WHAT CAUSES PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown however there are a variety of different hormone imbalances that impact the severity and range of symptoms.
What is currently understood is that insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate the level of glucose in the blood. Many women with PCOS have been found to have a condition known as insulin resistance, in which the body’s tissues are resistant to the effects of insulin (particularly on the ability of insulin to get glucose into muscle tissue), so the body has to produce more insulin to compensate. High levels of Insulin can cause the ovaries to produce too much testosterone and can also cause us to gain weight - excess body fat in turn can make us produce more insulin.
For some there are abnormalities in some of the hormones that control the menstrual cycle. These abnormalities typically include:
Women with PCOS can produce higher than average amounts of testosterone from the ovaries, and this in turn can cause influence some of the more physical symptoms of PCOS. Testosterone is often thought of as a ‘male hormone’, but this is not the case – it is just that men produce 10 times as much testosterone as women. Women with PCOS usually have a testosterone measurement that is either slightly above the female range or at the upper end of the normal range for women.Testosterone is a normal and essential product of the ovary because most of it is converted, within the ovarian follicle, to oestrogen, which is the main female hormone.
It is not yet fully understand what causes these hormonal abnormalities. It may be that there are several causes, which could explain why different women have such different symptoms. There is research into Genetic factors as well. If female relatives have PCOS there is a higher chance that you are at risk and if male relatives have early male pattern balding and/or severe acne this is also thought to indicate a possible PCOS 'gene'. However research is not conclusive and factors such as diet and lifestyle are also being investigated as triggers for the condition.
What is currently understood is that insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate the level of glucose in the blood. Many women with PCOS have been found to have a condition known as insulin resistance, in which the body’s tissues are resistant to the effects of insulin (particularly on the ability of insulin to get glucose into muscle tissue), so the body has to produce more insulin to compensate. High levels of Insulin can cause the ovaries to produce too much testosterone and can also cause us to gain weight - excess body fat in turn can make us produce more insulin.
For some there are abnormalities in some of the hormones that control the menstrual cycle. These abnormalities typically include:
- Higher than normal levels of LH (Luteinising Hormone) which stimulates ovulation
- Higher than normal levels of androgens such as Testosterone.
- Below normal levels of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) secreted by the pituatary gland to develop follicles for ovulation
- Below normal levels of Progesterone which regulates the thickness of endometrial lining
- Below normal levels of SHBG (Sex-binding Hormone Globulin) a protein in the blood that regulates the levels of testosterone
Women with PCOS can produce higher than average amounts of testosterone from the ovaries, and this in turn can cause influence some of the more physical symptoms of PCOS. Testosterone is often thought of as a ‘male hormone’, but this is not the case – it is just that men produce 10 times as much testosterone as women. Women with PCOS usually have a testosterone measurement that is either slightly above the female range or at the upper end of the normal range for women.Testosterone is a normal and essential product of the ovary because most of it is converted, within the ovarian follicle, to oestrogen, which is the main female hormone.
It is not yet fully understand what causes these hormonal abnormalities. It may be that there are several causes, which could explain why different women have such different symptoms. There is research into Genetic factors as well. If female relatives have PCOS there is a higher chance that you are at risk and if male relatives have early male pattern balding and/or severe acne this is also thought to indicate a possible PCOS 'gene'. However research is not conclusive and factors such as diet and lifestyle are also being investigated as triggers for the condition.
