Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS, is a hormone disorder. This condition causes an imbalance of hormones, where usually there is an excess of testosterone. About 10% of all women suffer from PCOS.

Normal signs and symptoms of PCOS are acne, oily skin and hair, excess hair growth, hair thinning, weight gain, trouble losing weight, darkened skin patches, irregular periods, and trouble getting pregnant.

The cause of PCOS is unknown, but there are some things that put you at higher risk for it. If you have a mother or sister with PCOS, miscarriages, premature deliveries, infertility, endometrial cancer, type 2 diabetes, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, abnormal bleeding, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, or high blood sugar.

There are 4 types of PCOS. Your treatment plan will depend on what type of PCOS you have.

4 Types Of PCOS

Insulin Resistance PCOS

The most common form of PCOS that affects about 70% of women who have PCOS is insulin resistance PCOS. This can affect both lean and obese women who have PCOS. This type can cause high insulin levels that prevent ovulation and trigger your ovaries to create testosterone.

Symptoms of this type are weight gain, difficulty losing weight, sugar cravings, fatigue, and brain fog.

This type is usually diagnosed with a fasting insulin test. Insulin resistance can be caused by excess sugar, smoking, environmental toxins, or eating trans-fats.

The best course of treatment is to give up sugar. Start cutting it out of your diet. Trying a low carbohydrate diet can help with this type of PCOS. Regular exercise of any kind can be helpful, walking, running, HIIT workouts, or yoga. Getting your body moving purposefully. Prioritizing sleep and reducing stress is also important.

Supplements such as magnesium, and chromium can also be deemed effective with this type of PCOS.

Pill-Induced PCOS

The second most common type of PCOS is pill-induced PCOS. This occurs usually 3-6 months after stopping the pill. If your periods were regular before you started the pill, and your luteinizing hormone levels have increased can both be indicators that you have pill-induced PCOS. After stopping the pill your period should come back normal as well as ovulation. Sometimes this doesn’t always happen.

Symptoms of pill-induced PCOS are acne, irregular periods, excess hair growth that weren’t present before you started the pill. This type may reverse on its own over time, but can take up to a few months to a year.

Supplements that can be helpful are magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and zinc.

Making sure you prioritize sleep and stress management is also beneficial.

Inflammatory PCOS

Another type of PCOS is inflammatory PCOS. This is when the inflammation in the body is high which causes the ovaries to produce excess testosterone. This type of can cause physical symptoms as well as issues with ovulation. Inflammation in the body can be caused by stress, toxins, the environment, gluten, and dairy.

Symptoms can include headaches, joint pain, unexplained fatigue, and bowel issues that are similar to irritable bowel syndrome.

This type of PCOS is usually diagnosed with a blood panel. Your blood count may show up as not normal, your vitamin D levels may be low, and your thyroid levels may have increased, but may still be in the “normal” range.

The important thing to focus on is lowering inflammation in the body. You can do an anti-inflammatory diet. Add natural anti-inflammatories such as turmeric, and omega 3 fatty acids. Make sure you remove food triggers, this could be dairy, gluten, processed meats, alcohol, or foods with preservatives.

Work on your gut health. Getting the gut bacteria balanced, repairing leaky gut, improving digestive enzymes, and eliminating pathogenic bacteria.

Adrenal PCOS

The last and least common type of PCOS is adrenal PCOS. This is caused by an abnormal stress response.

This type of PCOS can sometimes go undiagnosed. It is usually found by an endocrinologist.

Manage stress, get enough sleep each night, avoid high intensity training, and avoid caffeine can all help lower stress in the body.

Supplements that can be helpful are magnesium, vitamin B5, and vitamin C. Herbs that can also help lower stress are withania, rhodiola, and liquorice.

Female Hormone Imbalance: There are 4 types of PCOS! Symptoms and treatments are different for each one. #HealthSurgeon

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Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/inflammatory-pcos#takeaway
https://www.indiraivf.com/blog/types-of-pcos
https://www.emilyjensennutrition.com/blog/4-types-of-pcos-and-how-to-know-which-one-you-have
https://www.ndtv.com/health/types-of-pcos-did-you-know-there-are-4-types-of-pcos-find-out-their-causes-and-treatments-2515009
https://www.pcosliving.com/pcos-living-blog/types-of-pcos