There’re 4 major and most common types of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS); Insulin-resistance PCOS, Inflammatory PCOS, Post-pill PCOS, and Adrenal PCOS. All these types vary according to the symptoms and severity of the disease. However, the causative agents may be similar to some extent.
PCOS is a combination of health disorders with varying symptoms that may be caused by excess androgen (male hormone), hormonal imbalance, obesity, unhealthy food, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Let’s have a look at the symptoms, causes, and remedies of the most common types PCOS.
Types of PCOS and Their Symptoms
Proper diagnosis and identification of the type of PCOS are crucial for treating this disorder.
Insulin-resistance PCOS; Most Common Type of PCOS
Insulin-resistance or compensatory hyperinsulinemia is the most common form of PCOS, affecting around 65-70% of women. Insulin resistance may cause type 2 diabetes, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and inflammation in females with PCOS.
In this type, your body cells become insensitive to insulin level, so they don’t respond to its increasing effects. Resultantly, the pancreas produces more insulin to signal the cells for the presence of excess insulin. Weight gain is the most frequently occurring problem in Insulin-resistance PCOS sufferers, which may cause constant fatigue and brain fog.
Also Read the article: PCOS and Fatigue
Moreover, a high level of insulin also stimulates androgen hormone production, which can trigger excess hair production on the face, acne, blackheads, and baldness.
Inflammatory PCOS
Untreated and chronic inflammation stimulates the ovaries to produce excess testosterone causing Inflammatory PCOS. Controlling the source of inflammation and avoiding the inflammation triggering factors can significantly reduce the risk of Inflammatory PCOS. An elevated level of inflammatory markers in a blood test may indicate inflammatory PCOS.
The most evident signs of Inflammatory PCOS may include:
- Frequent headaches
- Muscle weakness
- Joint pain
- Bowel problems such as IBS
- Uncontrolled fatigue
- Autoimmune disorders
- Chronic dermatological problems and skin lesions such as psoriasis, hives, or eczema
Adrenal PCOS
According to research, ovaries produce an estimated 60% of androgens while 40% by adrenals. PCOS women may have high level of androgens such as testosterone and DHEA in their bodies.
Insulin resistance or inflammations can trigger adrenal PCOS. Increasing intake of nutrient-rich food, magnesium, zinc, pantothenic acid, and licorice can efficiently reduce the risk of adrenal PCOS.
Post-pill PCOS
Some people who quit taking the oral contraceptive pill develop post-pill PCOS. In this type, symptoms like acne, irregular periods, or excessive hair growth occur immediately after stopping the medication. However, some people also believe that contraceptive pills don’t induce post-pill PCOS rather genetic and environmental factors are more responsible for the disorder.
Post-pill PCOS is usually reversible i.e. you can reduce its symptoms and treat it by taking a healthy, nutrient-rich diet, vitamins, proper sleep, and stress-free life. However, keep in mind that healing this disorder may take time of 4-6 months.
Other side effects of contraceptive pills may include:
- Spotting
- Mood swings and depression
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Headaches
Read the article: Causes of Nausea in Early Pregnancy
Treatment/Remedies for Different Types of PCOS
Here’re some simple tips to prevent or treat different forms of PCOS:
- Regular exercise to burn extra fat and sugar as well as to improve your insulin sensitivity
- Proper sleep of 6-8 hours a day
- De-stress yourself
- Avoid high sugar foods
- Take supplements having magnesium, zinc, and vitamins (vitamin C, B5, B6, and E)
- Avoid caffeine and fizzy drinks
- Increase the intake of omega3 fatty acids
Concluding Remarks
Hopefully, this article has explained all the distinguishing factors of different kinds of PCOS. However, we always recommend consulting your gynecologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
