Atlantic Endocrinology New York City

Managing The Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common condition that affects about 1 in 10 reproductive-aged women. PCOS causes the reproductive hormones to be out of balance, which can lead to the ovaries becoming enlarged and developing many small cysts.

Managing the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

At Atlantic Endocrinology & Diabetes Center we know that symptoms of PCOS include irregular or missed periods, hirsutism (excess hair growth on the face and body), acne, glucose intolerance, weight gain or obesity, and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Many women with PCOS also struggle with infertility. Additionally, the chronic lack of menstruation puts women with PCOS at a higher risk for uterine cancer.

Identifying your PCOS type

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that causes ovaries to produce abnormal amounts of androgen, or male sex, hormones.

As the name implies, a large number of small fluid-filled sacs called cysts often develop in the ovaries of those affected.

PCOS is a frequently under-diagnosed endocrine disorder affecting 1 in 5 women globally. The first step towards managing this is to identify your PCOS type to understand possible treatment options.

PCOS Types And Treatment

4 Types of PCOS

There are four main kinds of PCOS:

1.Insulin resistance PCOS

Insulin resistance is the most common trigger for PCOS. This is the most common type of PCOS, affecting around 70% of people.

It happens when our cells become “numb” to the effects of insulin, which causes the pancreas to make more insulin than normal.

This type of PCOS comes with struggles with your weight—especially gaining weight around the stomach/abdomen—sugar cravings, as well as symptoms like fatigue or brain fog.

2.Post-pill PCOS

Post-pill PCOS presents in some women after they’ve stopped taking oral contraceptive pills. The pill suppresses ovulation so that you don’t get pregnant.

Once off the pill, women experience an increase in androgen production, which causes symptoms such as acne, hair growth on the body, irregular periods and hair loss on the head.

3.Inflammatory PCOS

Chronic inflammation causes a hormone imbalance by suppressing ovulation (so you don’t make progesterone) and increasing the production of testosterone.

Symptoms of this type of PCOS include headaches and joint pain, fatigue, skin issues like eczema, and bowel problems like IBS.

4.Adrenal PCOS

This type presents itself as a response to unusual amounts of stress. The adrenal organs are responsible for controlling the stress response, and end up producing another form of androgen as a result of stress, causing symptoms similar to the other types of PCOS.

Other causes of PCOS: Some women present symptoms of PCOS but do not get a diagnosis of the four main types of PCOS.

These symptoms are usually caused by vitamin deficiencies, food intolerances, thyroid disease, and malnutrition.

There are also women whose trigger is never found, but the treatments, especially lifestyle modifications, remain helpful in keeping the symptoms in check.

Can I Get Pregnant With it?

Having polycystic ovary syndrome doesn’t mean pregnancy is off the table, but PCOS often leads to a hormonal imbalance that interferes with ovulation.

If you are not ovulating, it is not possible to conceive naturally. However, most cases of PCOS are treatable.

Research has shown that both diet and lifestyle factors can be a good first step in starting to address PCOS and there’s a lot we can try from a nutritional approach to try to bring the symptoms back in balance.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Reduce your sugar intake – when we feel tired or low in mood, we often reach for sugary snacks to get us through the day or to make us feel better.

But this can be making the problem worse and feeding the high blood sugar levels, which in turn can drive hormone imbalances.

If you are feeling tired and in need of a snack opt for a protein based snack like nuts and seeds, or vegetable sticks and hummus. See my blog on blood sugar balance for more tips.

1. Opt for complex carbohydrates like sweet potato, brown rice, wholewheat pasta or brown rice pasta and quinoa instead of white potatoes, white bread or white rice or white pasta.

Carbohydrates all eventually break down into sugars, so going for complex carbohydrates slows down the rate at which they turn into sugar, helping to keep both your blood sugar and hormone levels in balance.

1. Manage your stress levels – living with a condition like PCOS is stressful, but the more stressed we are, the more inflammation there is in the body, the more out of balance our hormones are and the more we hold on to sugar in the bloodstream.

Stress can make conditions like PCOS worse, so doing something every day to help manage the effects of stress on the body can really help. Go for a walk, have a soak in the bath or do some gentle stretches, have a look at my stress blog for more ideas.

Can It Be Cured?

While there is no cure for polycystic ovary syndrome, many of the symptoms are easily treatable making it possible to conceive.

Consult with your healthcare professional at Atlantic Endocrinology & Diabetes Center, New York, to determine the best course of action based on your specific symptoms.

Certain medicines and pills can be taken to manage the symptoms of PCOS. Hormonal birth control like the pill, patch, shot, and vaginal ring can help balance out your menstrual cycle, reduce facial hair, and prevent acne.

Speak with your doctor to determine which method is right for you.

It is possible to induce ovulation in the ovaries using certain medications. The medication will promote the development of one or more mature follicles in the ovaries of women who are unable to ovulate naturally.

There are five major types of medications used: Clomid, aromatase inhibitors like Femara and letrozole, injectable gonadotropins, the GnRH pump, and Bromocriptine. You should consult with your healthcare professional to see which of these medications is right for your unique situation.

What Do Endocrinologists Do For Diabetes?

Managing diabetes is a long-term commitment, and sometimes the guidance of a specialist is needed to stay on track. While primary care physicians play a crucial role in your care.

Take charge of your diabetes with expert care from our top endocrinologist in Queens, NY!

How is Endocrinology Related to Diabetes?

Endocrinology is directly related to diabetes because diabetes is an endocrine disorder that affects how the body regulates blood sugar. The pancreas, an endocrine gland, either doesn’t produce enough insulin—the hormone responsible for controlling blood glucose levels—or the body is unable to use insulin effectively. This lack of insulin function causes elevated blood sugar levels, leading to serious health complications if not managed properly.

Managing diabetes is crucial because its long-term effects can include:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Kidney damage
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Eye damage (retinopathy)

Given these risks, it’s important to maintain a close watch on blood sugar levels and follow a proper diet and nutrition plan to control the disease.

Endocrinology, together with nutrition, is vital in treating diabetes. Endocrinologists focus on diagnosing and managing endocrine disorders like diabetes by:

• Identifying abnormal blood sugar levels early
• Establishing personalized treatment based on factors like age, lifestyle, genetics, and other medical conditions
• Preventing complications associated with diabetes

Endocrinologists supervise the use of insulin, adjusting doses as needed, educating patients on how to administer it properly, and continuously monitoring blood glucose levels to ensure optimal control. This coordinated care helps prevent the more serious complications of diabetes and improves overall quality of life.nt the more serious complications of diabetes and improves overall quality of life.

What Does an Endocrinologist Do For Diabetes?

An endocrinologist plays a crucial role in managing diabetes mellitus, a condition caused by the improper function of insulin. Insulin is essential for regulating blood sugar levels, but when it doesn’t work correctly, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) occurs, which can lead to serious health issues.

The body uses insulin to allow glucose (a type of sugar) to enter cells and provide them with energy. Without proper insulin function, glucose builds up in the blood rather than being absorbed by cells, leaving individuals fatigued despite having high levels of sugar in the blood. Endocrinologists help patients manage this imbalance by:

• Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly
• Adjusting insulin therapy to ensure the body can use glucose effectively
• Educating patients on how to properly administer insulin
• Developing personalized treatment plans that consider lifestyle, diet, and other health conditions

Endocrinologists also help prevent complications such as dehydration, which occurs when the body pulls water from cells in an attempt to dilute the excess glucose in the blood, and long-term issues such as nerve, kidney, and eye damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar.

How About type 2 diabetes?

In type 2 diabetes, the body still produces insulin, but the cells become resistant to it, meaning insulin can’t unlock cells to allow glucose in. This results in a similar buildup of glucose in the blood, leading to fatigue, thirst, and dehydration, much like in type 1 diabetes.

Endocrinologists assist patients with type 2 diabetes by:

• Prescribing medications to increase insulin sensitivity
• Monitoring blood sugar levels and adjusting treatment plans as needed
• Providing dietary recommendations to help maintain stable glucose levels
• Offering lifestyle guidance, including exercise routines, to help manage insulin resistance

With the help of an endocrinologist, patients can better manage type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of complications, ensuring a higher quality of life.

Can Diabetes Lead to Bone Problems?

If you have diabetes mellitus—commonly known as diabetes—you will be aware of potential complications of diabetes that may affect different body organs, including the eyes, kidneys, and heart.

At Atlantic Endocrinology & Diabetes Center we know and understand that there is one more thing risk to consider—and that is your risk for bone diseases.

Compared to people without diabetes, people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have a higher risk for fractures, especially of the hip.

How diabetes affects bone health

The mechanisms behind diabetic bone disease are not entirely clear. Whether bone fragility happens alongside diabetes or is itself a complication of diabetes is a point of debate.

Diabetes mellitus changes your bone metabolism, which is one of the significant long-term complications we see in diabetes.

Diabetes increases the risk of periodontitis or gum disease. This leads to what we call alveolar bone loss, weakening the bones.

One complication of diabetes is microangiopathy, which is a disease of the small blood vessels. Microangiopathy is a type of microvascular disease related to bone mineral density, bone structure, and bone turnover.

What indicators of bone problems should healthcare professionals look for?

People with diabetes have the same risk factors for fracture as all adults. These risk factors include low BMD, falls, older age, being female, prior fracture, low body mass index, reduced physical activity, use of glucocorticoids, smoking, and consuming too much alcohol.

In patients with diabetes, there are other risk factors to look for, like having the disease for 5 years or longer and high glucose levels. If patients have hypoglycemia, that’s also going to increase their risk for falls and fractures.

At Atlantic Endocrinology & Diabetes Center we also know that some diabetes complications are associated with higher fall and fracture risk. These complications include peripheral neuropathy, poor vision, muscle weakness, and kidney disease NIH external link. They are all targets for treatment.

Bone Diseases Linked to Diabetes

Bone diseases associated with diabetes include osteoporosis, osteopenia, Charcot foot, diabetic hand syndrome, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, frozen shoulder, and Dupuytren’s contracture.

Osteoporosis

One of the most common bone diseases is osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissues. It can lead to bone instability and increased risk of fractures of the hips, wrists, knees, and spine.

Osteopenia

In osteopenia, bones are weaker than usual. However, bone mass and density are not low enough to cause bones to break easily. Osteopenia can be seen as a middle point between having strong, healthy bones and having osteoporosis.

Charcot Foot

Also known as Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy, Charcot foot is a complication of diabetes that causes deformities in the foot and ankle. Symptoms include swelling, redness, and visible deformity.

Diabetic Hand Syndrome

Diabetic hand syndrome, also known as diabetic cheiroarthropathy, is a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes where finger movement is limited, and the hands become waxy and thick. Diabetic hand syndrome is more common in people with long-standing, uncontrolled diabetes.

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), also called Forestier disease, is a type of arthritis that affects tendons and ligaments—mainly in the spine. DISH causes tissues to become calcified (hardened) and bone spurs to develop in areas of the spine that connect to bone.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, results when ligaments around the shoulder become inflamed and stiff. Both inflammation and diabetes make routine healing harder, causing the shoulder joint to become so stiff that it can make the simplest activities­—like buttoning a shirt­—difficult.

Dupuytren’s Contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture, also called palmar fascia, is a hand condition that gradually causes the connective tissues under the skin of the hand to become thick and severely scarred. While the disease is not always painful, it does restrict movement in the fingers and may cause them to curl and bend towards the palm.

Takeaways

High blood sugar increases the fragility of joints and weakens muscles. Managing BSL and ensuring you get sufficient exercise will help reduce the risk of joint problems.

Complement your exercise with a healthy, nutritious diet, preferably plant-based. Of course, the best solution is to fully reverse your diabetes; and this is realistically achievable through a proper plan involving diet, exercise, stress management, and medical supervision.