5 Types of PCOS: Symptoms and Identification Tips for Each Type

One of the lingering questions in the mind of many women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is “did I do something to cause it?” If you find yourself in these shoes, you are not alone. As it turns out, each woman experiencing PCOS has a unique set of imbalances with specific symptoms that need to be addressed. Thus, there is no one-size fits all approach which is why it can get complicated alleviating the symptoms.

Depending on your symptoms, you can have different types of PCOS at the same time. This is why some women experience severe symptoms while others don’t. Thus, it can be overwhelming managing PCOS symptoms. This article takes you through the different types of PCOS and can help you discover what your type might be. This will help you take the next necessary step in your PCOS journey and manage the symptoms effectively.

Types of PCOS

PCOS is a hormonal condition generally characterized by irregular periods, elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) and presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries. In order to treat PCOS, you need to know the type you are dealing with. Here are the 4 main types of PCOS;

• Inflammatory PCOS:

  Most people with PCOS struggle with inflammation. Inflammation is a phenomenon that occurs when your immune system is chronically activated in an attempt to heal or protect tissues causing swelling and other often visible signs. Inflammatory cytokines which are signaling molecules secreted by immune cells are activated which promote inflammation. This type of PCOS presents the following symptoms; fatigue, joint pain, anxiety, etc. Inflammation can prevent ovulation, leading to hormonal imbalance and production of androgens. Inflammation can be caused by stress, environmental toxins, or food sensitivities. Inflammatory cytokines can cause the ovaries to produce excess testosterone and can act on your fat cells to trigger insulin resistance. Thus, inflammation is a contributing factor and hallmark of every type of PCOS.

• Insulin-resistant PCOS:

  This is the most common type of PCOS in people characterized by insulin resistance. Insulin is a critical hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. The symptoms include; uncontrollable cravings, high blood sugar, darkened skin around the neck and weight gain. Thus, inability to make proper use of insulin triggers the production of high levels of testosterone in the ovaries leading to symptoms. These symptoms include irregular periods and ovarian cysts.

• Adrenal Fatigue PCOS:

  This often goes unnoticed and untreated as people mistake this for chronic fatigue. This type of PCOS is triggered by high levels of chronic stress which leads to the production of stress hormone, cortisol. Chronic levels of cortisol converts to testosterone leading to the onset of PCOS symptoms.

• Pill-induced PCOS:

  Prolonged use of oral contraceptives can also lead to the characteristic symptoms of PCOS. This is because hormonal birth control pills can lead to hormonal imbalance which can affect ovulation. Consequently, this hormonal imbalance can destabilize your menstrual cycle and trigger other PCOS symptoms. Fortunately, this type of PCOS is usually temporal and ovulatory function can be restored by appropriate measures.

• Hypothyroidism:

  This is a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland produces low levels of thyroid hormones. These hormones are essential for metabolism and can also impact your sex hormones. Symptoms such as irregular ovulation, insulin resistance, hair loss slow metabolism are magnified in people with hypothyroidism.

What Are the Identification Tips for Each Type of PCOS?

• To identify inflammatory PCOS, you need to look out for signs of inflammation alongside other PCOS symptoms. the signs of inflammation include; joint pain, skin issues, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic pain, headaches, etc
• Insulin resistance in PCOS can be identified by the presence of skin tags, increased cravings for sugar and processed foods, irregular periods, acne or oily skin, rapid weight gain, etc.
• When you experience intense fatigue despite getting adequate amount of sleep at night, difficulty coping with stress, cravings for salty foods, low blood pressure, etc.
• To identify hypothyroidism in PCOS a thyroid function blood test can be carried out to check for elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and low levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).

How to Manage the Symptoms of PCOS

It is important to identify and treat the root cause of PCOS regardless of the type. You can do this by;

• Cutting out processed and sugary foods: These foods can worsen your PCOS symptoms and contribute to insulin resistance. Instead, incorporate whole foods, fruits and vegetables to your diet.
• Incorporate stress reduction strategies and ensure you get adequate sleep and rest
• Use a supplement that improves PCOS symptoms: NATURE’SFIELD MYO-INOSITOL AND D-CHIRO INOSITOL is a safe and natural supplement that addresses the root cause of PCOS; insulin resistance. It also improves other symptoms of PCOS.

Remember that PCOS is a complex hormonal disorder that is difficult to navigate on your own. However, you say goodbye to acne irregular periods, and transform and regulate your hormones with NATURE’SFIELD MYO-INOSITOL AND D-CHIRO INOSITOL.