Causes of PCOS
Doctors and researchers have yet to uncover the exact cause of polycystic ovarian syndrome, but there are a couple of theories:
Genes
Some studies have looked at how family history plays a role. The condition clearly runs in families, and it is believed that multiple genes could be responsible for or contribute to PCOS.
Inflammation
Women with the condition tend to have higher levels of inflammation in their bodies. Many women with PCOS are overweight, and high amounts of body fat as contribute to inflammation. Excess inflammation has been linked to elevated androgen levels, as well. This many also lead to blood vessel and heart problems.
Androgens
Although all women produce a small amount of male hormones, there is usually rarely enough to cause male characteristics in women. Androgens are what control certain traits, like male-pattern baldness or acne and hirsutism. Women with PCOS have higher amounts of androgens, and that leads to issues with ovulation.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that assists with controlling how the food you consume is converted into energy. When a body is resistant to insulin, it will not respond normally and can cause disruptions with metabolism of blood glucose. Many women who have PCOS are also insulin resistant, overweight or obese, have unhealthy diets, lead a sedentary lifestyle, and usually have a family history of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance typically progresses into type 2 diabetes if ones lifestyle habits do not change.
Realize that many of this causes are interconnected. In most cases, PCOS is not caused by a single issue but by many. Other potential causes include stress caused by chronic inflammation, sleep apnea, and also post-pill syndrome, which happens after you stop taking hormonal birth control.
