PCOS and Insulin Resistance: What’s Really Going on with Your Body

We all know about the side effects of PCOS which stem from hormonal imbalance, where androgen levels are significantly increased while other hormonal levels (such as progesterone) decrease. But what is the root cause of PCOS? What creates this hormonal imbalance, leading to all of the nasty symptoms?

There is sufficient research that links insulin resistance with the imbalanced hormones that lead to polycystic ovarian syndrome. Insulin resistance (believe me, I was no science major) is basically a condition where the cells in your body do not properly utilize glucose as it’s released, so the pancreas compensates by overproducing insulin. Once this happens, and glucose and insulin are free-floating in the body, your ovaries release an excess amount of androgens (male hormones), throwing the rest of your hormones out of balance and leaving you with the symptoms you’re experiencing. I know that was a mouth-full, but it’s important to understand what’s going on with your body so you can do something about it.

As androgen levels increase, we women with PCOS experience things like:

an irregular or absent menstrual cycle
lack of ovulation and infertility
acne, oily skin and skin tags
ovarian cysts
severe PMS
fatigue and mood swings (even aggression)
depression and anxiety
weight gain and obesity
inability to lose weight
cravings for carbs, sugar and alcohol

That’s just the beginning of the list, as I’m sure you’re aware.The point is that with all of these symptoms, what are we supposed to do about it? The great news is that you CAN do things to create a better “response” to glucose and insulin in your body, thereby creating a harmonious balance in your hormonal levels.

Many of the things you can do get healthy and take the “PCOS bull by the horns,” include:

Exercise - don’t take this one for granted! Exercise makes a HUGE difference in blood glucose and insulin levels.
Eating whole foods - nutrition has a tremendous effect on your health, be it positive or negative. Choose whole, healthy foods to nourish your body.
Breathing and meditation - this isn’t a religion, it’s a practice of self-care. When you breath fully and take time to meditate, you can decrease blood pressure and create stable moods.
Supplementation - herbs and high-quality supplements can increase a cellular response to insulin being produced (re: your ticket to hormonal balance).
Proper rest - don’t underestimate the power of sleep. It helps restore your body and regenerate cells.

You can begin anywhere on the above list, adding one, maybe two things to your daily schedule, and adding a new one each week. Before you know it, you’ll be doing so many healthy things that are making you feel better, look better and restore your body from the inside-out.

It’s up to you to take care of your body, don’t put the responsibility on others. Do what you know will work, and give your best. Your health is your most precious asset, so take good care of it!

Wondering how you get diagnosed with insulin resistance?According to the Advanced Fertility Center of Texas, “Insulin resistance is diagnosed if the glucose to insulin ratio is greater than 4.5, if the 2 hour glucose tolerance test is greater than 140, or if fasting insulin is greater than 10.”

The best way to address this link with PCOS and insulin resistance is to make sure your lifestyle supports a healthy response to insulin and blood glucose.

Sources: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Symptoms. Advanced Fertility Center of Texas. Houston, TX. http://infertilityanswers.com/PCOS-Symptoms