THE 4 TYPES OF PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, commonly abbreviated to PCOS is a complex hormonal condition that affects around 10% of women. If you’re reading this, chances are you are one of these women, suspect you may be or knows someone in your life with it.
So, let's learn a little more about this condition.
What is PCOS?
In simple terms, PCOS is a hormonal condition that can cause irregular cycles & other unwanted symptoms including:
Acne
Excessive oil production
Hirsutism, or unwanted hair-growth on face & body
Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Thinning hair/hair loss on head
Irregular periods or no periods
Dark skin patches
Difficulty falling pregnant
In PCOS, these symptoms are typically caused by hormonal imbalance, particularly an excess of androgens (male hormones). While this is true, there are a few different pathologies that can result in these high levels of androgens.
Fun fact: The name Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can be a little misleading as the ‘cysts’ in PCOS are not really cysts but actually an increased number of follicles/immature eggs around the ovaries!
PCOS Treatment
Conventional treatment of PCOS is often focused on masking the unwanted symptoms in a one-size-fits-all approach. Oftentimes this means going on the pill to “balance your hormones” & “regulate your cycle” or lose weight which is already a hard task when it comes to PCOS! This becomes problematic as it doesn’t address the root causes!
The naturopathic approach seeks to do just that — finding & treating the root cause on a case-by-case basis. a good place to start is knowing & understanding the 4 different types of PCOS.
the 4 types of pcos
Insulin-resistant pcos
The most prevalent type of PCOS, insulin resistance means having elevated insulin levels & occurs when our cells become numb/resistant to the effects of insulin. When insulin is elevated, then that will be the driving cause behind high androgens & insulin-resistant PCOS. This can manifest as acne, unwanted hair growth & male pattern hair loss.
In cases of insulin-resistant PCOS, weight management is generally a common struggle, especially around the abdominal area & can also include having sugar cravings & brain fog.
The best way to test for insulin resistance is to get a blood test measuring your fasting insulin, rather than glucose, or HbA1c.
Treatment in the case of insulin-resistant PCOS is focused mainly on reversing insulin resistance/increasing insulin-sensitivity which can be done via a variety of lifestyle and nutritional interventions including:
Regular movement & exercise.
Dietary adjustments including limiting high-sugar & simple carbohydrates while increasing protein & healthy fats.
Prioritising good sleep & recovery
Managing stress
Introducing therapeutic-grade supplements &/or herbs. Please work alongside a qualified naturopath for safe dosing & treatment plans catered to you.
Post-pill pcos
Just as it sounds, post-pill PCOS is typically a temporary condition that commences after stopping the oral contraceptive pill (OCP).
When this happens, there is a big surge of androgens produced by your ovaries resulting in those androgen-dominant, PCOS symptoms including, acne, hirsutism & irregular periods.
These symptoms can appear anywhere between 3 to even 6 months of coming off the pill. However it is important to remember that post-pill PCOS is typically temporary & can heal on it’s own in the absence of other underlying conditions. This process can also be accelerated with supporting treatment including:
Supplementation of specific nutrients & herbs to help bridge any deficiencies & help with re-balancing hormones.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits like sleep, movement & stress management to aid in overall happy hormones.
Inflammatory pcos
In inflammatory PCOS, chronic inflammation drives the ovaries to produce excessive testosterone, resulting in issues with ovulation as well as physical symptoms. Some of these include: fatigue, skin issues like acne & eczema, headaches, sore joints & gut problems.
The treatment for inflammatory PCOS involves identifying & correct the underlying source(s) of inflammation including:
Poor gut health, diet & dietary sensitivities.
Looking at exaggerated immune responses or histamine intolerances.
Incorporating natural anti-inflammatories into the treatment plan. Some great ones include fish oils, zinc, turmeric & NAC. Please consult with a professional on dosing & any contraindications for safety & efficacy.
Adrenal PCOS
Adrenal PCOS accounts for about 10% of all PCOS cases & is caused by chronic stress & a poorly regulated stress response, resulting in irregular or missing periods, weight gain & other symptoms of PCOS.
When it comes to PCOS, there is typically an elevation of all androgens including testosterone, androstenedione & DHEAS from the adrenal glands. If you have only elevated DHEAS present with normal testosterone & androstenedione levels, you may be experiencing adrenal PCOS.
Treatment for adrenal PCOS will typically prioritise nourishing & modulating the adrenals to restore balance in cortisol & subsequently your other sex-hormones. This may look like:
Prioritising stress management via activities like meditation, mindfulness, movement & journalling to support a healthy nervous system.
Ensuring good sleep & recovery.
Reducing or avoiding caffeine intake from coffee, teas & energy drinks.
Avoiding high intensity training or exercise as this can further stress the adrenals.
Take supplements & herbs to support a healthy nervous system response & adaptogenic properties to support your body & adapt better to stress. Some helpful nutrients & herbs include magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, B vitamins, withania, licorice & rhodiola. Again, always consult with a practitioner for dosing & safety!
Troubleshooting
It’s never silly to ask for a second (or third, or fourth) opinion if you feel that something is not quite right or you simply have questions.
If seeking help from a naturopath who will assist you in searching for the root cause of your condition & treating you as a person rather than your symptoms, please do get in touch. Book in for an initial consult for 1:1 sessions or start with a free discovery call to see how we can help you at Homebody.
