BPA), can interfere with hormonal regulation and worsen PCOS symptoms.
Smoking - Smoking can increase androgen levels and decrease SHBG levels. It also contributes to insulin resistance and inflammation, worsening hormonal imbalances, PCOS symptoms, and the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Genetics - PCOS can be exacerbated by a family history of PCOS, obesity, or type 2 diabetes.
PCOS: A life sentence?
Fortunately, no! PCOS is not a life sentence, and it is possible to manage it, as I have done, through an anti-inflammatory diet and a healthy lifestyle that restores hormonal balance and fertility. While PCOS cannot be cured, its symptoms can be reduced, leading to a more balanced life.
What natural solutions are available?
A holistic approach must be implemented to manage PCOS.
A balanced diet: through an anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic index diet rich in omega-3s and composed of whole, unprocessed foods,
An anti-inflammatory and hormones friendly lifestyle: avoiding endocrine disruptors, pollutants, and pesticides,
Daily stress management: using tools such as breathing exercises, implementing appropriate routines, phytotherapy (adaptogenic plants), and aromatherapy,
Regular, low-intensity exercise: such as yoga, Pilates, or strength training,
Potentially energy healing practices like Reiki for physical and emotional well-being,
And, of course, regular monitoring by an endocrinologist and a naturopath.
How to proceed?
As someone who has managed PCOS within six months through a holistic approach, I now help many women who seek to restore their health naturally.
Feel free to schedule a free discovery call to learn more about my unique method.
Anna Mercoiret, Holistic Coach
Anna Mercoiret is a holistic coach and the founder of the Wholistic method. After a demanding career in finance in Paris led to numerous health issues, Anna transformed her life through Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, Energy Work, and Personal Development. In just six months, she regulated her PCOS, reduced chronic inflammation, stabilized her kidney insufficiency, calmed her anxiety, and relocated to Bali.
Drawing on her comprehensive training and personal experience, Anna developed the Wholistic method, which aims to balance the body, mind, and soul. Today, she helps individuals master their health, find balance, and lead more aligned lives through tailored holistic coaching.
